W9 R3 Part 2 - graduation run in the face of S... - Couch to 5K

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W9 R3 Part 2 - graduation run in the face of Storm Barbara (actually week 21 but who cares?)

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate
β€’52 Replies

I am so delighted to report that today I completed C25K

After yesterday's attempt which I wrote about earlier I went out again in the wind and the rain but this time with a Goretex hillwalking jacket on (minus the inner fleece!)

Back to my usual park, back to my usual route up the 30 steps on my warm up walk to the top path on the hill which I wind my way gently down. Then WOOSH a massive gust of Storm Barbara's best knocked me sideways and I thought, this is madness. What should I do? I decided to run on the lee side of the hill, sheltered a tad by trees. At the bottom a huge lake - puddle - blocked my way so I did a ridiculous little circle dance/detour through a bowling club to get back on my route.

Once I got my rhythm, apart from being stupidly hot inside the jacket I got going with relative ease. Halfway round I took my jacket off and tied it round my waist and kept going being pelted by rain. It was getting heavier and heavier.... 15 mins, 20 mins....30 mins then I decided to keep going. I was wet anyway so I did an extra 5 mins. Still only 3.75km but I'm getting there.

It's taken me many weeks, with two bugs ICing me, two to three weeks to get through both weeks 4&5, but I haven't given up!

Genuinely, if you are reading this, thinking I can't complete C25K, just know that you can, anyone can do it. Anyone can build up stamina. I am the least expected person to ever run and I'm going to enter a 5K in May!!

This forum has been absolutely amazing. There is NOTHING but support and goodwill on here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Onwards and upwards, I hope........

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Sofargoner profile image
Sofargoner
Graduate
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52 Replies
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misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Well done! Congratulations 😊 Sounds like you had a tough time out there but you stuck with it and did it. You must feel very chuffed ☺

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply tomisswobble

I do. Unless I'd had a 'we're not in Kansas anymore' moment with the wind, nothing was going to hold me back from finishing today! Thank you for your unwavering help, advice and cheering on! X

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Well done and very well earnt ! You never gave up , Congratulations ! :-) xxx

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply topoppypug

Thanks poppypug. You have me such great advice along the way. So appreciate it xx

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduateβ€’ in reply toSofargoner

Aw , you're very welcome , thank you xxx

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

So very pleased for you !!!:) :) :) Congratulations Graduate!!!!!!!!!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toIrish-John

Thank you IJ. I've never forgotten your words on my very first post, every pore encouraging me to do it. You said I could!

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduateβ€’ in reply toSofargoner

And you have :)

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

OH. MY. GOSH!

Drum roll... Fanfare...and...

🌟🎈🌟🎈🎈🌟P-A-R-T-A-A-A-Y-Y🌟🎈🎈🌟🎈🌟

Sofargoner your journey has been just the best! Every step of the way, you've battled through, beaten those gremlins, faced down your demons and drawn on every ounce of inner strength. Right to the very last step.

WAY TO GO!

Congratulations Ms. Graduate. I hope you're grinning from ear to ear. I am :) :) :)

πŸΈπŸŒŸπŸ·πŸŽˆπŸŒŸπŸŽˆπŸŽ“πŸŽ“πŸŽ“πŸŽˆπŸŒŸπŸŽˆπŸ·πŸŒŸπŸΈ

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toMcFitty

Thanks McF. I'm chuffed but also ....kind of...nervous of what's next. Thanks for all the laughs and smiles and deep, deep encouragement especially at end-August. I remember that too!

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Absolutely brilliant, really well done. A very fine graduation runπŸŽ“πŸ˜€πŸΎπŸ…β­οΈ

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toMillsie-J

Thanks Jacs! I'm slow but I did it!

Flossie22 profile image
Flossie22Graduate

That is the best graduation run of all time. You have run through wind and rain, with old Barbara trying to put you off your graduation run, but you stuck with it. Well done you! First class run! Party into Christmas now! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸƒπŸ»πŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸƒπŸ»πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ“πŸŽ“πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toFlossie22

Thanks for your belief and encouragement. This has been life-defining. X

Flossie22 profile image
Flossie22Graduateβ€’ in reply toSofargoner

Ooh look at your shiny new badge! Suits you! πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Oi! SFG I just remembered... pink neon? You promised! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toMcFitty

::::moving swiftly on:::::

YES I do remember - I will see what bits of the outfit I can find...

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

What a fabulous graduation run (nearly a triatholon there...) And of course a tremendous and determined achievement to get to this point. Hearty congratulations and thank you for sharing it with us.

