Graduation - and lessons learned: Hi everyone... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,412 members158,563 posts

Graduation - and lessons learned

Allydee profile image
AllydeeGraduate
14 Replies

Hi everyone.... I completed the podcasts yesterday along with a baptism of fire - the southsea 5k park run!!! Ok it took me 39 minutes but I had stitch most of the way but I'm still very proud of what I've achieved, and everyone else's achievements too!!! So here's my personal reflection on the 9 week programme:

1) never underestimate any achievement, whether it's running for 60 seconds, 5 minutes or 30

2) I've never stopped running at any point of the program but I have slowed down to a pace that is incredibly slow whilst I catch my breath/have a drink/recover

3) my music experiments have found that I need something I know that has words to it.. So I can lose myself in following the song. Instrumentals and no words are ok but I get very bored

4) I've increased my protein intake from all the insects that I've inhaled!

5) similarly I've helped keep Portsmouth's snail population in check as I've crunched on more than a few

6) I love running in the rain! The smell, the welcome cooling down... Would never have thought that!

7) it's made me more resilient in other aspects of my life ... I don't give up so easily and fight for what I believe in

8) running 3 times a week, plus Pilates, swimming and dog walking has meant that at 42 I have never been so fit... I've lost a stone and a half since April with at least one more to go - but each exercise seems to have benefited the other so improvements all round

9) I.can.do.it. Massive increase in self belief and confidence

10)I could not have done it without the help, advice and support of this forum. I thank you all!!!!

I'm looking forward to continuing this journey and the rewards ( fitness, loose clothes, daily appreciation). Good luck to everyone on their journey. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!!!!

Written by
Allydee profile image
Allydee
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
14 Replies
aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

Great post!congratulations on your graduation and 1st parkrun,hope it wasn't too windy on southsea front! 😊

Allydee profile image
AllydeeGraduate in reply to aliboo70

It was a bit breezy on the way back!!! Made it a lot harder but I guess that makes the achievement even better. I'll be back to do the next park run next week, fingers crossed it won't be so breezy!!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

What a brilliant post ! Love it :-)

Many Congratulations on your Graduation , its a fantastic achievement and you should be so proud of yourself !

A Massive Well done to you on your weight loss too. Its amazing how good losing a bit of timber can make you feel . It just spurs you on to continue doesn't it ?

Don't forget to ask for your Graduate Badge, you have well and truly earned it !

Well done again ! :-) xxx

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Congratulations on all fronts! And well done for upping that protein content - you need it for muscle building ;).

90ldfinch profile image
90ldfinchGraduate

Well done & well said Allydee -- great stuff 🎉🎉👏👏🏆

dddd4 profile image
dddd4Graduate

What a great way to finish the programme. Congratulations! Loved your summing up especially the insects!

garym profile image
garymGraduate

Well done on both graduation and a great post👍

Als_mum profile image
Als_mumGraduate

Congratulations and thanks for that lovely post. :)

jogger1960 profile image
jogger1960

well done you, i too increase my protein intake cause my mouth is open all the time

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Superb inspirational post.. Newbies read and believe!!!

Massive congratulations..what an achievement. Well done on the insect eating too :)

The badge looks pretty awesome :)

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns

Congratulations, Ally! Very well done. And you are so right about all your observations. I recognise them all. Good luck on your future running adventures. Perhaps keep posting and let us know where the journey is taking you?

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Lovely positive post! Congratulations on completing the programme. Happy running adventures ahead!

Indizulu profile image
IndizuluGraduate

Haha Great post Allydee - your summing up is just about perfect!! Many congratulations on your graduation and parkrun too! 👏👏👏

O505k profile image
O505kGraduate

Well done. Great reflection on the programme.

You may also like...

Lesson learned since graduating

is. So I've started to enjoy it more (and I am getting just a little bit faster too). So I have...

A daft idea and a lesson learned

about 5 minutes was wheezing like a steam train and had to stop to use my asthma inhaler. I've...

Worst run/lesson learned

do my w6r2 run and even walking the first five minutes felt hard...Once I started running I actually

Lesson learned (I hope) W6R2

notice uphill bits that you never noticed before. I was glad for the 3 minute walk but still went a...

Lessons learned!

ended up flat on my front. Luckily, I have no injuries, other than my pride and some mud. I ran a...