Lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it ... well ...

[simonHumph]

W8R2: The afterglow (if that's the right word) is great; the last 5-10 minutes is a struggle; and it's an anxious 48 hrs anticipating the next on: "Can I run for that long again?", "I'm so close, will I pick up an injury which puts me back?", "Which route will I take?", "Will it be raining?", "Should I shift my running time just in case?", "What will I do without Laura?" Oh, so many questions run through my head. Anyway, sorry for boring anyone who might be reading this but this programme is great and for all the struggles along the way they've been achievable and on balance, yes, I'm lovin' it!

But ... I am worried ..."What will I do without Laura??"

[McFitty Graduate]

Keep Laura. There are post grad podcasts with Laura on, or just mix up the c25k runs and carry on. I'm still doing one week 9 run each week and just adding a few minutes. I know exactly what you mean about the anxious 48 hours... I still have that even now. I keep imagining waking up and finding I can't do it anymore! Good luck with run 3 and then.... graduation week!!!😆😃😆

[melly4012 Graduate]

In answer to your questions, Yes of course you can, Be sensible and take it steady and no you won't, Whichever route you fancy at the time, It might be but running in the rain is fun!, You'll complete it either way, You will be fine!

Sounds like you're doing great! You are so close now to that magical 30 minutes and graduation is just around the corner!! Like McFitty says, you can keep Laura if you like. You might find that you want to arrange your own runs and listen to your own music but if you're happy too stick with her! People have found all sorts of creative ways to begin again from W1R1 such as running through the walking intervals and speeding up in the running intervals, tagging W1R1 at the end of their 30 minute run, etc and don't forget the stepping stones, speed and stamina podcasts! They're not for everyone but are definitely an option. Of course, we'll all still be here during graduation and beyond so even if you part ways with Laura you can keep up with her by giving others advice and responding to their queries about how they will manage without her...

[Irish-John Graduate]

I am getting your chair ready as we speak, and shall put it so that you are sitting in a place of honour You really have worked hard for this

[simonHumph Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John, it'd better be a big chair as this graduation feels bigger than other graduation ceremonies I've been through ... but will it rain?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to simonHumph]

And if it does? I was on my motorcycle in a rainstorm a while back. I pulled into a gas station and went in to pay for a tank refill. The lady behind the counter was amazed/aghast that I would 'ride in that weather!'

I told her I probably got a lot wetter taking a shower that morning

[SillyLilly Graduate]

OMG..you sound like me.lol I just finished wk8 run 2 this morning and I swear I could have written your post. These must be 'normal' feelings to have at this point. Just wanted you to know you are not alone on this one. Today for the first time I wore my husbands Garmin to get a really accurate reading of my pace/distance. Up until now I have been just rough estimating it. Well..the findings have me a bit depressed. I'm slower than I thought (and I thought I was really slow). I struggle, really struggle to get through these runs and feel like i have left everything on the road and then I find out my pace would be laughable to most seasoned runners. ;( My husband has been very supportive and trying to keep me positive but I guess I'm having one of those weeks with self doubt. My hips hurt, my legs tired and I haven't lost any weight that i can tell...it has me wondering why I'm doing this. The 'afterglow' is a good thing like you mention, the feeling of completing something positive is a good thing, but damn this is HARD work. I think i'm gonna leave his watch at home next run because maybe it's better not knowing how much work I have to do to get to a respectable 5k time. lol Ignorance is bliss.haha Only 4more runs till graduation for both of us..we can do it! I won't be hitting the 5k but that's life. Keep up the great work! I will be with you in spirit. xo

[simonHumph Graduate in reply to SillyLilly]

What can I say? Is "Go GIRL!" any way appropriate?? I've not measured distance, I'm just relieved to keep running for 28 mins and wipe that sweat off my brow (which is too copious to mention in such polite company)! But I'm with you ... my feet hurt, legs ache and I'm not convinced about any weight loss though my wife says I'm looking "trimmer"! Whatever that means? She could just be trying to be encouraging .... BUT I feel miles better in myself and that's what matters. Good luck for the remaining four, keep me posted.

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to simonHumph]

Thank-you for the pep talk..I sure need it tonight. You made me laugh with the sweating comment. It was 58 degrees at 5am when I ran today and I was still soaking wet when I was done my 28min. Thank god it's dark outside so no one can see what a hot mess I am when i'm done.lol Way to go on your running as well! Keep up the great work.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to SillyLilly]

PROGRESS Lily! Look at your PROGRESS! Remember what a Calvary those first few weeks were ? The 'OMG! - next week I have to run THREE minutes at a time!!' shock, awe and horror ?

Now look at you (and our pal Simon ) Y'all are running 28 minutes!! And soon enough those 28 minutes will feel like how you can run three or ten or fifteen or whatever you have done up to now if you were to go out and do them again

I laugh at myself when I feel myself getting bent out of shape because it takes me 40 plus minutes to run 5K. Mein Lieber Gott!!! - 56 YEARS that I 'could not run' and now I get all upset that I am not a proverbial Gazelle when I go out

Listen carefully while I pull out my 'Graduate Privilege' - you are doing FINE! Most people drop out before they have finished the third week - if this were easy, EVERYONE would be doing it More important than time/distance is what you have - and hopefully will continue to do for yourself. Doing something amazing for your body...and your mind. And today you might need encouragement and support, but I guarantee you that there will be days when I and everyone else will need it from you also

We are not Olympic runners - but we sure as heck probably endure more than they do with their natural ability, youth and oodles of training resources

Again - you are doing GREAT

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you IrishJohn xoxox..you always seem to know what to say to make me feel better.

[Hidden in reply to SillyLilly]

You are doing so well and just remember back to how hard w1 r1 was for all of us. Keep pressing on you are nearly at graduation now and can be so proud of a your hard work. Go for it!!!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Only 4 more runs to graduation!

You don't need to leave Laura if you don't want to, and some consolidation at 30 minutes is a good idea. I suspect you will soon want to stretch out your runs to reach the 5k though.

You describe that fear and disbelief that all of us share about being not able to run next time out. It's like the programme wreaks some sort of miracle on our bodies but our minds lag behind. I guess it takes a long time to overcome that 'I'm useless at sport' mentality that we've cultivated over so many years!

But, you ARE a runner and will do this!

[simonHumph Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Only 3 now

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Don't worry Simon and Lily,

The program works, we know that, and it is not an easy ride to get to graduation. But get those three 30 mins under your belt and I promise you, you will feel differently. Kinda special..😊

The more of these longer runs you bank in your legs the more your body adapts to the effort. That is how a load of graduates are going on to do 10k and beyond..😊 or at least working towards it.😉 (me)

The c25k+ podcasts are Laura, and she gives guidence and running tips. Running with your own music can be fun too. There are other options for later as well, but best feet forward to the graduation podium first.

Good luck both of you.x