Final day arrived.......

[Foxes1961]

Well the day I have been looking forward to for 9 weeks has finally arrived. I really wanted this final run to be a 'proper' outside run and not a treadmill one. Having been thwarted by freezing rain on W9R2 I was detained this final run would be outside. I woke at my usual time, had breakfast, did a few jobs around the house then decided the dog needed walking before my run ........ all the usual stalling tactics were in place! What a shock I got when I went outside - the wind chill made it feel about -4 rather than the positively balmy 4 degrees that were predicted, strong winds too. My legs were frozen by the time I got home with the dog, before I could put off the inevitable any more I set off in the car for the gym. However at the last minute I decided to park up at the outdoor facilities and run on the road around the gym. Not having done this before I thought once round and then once or twice round the track would have my 30 minute run sorted. NO! I adjust completed the lap when Jo Whiley chipped in with "you're doing really well, you've run 15 minutes, you're halfway there" NOOOO it must be more than that! Trying to ignore the wind chill and the snow flurries I carried on round again, even finding the strength to 'nod' and smile at a fellow runner (that sounds soooo good!) second lap complete and back into the leisure centre perimeter road and towards my car YES I have done it I screamed punching the air. Followed by a victory dance when Track My Run lady then announced that I had completed 5.1KM in 30 minutes and 47 seconds. I was elated, gobsmacked, unbelieving, the list goes on! What a fantastic programme C25K is, I am telling everyone about it and urging them to try it for themselves......... including two ladies I met in the toilets after my run!!! I have been going round with a huge grin on my face for the rest of the day. If you are reading this (if you've got this far) and thinking about starting the programme DO IT NOW. It will change your life and you will be amazed how good you will feel. And if you do do it don't forget to come on this forum and tell us how you are doing. What a great bunch of people you all are, so encouraging and knowledgable and happy to help other achieve their goals if only all of life was as good! Many, many thank to everyone who replied to my posts with advice and help and to everyone else who posts to let us know that we are all in this together. One last comment - I was watching my team play football last night (they haven't been doing a lot of that lately!) the match went to extra time and as I watched for those 30 minutes it suddenly struck me .......... Hey I can run for that amount of time it really put it in perspective what I have achieved. Onwards and upwards just hope I can keep up the 3 x 30min runs per week ....... eeeeek

[Foxes1961 Graduate]

oops *determined not detained and had just not adjust!

[RainbowC Graduate]

Fantastic run report! Well done! Make sure you claim your graduate badge, and I'm sure McFitty will be along soon with the bubbly and party poppers to help you celebrate!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Very we done indeed Congratulations

[annie1970 Graduate]

Congratulations that's amazing!!! No wonder you are so elated. I'm due to do w5r3 tomorrow. Cannot wait to be at week 9!!

[Foxes1961 Graduate in reply to annie1970]

It will come round a lot quicker than you think! Best of luck with weeks 6-9 they're hard but definitely doable

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge congratulations... Go get that badge..the party is just getting started

[Foxes1961 Graduate]

Thank you for all the lovely comments & congratulations, very much appreciated 👍😃

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop🎉🎉

Congratulations Foxes1961 😊😊

You did it in style..and in freezing conditions..think how great it will be in a few weeks time when spring has sprung😄

You deserve to be proud of yourself..5k as well..fantastic effort.

Happy running and look forward to hearing how your adventures continue. xx

[McFitty Graduate]

Ahhh Foxes1961 - there you are... A graduate😊

What a fabulous run report, just jam packed with feel good emotions! A massive, massive 🎉🎂CONGRATULATIONS🎂🎉

And now, as is the law, you must party with us like it's going out of fashion!

Three cheers for the new graduate🏆🏆🏆

🎈🌟🎉🎂🎊🍹🍷🌼🎓🎓🍷🍹🎊🎂🎉🌟🎈

[Hidden]

I can totally relate this week. There is no better feeling! Well done!!! 👍👍👍

[trafford99]

What an amazing achievement... Bloody well done... I guess the key now is to just to keep running 🏃 W9R3 seems a blinkin age away for me at the mo but wanna get to the finish line cause the the feeling must be great....CONGRATS 🎆🎊💪again ☺

[MotherPip Graduate]

Fantastic...And what a great time too. no wonder you're so happy-you deserve to be happy ...I felt happy just reading your post. 😁🏃🙋🏅

[giddyaunts Graduate]

What a fabulous post Really huge congratulations on your graduation run, there will be no stopping you now and thats a super quick time too! Hoping you will stick around here and keep on encouraging all of us following on in the C25K program. I love this forum, everyone is so friendly, supportive and encouraging.

[Hidden]

5k too! Amazing!!

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Yeay!! Well done, Your Foxiness! Great achievement and lovely encouraging post.

[Foxes1961 Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

Thank you AnneDroid - your Foxiness I love that!