I've only gone and done it!

[Skywatcher]

So here we go...a massive thank you to everyone, past and present on this forum. All your postings and comments have been instrumental in driving me forward on this program and getting me to graduation. Back at the end of August when I started with week one I honestly couldn't see me getting even to week two, the first two runs almost floored me, reaching the end seemed impossible.

But..here I am I've just run the last run in the final week and reached the point where running has become both natural and enjoyable and my final run reached the full 5K in Just over 32 minutes.

For anyone just starting out on this program, believe me...you can do it...I did.

[orchards Graduate]

Congratulations!

[Pamed]

Well done skywatcher so very very pleased for you , may it continue good luck and well done again , big congratulations

Pam

[McFitty Graduate]

Wow - graduation AND 5k! That calls for super congratulations and a fabulous time too! Well done

[Flossie22 Graduate]

Congratulations graduate! Really well done. Keep on enjoying your runs. 🏅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done Graduate !

[Ellymeg Graduate]

Congratulations, all your own hard work and effort - well done - happy day! 🏆

[Gemset Graduate]

Congratulations. Well done sky

[claire332]

Well done, such an achievement. I hope I can get there eventually too!

[Razouski]

Fantastic, and a great distance and time. Well done.

[Von99 Graduate]

Well done! And 5k in such fantastic time!

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Congratulations! That's an impressive final run - glad you're enjoying it.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations! And 5k in a great time too!

It's a great feeling isn't it.

[Norni Graduate]

That's fantastic. Well done. You are an inspiration.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

Heartiest congratulations and welcome to the club!

[curlyann Graduate]

That is brilliant. Massive well done to you

[How_to]

Hurrah!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Huge congratulations. I was like you week one and haven't progressed further so I guess now I have to get out there xx

[Pc59 Graduate]

Well done & congratulations 🎓🌟🏃👍its a fantastic feeling 😀Like you i never thought id make it but this program & the forum got me there!!! Enjoy running lets all keep it going😀X

[Skywatcher Graduate]

Thank you everyone...is it normal post graduation to have a massive smug feeling and a smile on your face? Still can't quite believe I've graduated, I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and find myself two stone heavier and this was all just a dream...

[wez70 Graduate]

Massive congratulations! Like you, I never thought it possible but in the next couple of weeks, it will be a year since I started C25K ... since then I've achieved more than I dreamed possible with 5k, 10k and Half Marathon races now completed ... but this is about you, and a celebration of a fabulous achievement! Stick around and encourage those yet to start or complete because it's stories like this that make others believe they can ... I know they helped me enormously!!

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Many congratulations - and yes, that smug feeling is quite normal! Enjoy it, you've earned it!

Remember it in months to come when you are running in biting winds and cold and wondering why you ever started... and revel in how good it is to know you can do this.

Welcome to the graduate community - what's next?!

[Skywatcher Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Hm...what next? Well I think I'll probably stick with several more 5k runs over the next week or so and then building the distance gradually, I think I'd like to get to 10k and then maybe take part in an organised 10k event. My running partner is talking about A 10k charity run next spring so that seems like a nice goal. I'm hoping my pace will come up on its own but having just managed 5k in 30 mins I'm not overly concerned about picking it up too much at present.

[wez70 Graduate in reply to Skywatcher]

5k in 30 minutes only happens on a good day for me, usual is 32ish so forget the pace, increase distance slowly (some good advice about that nestled in here to avoid injury) and enjoy the freedom

[MACass]

Yay! Well done...I'm almost there, about 4 runs to go!

[OldPossum]

Double congratulations - graduation and 5k together 👏👏👏😀

[Runfromfat]

Well done

[Hidden]

Well done. You should be really proud of yourself. I am just about to start week 5 and can not imagine getting to your stage. It's true what you say this forum really helps

[Skywatcher Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Keep with the program....and you will get there. I felt exactly the same as you only a month or so back and didn't really think I could make it. But every run you take improves your fitness and stamina, you don't realise it until you move to the subsequent runs. By the time you reach week 9 you WILL be ready...