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toGoogleMe

you're so right - there was one puddle I thought I would have to swim through!

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Congratulations on graduating. A tough run, but well done for persevering and doing the extra time. I bet you were really proud of yourself. :-)

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toRazouski

thank you! I just thought "I have to get this one done!'

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate

Go you! That took real determination to go out in all that filthy weather. You should feel really proud of yourself,

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toMaddee_6333

thanks! Te support of this forum really mattered when I was going out each time x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

It sounds more like an obstacle course so a very big well done to you and many congratulations. Enjoy your future running and a Happy Christmas to you πŸƒπŸƒπŸƒ

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toIrishprincess

thanks IP !

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

Huge congratulations - you persevered and pushed through against adversity - your graduation run is so symbolic! Now the trick is to keep it up without Laura setting a structure. Many seem to drop by the wayside, but I reckon you won't! Enjoy, what a way to start Christmas!

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toJaySeeSkinny

thanks. As I was running through a storm, I kept thinking about all the analogies were in that very event....

CookieM profile image
CookieMGraduate

You definitely showed determination out there!! Congratulations: D

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toCookieM

thanks Cookie!

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Congratulations! Graduation in the face of adversity has to feel sweet!

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toUllyrunner

thank you! Yes!

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

You prove that determination gets us through ANYTHING! Very well done, you only graduated with honours! Having graduated now for about a year, I can say that even after week 9 is over, there are new goals, jiggly legs, poor weather, busy schedules and life and your determination will keep working for you. I had a patch where I had sore calves that were agony when I ran and I re-introduced run-walking for at least a month and I broke through that to be able to gradually increase run times again

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toJoolieB1

well done - an inspiring story again :-)

pollyp1 profile image
pollyp1Graduate

Congratulations! A testimony to the benefits of persistence - I am totally impressed by yours. I was put off by the wind and rain yesterday... enjoy your running life!

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply topollyp1

thank you! I hope I can keep on being persistent!!

pollyp1 profile image
pollyp1Graduateβ€’ in reply toSofargoner

I'm sure you will.

Funnyrunner profile image
FunnyrunnerGraduate

Well done! You certainly were tested with that weather, but you came through triumphant! Fantastic :-)

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toFunnyrunner

thank you :-)

OndaC33 profile image
OndaC33Graduate

So pleased you did it today. Through the wind and rain... your are definitely a runner and a fighter. Well done - enjoy the feeling.πŸ˜€

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toOndaC33

I'm certainly a fighter but I don't feel like a runner - I am amazed that I haven't given up!! Think its because the programme really works!

Inspiredmum profile image
InspiredmumGraduate

Well done, what a lovely Christmas present you've given yourself! Congratulations and if Storm Barbara can't keep you away then nothing will!

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toInspiredmum

thanks Inspiredmum :-)

Gump73 profile image
Gump73Graduate

Huge congratulations. What a Christmas present! Have a fantastic relaxing time over the festivities but I'm sure you'll be itching to get out for your first post graduation run. πŸŽ…

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toGump73

Thank you! Thinking of Tuesday as Sunday and Monday is wall to wall family stuff

Lon70 profile image
Lon70Graduate

Congratulations. Very inspiring. Enjoy your extra Christmas treat of graduation.

AnneDroid profile image
AnneDroidGraduate

Oh wow. You did it! I'm so chuffed for you. Hope you have a lovely glow-y Christmas basking in your well-deserved success. xx

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduateβ€’ in reply toAnneDroid

Thanks AD. Women's 5K (me) / 10K (you) in May????????

AnneDroid profile image
AnneDroidGraduateβ€’ in reply toSofargoner

I'd love to run with you, Mrs. I'm booked in for the Balmoral 10k in April - although I haven't run 10k since October and will have to get my act together as that route has a hill! But so far that's my only commitment for 2017. Do you have a link for the one you mention? I'd be happy to do the 5k with you though. x

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate

raceforlife.cancerresearchu...

I searched under 2017 and my local,one isn't listed yet though there's some in the east coast in June. Maybe it's still to open?

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate

I would deffo do the 3K of this AnneDroid

greatrun.org/great-womens-10k

There's a new 3K course for 2017, ideal for C25Kers

Redbillie21 profile image
Redbillie21Graduate

Good on you! Well done. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸŽ‰

Girlyswot profile image
GirlyswotGraduate

Congratulations on your graduation! I took 4 months to complete C25K so I know what you mean! Here's to many more running adventures! x

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