red faced, sweaty and I stink to high heaven but I couldn't be prouder...

[pollyp1]

ran / walked wk4r3 after a day of doing nothing but sleeping and lazing around watching 3 hours of the great british sewing bee (in my defense I did have a migraine), following a teeny tiny 'gosh this is getting boring' thought on Wednesday so I was a little worried that today would be tough. However I took someone's (Old Floss, I think) advice about a longer warm up following an injury, varied my route and ****** loved it. Despite having been a convert since day 1 I found I was able to worry less about what I was doing and just enjoy the physicality of it today. It helped that I consciously relaxed my shoulders and neck.

Not only am I proud of me ( a rarity...) I am proud of all of us and anyone - forum or not - runner or not - who attempts to improve themselves.

Happy running, peeps.

[melly4012 Graduate]

What a lovely post. I've also felt proud of myself in a way I never have done before. Imagine how we'll feel on that graduation run!!!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to melly4012]

I'll be insufferable! I can't quite believe that this time next week I'll have done 20 mins no-stop! Where are you in all of this?

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

Completed W7R2 last night - my first run outside and loved it! If you click on people's names then you can see their previous posts. I find it really interesting to track people's journeys and compare how they felt at the beginning (often exercise phobic), how they were feeling at the stage I'm at now and then see how far they've come!! So inspiring!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to melly4012]

I was just reading your post about it - fab stuff (and a stunning view)! It is inspiring isn't it? I'm quite intrigued by this pride thing at the moment - for me I think it's something to do with the fact that I can see the results from run to run and I carry it with me, quite literally, and that this is something I'm doing totally and utterly for me, yes, others will benefit from the results but that's not my motivation - other things I've achieved aren't quite so literal. Good luck with the last two weeks!

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

Yes, I agree! This exercise lark is so unnatural for me that it's definitely the biggest sense of achievement I've ever felt! It's the thing that I've never been good at and never enjoyed so it's amazing that I'm running for 25 minutes and enjoying it! I think you're right that the progress is tangible and we see it every week, if not after every run. Just think, you'll be running for 20 minutes non-stop in a week! Keep it up!

[IanD62 Graduate in reply to melly4012]

Hi Just look at your post, we are at the same stage done r2 this evening and sharing the same thoughts as you...who would have thought 25 mins 😊

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to IanD62]

I just can't believe how amazing the programme is. I would have laughed in someone's face had they told me I'd be doing this 2 months ago! Not far til graduation now!!

[IanD62 Graduate in reply to melly4012]

4 runs until graduation whoop whoop😃

[Slowstart Graduate]

Keep hold of that sense of pride and achievement, you've earnt it. I know what you mean by the running being purely for you, that was part of the attraction for me. During the program your achievements are so utterly startling, and you keep wondering 'how can I go from running for only one minute to this in such a short space of time'. There are also some surprising benefits you will discover along the way, which you would never have thought running would give, I hope you discover these too.

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Slowstart]

Thankyou - it's already given me so much more than I ever imagined! I look forward to discovering the rest...

[poppypug Graduate]

Great stuff Polly !

Yep, you've got this , its a life changer

Well done xxx

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Poppy, it really is quite amazing x

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

lovely post- totally agree with you about feeling proud! I have always been one of lifes worriers and a huge self-doubter. Running has had a huge impact on my confidence and self-belief. Good luck with week 5!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thankyou! It is amazing isn't it, I already did a lot of walking and I can't believe the difference. I also can't believe that this time next week I'll have done 20 mins. I have a vision of all these newly confident running women (and men) rising up and taking over the world!

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

Yep! That's us😀 - empowering stuff this running! The 20 min barrier is a special one. Also, as your runs get longer, make sure you stay strong mentally and ignore any 'gremlin activity' telling you otherwise! Trust in the programme and those of us who have been in exactly the same place. Look forward to hearing how next week goes🙂

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

The only tiny bit of gremlin activity so far was boredom on Wednesday but I varied my route and kicked it into touch! I'm a little disconcerted by 20 mins only being two runs away but its worked so far, so I shall just keep believing!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

And we, polly, are proud of you too!

[Sammully Graduate]

I keep telling anyone that will listen about c25k I think it's fab and the sense of achievement that you get from it. Think my work colleagues might be trying to avoid me, perhaps I've mentioned it a little bit too much.......

[misswobble Graduate]

Well that's what we're here for. A sounding board! We can talk for England about our running exploits. We all get it!

Well done Polly! Good luck with your next run!

Speaking of the Sewing Bee! The male judge (can't recall his name) is at the cycling event near me next week. Patrick!! That's im! He is a bit of a cyclist apparently. He's taking part in the "man of steel" competition, which involves miles and miles of cycling the peaks, and judging the best outfits afterwards. It's a vintage cycling event and there's a pageant of folks in vintage dress with their vintage bikes. All very naice. Can't wait!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for the good wishes. Sounds fab - the cycling!