I Did It !!!

[Razouski]

Nearly 12 months ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and 11 months ago had a mastectomy. Getting in touch with my mortality was a bit of a shocker, but I was determined to be as healthy as possible to ward off any recurrence of the dreaded C. First step was going to the gym more regularly, and then when a friend suggested the C25K programme I initially thought I could never do it (having never run in my life, not even at school). Then a small part of me thought, "If she can do it, maybe I can give it a go." Started the programme in August, then at the end of Week 8 I had to have further surgery - lumpectomy and some reconstruction work - which put me out of action and then right back to square one and week 1, and even those short runs were agony until I discovered ways and means of stopping the impact on my breasts.

Thanks to many people in here I persevered, despite the prevail efforts of the gremlins.

And today I set off for the final run of the programme. Those gremlins weren't far behind me and were pretty soon raising their ugly little heads. Frustrated with the gremlin proofing on my laces, they decided to slowly pull one of my socks until it was bunched up in my trainer and most uncomfortable. A quick stop, and I had it back in order. Then they decided to push me over on my ankle, but I quickly recovered and carried on. Next was the knee twinges, just before my hill, but I was undeterred. Their final attempt was to put a gaggle of chattering squirrels on the pathway, who refused to move as I approached, and were literally around my feet as I ran through them (our squirrels are fearless). And then Laura announced that I had five minutes left, and I ploughed on.

I completed my cool down walk and returned to an empty house, with no one to share my whoops of joy - so I'm sharing them with you all. I can't believe I can now run for 30 minutes non stop, and I'm definitely feeling fitter. And now I can think about entering a park run before too long.

Trying to get my face to stop smiling - but it's not happening.

Thanks for all the support and encouragement. x

[patoc37 Graduate]

Well done - that's inspirational!

[tortoisegirl Graduate]

Whoop! Whooping for you over here!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Whoop whoop whoop! Way to go graduate!

A very fine run, and a terrific post, thank you for sharing your story with us.

Hope you have a celebration planned, enjoy the party 🎓🍾🏅🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🎈🍸💐🌟🎉👟👟👟

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Let it smile! What an achievement - well done. Enjoy the journey to parkrunning...

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Final run of the program, but just the start of your running journey. Well done, what a fine capstone to such an emotional year.

[Burgdude Graduate]

Way to go! Don't flight the smile. Wear it proudly.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop! Congratulations.

Brilliant and inspirational end to a difficult year.

Enjoy that amazing feeling!

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done! I like to see a battler!😊

[Tomas Graduate]

Wow, that is so wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing, and congratulations!

[laurajza Graduate]

Good for you and so inspirational. I'll be doing my final run on Thursday, just completed W8R2 and never dreamed I'd complete this. I am inspired every day by everyone on this blog, your stories make me laugh and keep me going. I needed to prove to myself that I could accomplish this and I'm soooooo close now. I'm in the US (Chicago) and will be in Ireland in March and plan on doing a parkrun while there. Looking so forward to it. Keep up the good work and best of health to you!

[Hidden]

Great post. really inspiring. Congratulations !

[Hidden]

Well done - you are amazing and an inspiration to us all 🌟🌟

[Qscout Graduate]

Well done Razouski, enjoy your running!

Congratulations!!

[Runon Graduate]

What a brilliant success story - whooping for you here. Be proud - be very proud

[Razouski in reply to Runon]

I am so proud, I just wanted to tell everyone I met this afternoon what I'd done (but actually managed to keep a lid on it, I don't want to bore people). I will wait for hubby and daughter to come home!

[RunaroundSue]

Brilliant , well done.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Many congratulations to you. You're a warrior (can't find a warrior emoji) but have this instead 👏🎈🎉💪. Have a fabulous time in your future running adventures.

[Razouski in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks so much, I'm not sure that I looked much of a warrior when I returned from this morning's run, dripping with sweat, and puffing and panting. My neighbour said it was like Gorillas in the Mist (it was quite foggy, but I hope I'm no gorilla).

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Hee hee! All warriors drip with sweat. Be proud 💪

[Kmcm66]

Congratulations.Your bravery and determination in very challenging circumstances is indeed inspirational. We are all celebrating with you. Go you 😊x

[Razouski in reply to Kmcm66]

It hasn't felt very brave, just desperate not to have to go through it all again. Thanks for the encouragement.

[Kmcm66 in reply to Razouski]

Thats a good reason to run for. I admire your spirit. I lost my dear friend 2 years ago yesterday to a cancer he couldnt out run. Keep running 😊x

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Huge congratulations! well done

[debze Graduate]

That's absolutely fantastic!!! Well done! x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Good for you!!!! Yes....it is good for you. Congratulations.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Razouski in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I hope to keep up the running 🏃🏽‍♀️, and will try to keep on smiling without looking like a nutter! 🤓

[poppypug Graduate]

Many Congratulations to you , what an amazing journey you have had !

Thank you so much for posting your story, I really think it will inspire others and I hope you are really proud of yourself .

Well done , very well earned and so well deserved ! xxx

[Razouski in reply to poppypug]

Thank you. I was surprised how proud my hubby has been - even treating me to 🍾 this evening. 😀

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Ah that's nice of Hubby, you are so worth it ! xxx

[loisamelia Graduate]

That's fantastic, well done to you. Hope the squirrels aren't around for the next time!

[Razouski in reply to loisamelia]

Thank you. There are so many squirrels in the park, hazard to avoid them, but I'll do my best.

[LessToLose Graduate]

Woo-hoo! Well done!

[Irish-John Graduate]

What a fantastic post to read today (or any day! )

Many many MANY Congratulations on so many levels

[Razouski in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you so much Irish-John. So many of your posts have given me motivation to keep going.😉

[Davoda Graduate]

What a great post! Thank you😀

[Flossie22 Graduate]

Well done you! What fabulous news! I don't think that you should try to stop your face from smiling! Let it grin for as long as you can! Graduate 🎓 😀😀👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🍾🍾

[aliboo70]

Congratulations! Smile lots and be proud. Fantastic acheivement against so many obstacles but you have succeded and done brilliantly 😆

[orchards Graduate]

That' lovely to read - congratulations on a great achievement and here's to lots more running!

[Cuig1975]

Fair play to you to keep at it , gremlins got me bad this evening but after your post think I'll clobber them in the morning

[Razouski in reply to Cuig1975]

I hope you managed to batter those gremlins into submission this morning.

[Raven2016 Graduate]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! Delighted for you!! Well done😀😀😀😀😀 ( I think your squirrels and mine are related, the ones round here laugh at me, I swear it!)

[Pc59 Graduate]

Well done you wow you are an inspiration to us all!! 🏃🏃😊👏👏⭐️⭐️🎓🎓enjoy every minute of your achievement& success & we are smiling with you😊 happy running & enjoy your new running career😊x

[5kOrBust Graduate]

You've earned that smile, enjoy it!

Well done x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Ooh, I like your tag 'Prevail' You certainly did!