That's it - I've started...

[hwr21]

Week 9 - Run 3 all done and dusted - and I managed to get the 5k within 30 minutes so pretty chuffed with myself. 

Seriously, anyone considering C25K MUST give it a go. 

I'm someone who was overweight and couldn't even run for a bus. Now I'm running 5k in 30 minutes. Only advice I would give anyone is stick to the programme like glue - it works. 

Park run is next for my 'graduation - celebration' run. 

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum as well. As the weeks have gone by, I've taken great encouragement is hearing the struggles (they matched my own) and the victories (which spurred me on). 

So I would say I've finished but in truth, this is just the beginning. At this stage in my life I have no particular ambition to do 10k or a half marathon but more than happy (determined even) to maintain this level of fitness for a long time to come. 

Thanks everyone..  

[B0bP Graduate]

Congratulations, well done. A great time too.

[barmybint Graduate]

Congratulations on graduation - super speedy too!

[jt24 Graduate]

Congratulations

Hitting the 5k too- well jel'!

3 x 30 min runs seems to be fine and dandy in fitness terms. Reckon your distance will increase 'naturally' though, bet 10k will beckon!!

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done! Consolidate the 5km runs for now...

[PippiRuns]

Congratulations! Keep it up - and keep us posted about the post-C25K life as a runner. I have already started thinking about what or who is going to keep me on track and motivated when I graduate... would love to hear your thoughts on that in a couple of weeks

[Hidden]

Well done , big congratulations on graduating 😊

[NJA95 Graduate]

That's so great, well done! 

[gdcgray Graduate]

Congratulations! 

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done , Many Congratulations to you on your Graduation !

Dont forget to ask for your Graduates Badge .....

Careful, this running bug bites

Enjoy parkrun and Happy Running ! xxx

[builtforcomfort Graduate]

Congratulations, that is a really good time too.  Enjoy your parkrun, we are going back again for more this week - the atmosphere really helps you along too.

[Littlemissronnie]

That's so encouraging! Well done and thanks for sharing!

[JayBeeToo Graduate]

Well done.  I remember saying I had no ambition to do 10k when I finished C25K nearly 2 years ago..  After doing a Parkrun and enjoying it so much, I ended up entering 10k races and even a 12k race! It can be addictive. I did my first sprint triathlon last year.  Whatever you do keep enjoying it.  BTW, I'm 60 this year.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Congratulations

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating!  You're right about this really being the beginning of your running journey. I graduated a few months ago when I was 50, with the same goal of running 30mins x 3 a week. Now I am up to 10k on my long run with my first events coming up in May😮 - definately a very addictive pastime this running, so never say 'never'!

[OldPapaBear Graduate]

Congratulations and a super time 👏 I to am happy with maintaining this level of fitness and not really interested in doing longer distances. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on how things go... Now it's time to celebrate and collect the prize 🏅🎽

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

Fantastic, no bus will ever slip away from you now. I think come next winter what will be tricky is to keep motivated. I don't know about other runners but having some kind of goal keeps me motivated and running. A change of music, listening to audio books, doing park runs, working on distance or speed, running with others, finding new places to run can all be helpful for keeping you at it. On the programme we had a constantly challenge and the goal to graduate. Afterwards it needs more thought. If you get bored at some stage you can try the c25k+ podcasts. I agree though maintaining this level of fitness is already fantastic, no need to run 10k or more if you don't want to but your body might let you know it wants to one day!

[hwr21 Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Good advice - thank you 

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Well done. It's a wonderful program isnt it

I think you are right to consolidate your 5km distance for now.  The important thing is to just enjoy your running. You are certainly doing enough as far as health benefits go.  From a health point of view, I don't think it matters if you never do more than 5km 3 times per week.

As others have said though, it would be surprising if in a few weeks time, you didnt feel the desire to add a little bit of distance from time to time, just because you feel you so easily can   This running is so addictive, especially if you progress gently

Happy Running

[pinklady2499 Graduate]

Fantastic! Huge well done

[CoachDi]

So good to hear your story. Just completed R1WK1 and you've inspired me.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Well done you ! Massive congratulations 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️