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

[Sofargoner]

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........

[misswobble Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

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 Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to poppypug]

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

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Sofargoner]

Aw , you're very welcome , thank you xxx

[Irish-John Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Irish-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 Graduate in reply to Sofargoner]

And you have

[McFitty Graduate]

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

🍸🌟🍷🎈🌟🎈🎓🎓🎓🎈🌟🎈🍷🌟🍸

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to McFitty]

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 Graduate]

Absolutely brilliant, really well done. A very fine graduation run🎓😀🍾🏅⭐️

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

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

[Flossie22 Graduate]

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! 👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🎉🎉🎓🎓😀😀

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

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

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Sofargoner]

Ooh look at your shiny new badge! Suits you! 😊👏🏻👏🏻

[McFitty Graduate]

Oi! SFG I just remembered... pink neon? You promised! 😂😂😂

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to McFitty]

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

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

[GoogleMe Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

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

[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 Graduate in reply to Razouski]

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

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

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

[Irishprincess Graduate]

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 🏃🏃🏃

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

thanks IP !

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

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

[CookieM Graduate]

You definitely showed determination out there!! Congratulations: D

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to CookieM]

thanks Cookie!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

thank you! Yes!

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to JoolieB1]

well done - an inspiring story again

[pollyp1 Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

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

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Sofargoner]

I'm sure you will.

[Funnyrunner Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Funnyrunner]

thank you

[OndaC33 Graduate]

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

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to OndaC33]

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 Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to Inspiredmum]

thanks Inspiredmum

[Gump73 Graduate]

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. 🎅

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Gump73]

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

[Lon70 Graduate]

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

[AnneDroid Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

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

[AnneDroid Graduate in reply to Sofargoner]

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 Graduate]

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 Graduate]

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 Graduate]

Good on you! Well done. 👏👏🎉

[Girlyswot Graduate]

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