Another graduate here! wk9 run 3 complete.

[SillyLilly]

I went out and did my final wk 9 run and it was a success. After my 30min of continuous running I decided to walk 1minute and then resume running the remaining distance to complete the 5k. So I'm not far off from doing it in one full swoop. The 'finish line' was met with a lot of emotion for me. I have been having a really rough week emotionally so the flood gates opened when I reached that 5k mark. Thankfully it was still dark outside and not a soul in sight. lol There has been so much self doubt along the way and still there are days it creeps up. I am pleased with following this program to the finish and clearly I am a testament it works. For all the newbies out there,if this 44yr old, very overweight women can do it I am convinced anyone can do it. Thank you to EVERYONE who has cheered me on, gave me advise or was just a shoulder to lean on through it all. I appreciate it more than you know. I guess I can only get better from here. Happy running everyone..oh and graduation badge please.

[Hidden]

Wow, finished the programme AND run your first 5K ! Congratulations !

[Titch121]

Very very well done SillyLilly Wear that graduation badge with pride. Youve earned it.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations SillyLilly! Graduation and 5k all on one day! Tears and emotion most definitely allowed.

[misswobble Graduate]

Woohoo! Well done Lil! Congratulations!!! You have to apply for your graduate badge (see the links to the right of the screen in blue text)

You will grow in confidence as you keep running. C25k+ Stepping Stones podcasts are your natural next step, to take you to the next level of Bridge to 10k, if that's the way you'd like to go

So pleased you stuck at it and reached the finish line. Feels absolutely marvellous doesn't it. You can keep feeling that elation. Just keep on running

[poppypug Graduate]

Congratulations Lilly on a fantastic achievement !

And a 5K Graduation run to put the top hat on it

Well done and I hope you enjoy wherever your running takes you from here xxx

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done graduate! Fantastic news, happy running! 😃

[melly4012 Graduate]

Congratulations!! You've done it!! Well done, so glad you're proud of yourself. Your badge looks brilliant.

[McFitty Graduate]

Oh my goodness, 5k AND graduation. It doesn't get much better than that! Huge CONGRATULATIONS SillyLilly . Now enjoy your moment and keep enjoying, you can run as far and as fast or as slow and leisurely as you like now and it just keeps getting better

[Bradaz]

That is amazing and inspiring to me as a newbie. I got day2 week 2 in the bag last night. Xxx

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Bradaz]

Thank you. Stick with it and you will be where I am in no time. It definitely is an adventure. lol

[SillyLilly Graduate]

Thank you everyone for all your well wishes and kind words. xo You guys are the best!

[Beccym Graduate]

Very few people get 5k done in 30 minutes at graduation. Well done

What's next?

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Beccym]

I think you read my post incorrectly I ran for 30min( I wasn't at 5k yet)..walked 1min..and then finished up running what was left to get me to my 5k. It took me 45min in total to do all that.lol I like your time better.

[Beccym Graduate]

Both are good! Well done.

I have only done sub 30 min 5k twice. It will come took me over a year. Park runs are good for getting used to the distance and Running with others improves your time.😊 Keep on running

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Beccym]

Thanks! I can imagine running with others would help. One of my fastest runs during couch 2 5k was on a day that I decided to run later in the morning than usual. I didn't think too much about it until I started down the street and realized it was the school bus pickup time for all the area kids. Each corner had groups of kids/parents etc.. Every time I was approaching and had to pass them I sped up.lol I didn't want to appear slow.hahahaha It was a good thing for my time though.lol I run early early morning and generally there are very few people out (I may see 2-3 people at most) but one morning I saw one lone walker up ahead. I wanted to see if i could catch up and pass her. I did! lol So even that helped me move a little quicker. I may just consider signing up for a race come next spring but for now I'm just gonna stick to the neighbourhood streets and try and improve my time.

[Beccym Graduate in reply to SillyLilly]

Park run is free and runs every Saturday at 9. There are locations all over the country.

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Beccym]

I live in Canada..no park runs where I live but they have many races throughout the year that you can pay to enter.

[RobD Graduate]

Many congratulations ..

[SlowWorm2016 Graduate]

Well done! A great achievement

[simonHumph Graduate]

Well done!

[Vanessa291 Graduate]

Well done and congratulations you graduate. 🌟🍾🌟🍾🌟🍾

[Simmypie Graduate]

Yay!!! We never doubted that you could do it!

If only we all had more self belief then life would be sooo much easier

[SillyLilly Graduate in reply to Simmypie]

Ain't that the truth

[TheTortoiseTeacher]

Amazing! Congratulations, for completing the programme and your first 5k!

[AncientMum Graduate]

Congratulations Sillylilly, it's a great achievement and something to be really proud if

[Irish-John Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS!

[Lon70 Graduate]

Congratulations. Superb achievement. Enjoy the badge.

[SuperMouse Graduate]

Fabulous! Well done! 😃😃

[mariamc67 Graduate]

Congratulations! 😆

[lightweightkate Graduate]

Well done -I am so happy for you and yes, it's an emotional feeling 🎉😀🎓Be so proud 😀 Congrats SillyLilly and loving your shiny new badge