W9R3 woot woot

[first_mate]

I'll be honest when I woke up this morning I wasn't sure I was going to manage my third and final run. My tummy was doing flickflacks, not sure if that was nerves or something iffy I ate last night. But after a quick walk with the dogs and some water it felt more settled so I thought I would go and give it my best shot.

It wasn't my best run by a long way. Some of it felt a bit laboured, legs were a little tired to start with and after about 18 minutes the tum decided to have another go, luckily I managed to put it out of my mind and jog on (as they say). Also the hilly bit, which doesn't normally cause much grief, felt like I was climbing Ben Nevis. But when all is said and done I did it. Finishing off with a bit of a fist pump as I went alongside the dual carriage way. Not sure when the cars going passed thought but who cares, hopefully someone had a chuckle at this mad woman with flailing arms.

As you can see from the pic it was a bit chilly and the glasses kept steaming up but at least I could see out of one side lol. Kind of getting used to that.

I would like to add that on 2nd Jan I started Day1 running and walking for 1 minute intervals. It felt like my legs would collapse and my lungs burst but I carried on and now, thanks to the plan I can run continuously for 30 minutes. This morning I covered a total of 4.5k, I'm not worried that I haven't hit the full 5k that will come soon enough. I would recommend this plan to anyone, I have never had any inclination to run before in my life. Its taken me almost 50 years to find out the thing I always hated at school I actually love ! Blimey did I just say that!?

Anyway party dress ready, Jammie Dodgers ready to be opened but have to admit have been hyper all day as a result of this mornings run.

This plan is amazing, as are all you fab people out there. Your comments and encouragement have helped no end. Sorry about War and Peace but I did say I was hyper xxxxxx

Good luck to you all at whatever stage you are at. You can do this x

[Hidden]

Faaaaaaantastic! I know exactly where you're coming from. I hated running at school because I thought I couldn't do it. Well I can. And so can you now!! Yay!!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥇🍾

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I wonder if we'd been introduced to running like this at school if it would have made a difference?! But hey we got there in the end

[KS69 Graduate]

Brilliant post!!! Well done for completing it, we started the exact same day so it seems such amazing progress in what seems like not very long ago!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to KS69]

Thanks KS69. it has gone so fast. You're next you'll be putting in for your badge just shortly too. Feels like we've been distance run buddies x

[KS69 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

Yep and it's been great reading alongside going through the same thing!

I might try R3 tomorrow morning but depends if I have a good sleep and get up really early

[first_mate Graduate in reply to KS69]

Certainly has, have always looked out for you posts to see how you was getting on

Good luck for the morning if you go, hope it's not a cold one for you x

[KS69 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

Thank you!

I think I've struggled more than some of the other now-on-W9'ers!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to KS69]

Maybe on some days but not on others. The great thing is you kept going. Extra big bottle of champers on ice ready and waiting for you x

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Congratulations and really well done.

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Thank you Dunder x

[PippiRuns]

Congratulations on your well deserved graduation. Go claim your badge! I remember my graduation run clearly (May last year). I was on cloud nine and felt so proud and satisfied with my achievement. I hope this is the beginning of an exiting journey full of running adventures for you like it has been for me. My only regret is that I didn't start running when I was younger🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[first_mate Graduate in reply to PippiRuns]

Thank you x I'm looking forward to what's in store. It's a little scary and I might drag Laura along at the start just to keep me right. I guess the important thing is we've found running now, onwards and onwards

[PippiRuns in reply to first_mate]

I did too. And then I joined a running club and never looked back. It is not for everyone, I know, but I'm definitely a social runner😄

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

The Couch to 5k+ podcasts are really good, I use the 'speed' one for doing interval training. I like running with Laura!

[annie1970 Graduate]

Woo hoo happy graduation day congratulations! !! Xx 😀😀

[first_mate Graduate in reply to annie1970]

Thank you annie x Cracking run for you today too

[annie1970 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

I'm stillbuzzing! But it's nothing compared to the elation I will feel next week once I graduate. Four more runs....

[first_mate Graduate in reply to annie1970]

Absolutely. I'm still hyper now lol at least the flat got blitzed clean after I got back had to use the energy somewhere lol x

[McFitty Graduate]

Woot woot indeed!

It's been so brilliant following your journey to graduation and seeing your enjoyment grow and grow.

