📢 Graduation, 5K and ducks

[Pushing60]

I've only gone and done it!

Didn't get out as early as I intended, for starters I didn't get up early enough and when I did, a lot of procrastination ensued.

After a cup of coffee, banana and a cheeky square of Green & Blacks chocolate off I went with mixed feelings. I know I can run for 30 minutes so was pretty sure that I would graduate today, but I really wanted to run my first 5K too and wasn't quite so confident about that.

A little distraction during my 5 minute warm up walk, shepherding a duck from the middle of the road onto the pavement. I live on a large housing estate and not what I expected to see around the corner from home. Having said that, I did see a goose on the green on another run not so long ago. Any way I diversify ..............

It wasn't my most enjoyable run, warmer than I thought it would be and muggy. At times I felt nauseous, now I'm not sure if that was the chocolate protesting within me or the vile smell of dog sh1te which seemed to hang in the air in certain areas, I suspect it was a mixture of both.

I reached 4K at 28 minutes, by which time I was struggling, slowing right down. I almost stopped there and then, if I hadn't announced on here my 5K intention, I'm sure I would have done. You all spurred me on without knowing. I found the last dregs of energy in my tank and pushed on.

5.02k in 36:50 minutes with my best average of 7:21 minutes per kilometre. Yippee!

I've rambled on long enough but I would just like to say this wonderful, friendly community played a massive part in helping me reach my goal. I'm sure I would have given up weeks ago without your support and advise. Reading of all your experiences, good and not so good, made me realise I could do this and that I wasn't suffering/fighting gremlins/doubting on my own.

A huge thank you to everyone from one proud graduate. I did it!!!!!!! xx

[Lornia Graduate]

That's fantastic! What an achievement. Well done😀

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Lornia]

Thank you! I'm so pleased.

I really was one of those people who would miss a bus rather than run for it, now I'm running 3 times a week and up to 5K. Happy, happy, happy.

[sparky66 Graduate in reply to Pushing60]

I remember about week five left work and bus was at the stop a few yards away.. now before begining on c25k I wouldn't even had attempted to try running for it.. bus that day as I sat on the seat I had a silly chuffed grin on my face.

Even better.. now a days I'd rather walk for the excercise

[90ldfinch Graduate]

Brilliant work Pushing60 - congratulations!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to 90ldfinch]

Thank you, it been a good weekend for us graduates hasn't it. No cheering crowds for me though😃

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to Pushing60]

Yes, there are - we're all here cheering, waving pom-poms, jumping up and down, calling your name! Congratulations!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Thank you, I can picture the scene 😀

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Way to go! Glad to hear you dug deep and met your 5k goal.

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you 😊

[Monkey25 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating and your first 5k.!! Well done.👏👏🎓😃

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Monkey25]

Thanks Monkey, still can't quite believe I did. It's been a good day.

[Indizulu Graduate]

That's just fabulous - I am in awe!!!! Hope you can hear the cheering and clapping from over here!!! Many congratulations on getting to Graduation in such style!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Indizulu]

Thank you. I hear the roar of the crowds now. 😂

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

Thank you 😊

[wallruns Graduate]

Congratulations

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to wallruns]

Thank you I'm really chuffed 😊

[Als_mum Graduate]

Great news!! 👏😀

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Als_mum]

Thanks Als_mum. Not long now until yours. Wishing you good luck for your remaining runs. 👟👟

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Graduate! Wow!!!! Hooray. You certainly did do it!!!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss. can hardly believe it myself but I did didn't I. Had a slice of cake to celebrate this afternoon, just a teeny weeny bit. 😊🍰

[sparky66 Graduate]

Aww brilliant post..love it.. sheer grit determination and our brilliant forum together we make some team !!! Huuuuge congratulations on your graduation.. it's so satisfying.. isn't it! Again brilliant and so pleased you managed your 5k.. go you

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to sparky66]

Thank you Sparky. Yes it's the best feeling and you are so right, the Couch to 5K community is one amazing team.

[Hidden]

Well done you did it despite nauseous smells😤. Chocolate probably gave you energy 😉. You did it!! 🍾

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Bamb0014. Perhaps next time I'll eat a whole slab of chocolate.

Oh the smell was awful, must have been just the right (or wrong) temperature and humidity to stir up the aroma and keep it at nostril level. Yuck!

[Hidden in reply to Pushing60]

That's liking the chocolate Pushing60 not the aroma😂

[boogie991 Graduate]

Well done P60. A whole new running world awaits!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to boogie991]

Thank you. Still on a high.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations! How lovely to have another graduate today! And well done for completing your 5k!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you 😀

[OldPossum]

congratulations! So inspiring too.

[Feelingsilly]

Congratulations!!! To push your self for that extra km when you are at 4km at 28 minutes, that shows some dogged determination, amazing!!

[Pushing60 Graduate in reply to Feelingsilly]

Thank you.

Can't quite believe I did it. Shall have to try again soon just to prove it to myself. I've decided that just for this week I'm just going to run for enjoyment, not push for time or distance.