Finished week 9 after more than 1 year!

[beijingsmog]

Today, I finally finished the C25K after starting in January 2015 - not sure if this is a record. It's not like I did a few runs back then and then didn't start again for a year - I started - after never having run since primary school, and now am 48 - and got to week 3, got bronchitis, had to go back to beginning again.

Got to week 6, dropped a heavy wooden wardrobe door on my toe, fractured it, had to stop, went back to beginning again. Then came the hideously hot and humid summer here in Beijing (today is April, I ran in nearly 30 Celsius this afternoon), and also high levels of air pollution, and you can't do outdoor exercise on those days. I used to run after work in the early hours of the morning with my dog (I work until after midnight) in the heat, but then I adopted another stray dog with a twisted front paw, and he can't run (well he would, but he shouldn't).

I started again in the autumn when temperatures went down, but then all through October/November we had a long run of pollution - we didn't see any blue sky for over 2 months. No running.

So, in January, I started again, and apart from being halted by a few polluted days, and a back problem, I have actually managed to finish all runs. I can't always run on  the exact days I should, as it gets interrupted by pollution or life, but I have done 3 30-minute runs in the last 8 days, and it feels fine.

I should also mention that I was overweight when i started, and I still am, although I feel much fitter (I always ride my bike too, and there is dog walking) and my clothes do feel much looser.

I wasn't sure that I was running the 5K inside the 30 minutes, but today I remembered to wear the fitbit, and it says I did over 6k including the walking.

So I just want to say for all the people who think they can't do this, that you definitely can - if i can, with all these interruptions and never having run, and still being overweight, then anyone can!

And the most unlikely thing I discovered - I actually like running!

Do I get a graduation badge?!

[Rignold]

Well done. You deserve an extra badge for perseverance.

[beijingsmog in reply to Rignold]

I do, don't I?

[secan Graduate in reply to beijingsmog]

Yep! But that too will take over one year to arrive... 😆

Jokes aside, congratulations for your perseverance and commitment; welcome to the graduates' club! 🙂

[Anaverageman Graduate]

well done to you 

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Poor you having to cope with all that.  We are lucky in Cambridgeshire.  Apart from the bloody smokers outside Sainsburys, where you really need a gas mask to get through, the air is pretty clean here!  Well done for your mammouth journey to graduation!

[beijingsmog in reply to useitorloseit]

Thanks - now what shall I aim for?

[Sivaram007 Graduate]

Hats off for completing it. I would have given up if I were you. Keep going

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I agree with Rignold.. A badge for totally, hanging in there!

You do get your Graduation Badge..click on the link at the side.

I cannot imagine running under those conditions.. and no blue sky! I shall stop moaning about the weather today!

Go get your badge..Congratulations!

[Ucandothis Graduate]

Well done - you really do deserve something wonderful having gone through all that!  It puts our UK successes in the shade!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Goodness - well done.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Eeck.  Heat and smog.  That's brutal.  Well done for perseverance.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Wow! That shows true dedication. Keep it up and congratulations! You should certainly get your graduation badge - you've earned it!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Fantastic achievement, huge well done, and in that heat... very brave.