You know what's coming now... You go grab your badge, up those podium steps and listen to us all raise a mighty cheer of..

🏆🏆!!CONGRATULATIONS!!🏆🏆

Cake, fizz and more good wishes than you can shake a stick at. It's your graduation paaaaarrtaaaay😆😄😃

🌟🎈🍸🎉🍹🍻🎂🍷🎓🎓🎓🍷🎂🍻🍹🎉🍸🎈🌟

Enjoy that incredible feeling and feel proud!😊

[first_mate Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Wow thank you McFitty It's an amazing journey and not over yet. Love partying with you all xx

[ANewMe2022 Graduate]

Hip hip hooray!!! Well done first_mate sounds like it was a toughy, but you've come through and are now a graduate! And 4.5k, wowsers, that's really good going too! I can hear the party poppers going off in all directions...xx

[first_mate Graduate in reply to ANewMe2022]

Thank you xx Those poppers are loud aren't they?! I think it helps there's a fair stretch that's downhill so easier going lol. Now to concentrate on the next bit x

[CJ24 Graduate in reply to ANewMe2022]

You next ANewMe2022

#graduateinwaiting. xx

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate]

🎉🎉🎉 well done🎉🎉🎉 thought I'd just pop in as I've been awol for a month or so , to be greeted be this lovely post😁

Soooooo happy for you, we started almost the same time, I remember your earlier posts😀

You must feel amazing, 🌶X

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Jalapenolover101]

Thank you so much, feeling great xx

How are you getting along? hope you're feeling better now x

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

Thank you, much better, not as good as you I bet😉 Enjoy your success, can you even remember those first runs!😂 I do! Look how far you've come! Much respect ❤🌶X

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Jalapenolover101]

Thank you. Oh yes still remember the early ones. I was hoping to do a lap of the field where I started the very first run but it was too wet and slippy today, maybe next time for old times sake. I have no doubt you'll not be far behind me onto the podium x Keep it up x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop🎉🎉🎉🎉

Way to go first _mate. Big congratulations on your Graduation run. You did it. You Run. You are a graduate. You are a runner😄xxx

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you x

[nchunc Graduate]

Ha! Well done!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to nchunc]

Thank you kindly x

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

What a great post, brought it all back so thanks for that. Onwards and upwards - that 5k will be yours, Graduate

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Thank you I have it in my sights

[Shorty7 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done you! 🎉🎉👍🏻👍🏻

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Shorty7]

Thank you x

[ianhtf Graduate]

Huge congratulations to you.

We are forming a queue behind you to get onto the podium.

Party on 🏃🏽

[first_mate Graduate in reply to ianhtf]

Thank you, come along up there's plenty of room

[aliboo70]

Congratulations to you! Lovely post,now a graduate! Wishing you lots of happy runs !😊

[first_mate Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Ahhh thank you aliboo x

[Von99 Graduate]

Congratulations!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Von99]

Thank you x

[yaskas Graduate]

Congratulations! I tried to run with glasses a couple of times and had the same problem. I found it very annoying! I wear my contacts now.

[first_mate Graduate in reply to yaskas]

Thank you I'm thinking of getting some too, eyes are due for a test just shortly so will see about them then I think. Can be a bit odd running in fog, mind you helps when there's a bit of a breeze going lol x

[poppypug Graduate]

Many Congratulations to you on a fantastic achievement !

A baseball cap works a treat in keeping the rain off your specs xxx

[first_mate Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you. Yep still need to grab one of those xx

[Kimscholey]

Twit Woo!! Massive congratulations to you!! Raising a cuppa to you as I do this message. Well done you! X

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Kimscholey]

Thank you kindly Cup raised in return x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Love the post and love the badge and that smile says it all.

Very well done ! Graduate !!

And now.. it starts.. the journey goes on... your way

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss x I'm ready for the new adventures but you haven't heard the last of me just yet x

[skysue16 Graduate]

Wow! Great post - very well done on your graduation and your nice shiny new badge! 4.5k is a great distance

[first_mate Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thank you, I've been polishing it specially

[CJ24 Graduate]

Many congratulations first_mate , thanks for saving me a jammie dodger and a glass of fizz. Chin Chin x

[first_mate Graduate in reply to CJ24]

Thank you my pleasure 🍸🍸