W9R3...and the mind...

[Emmy9]

So, I made it; this morning I did my final run!!! (No, I didn't make the 5km but almost made it to 4km, which is what I really hoped to do - that's my next target sorted!) Nowhere near as dramatic a run as my last - perfect weather, in fact - and yet somehow not as enjoyable as that one... I think it was the pressure, somehow! The "something's bound to go wrong" sensation. It didn't, so I could have relaxed and enjoyed it...if I'd known the outcome! That's what I really wanted to highlight, to anyone reading this who has just started out on C25K. It IS your mind that determines your success, I believe. The mind is stronger than the body... Well, mine is! For me, I managed it by running on alternate days, so that if I ever had a day where I had to stop, I would be able to tell myself it wasn't a real run, just "a little run on my day off..." That took all the pressure off me, so I managed to complete every run, in fact... I also always ran a bit further than I had to on the last run of each week... (E.g. on the last 25 minute run I ran for 28 minutes, so that when I HAD to run for 28 minutes, I knew I could do it because I already had...but without the pressure!). Seriously, I started this 2 days before my 52nd birthday and I don't "do" sport, so if I can do it, YOU can do it

C25K has been amazing for me, but in ways beyond the fitness levels. You see, both my (elderly) parents died, fairly unexpectedly, of cancer in Dec 2014 and I was still struggling to deal with it in Dec 2016. Then I started to run, and it's completely changed the way I feel, mentally. My outlook in life has been positive again - I'm usually strong and positive, but I'd lost all that... Running has helped me become more like my old self... except fitter! So, over the next few days I need to set some more targets, so that my mind stays focused on positives! For now, though, I'm going to just sit and grin and think to myself "I did it!"...

Anyway - good luck to everyone doing their final run tomorrow, and in fact to anyone running tomorrow, whatever week you're on... Sincere thanks for all the encouragement - I do wish I'd signed up to this forum much earlier - I think you're all great!

[first_mate Graduate]

Congratulations, well done you. Time to celebrate 🍸🍸 come join us on the podium.

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

Yes!!!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Emmy9]

Lovely badge by the way

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to first_mate]

Thanks... Yours too!

[first_mate Graduate in reply to Emmy9]

Thank you x

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate]

🎉Well done🎉 Lovely post too 🌶

[Minimaxi Graduate]

Yay! Congratulations! I started the program during a difficult time as well and felt the immediate positive effect it had on me

[McFitty Graduate]

What a fabulous graduation post! I'm a sincere believer that running helps with grief. Many of us started c25k following a loss and ended up with a clearer heart and mind. I love that you used the 'run a little extra so you know you can do it' trick. Half of the programme is overcoming our mental blocks.😊

Now you really are an overcomer! You've done it. You are a graduate and we all want to share that magical feeling. And we definitely want to share the champagne and cake😉

So step forward, take a bow. You've earned the

🎈😆HUGE CONGRATULATIONS😆🎈

The band are ready, balloons all blown up (look at poor Oldfloss 's) cheeks! The champagne is flowing and it's time to...

🎼🎶🎻🎷🎈🌟🎂🎉🍹🏆🎓🏆🍹🎉🎂🌟🎈🎷🎻🎶

...party on down 😊😊😊

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to McFitty]

What a wonderful reply! THANK you..... Just got to set myself some targets now and start improving

[MotherPip Graduate]

Very inspiring, thank you for sharing. I'm 51 and previously would have said that I was "not built for running" but here I am having a go...So thank you for telling me, and us all ,that we CAN do this! 🏆🏅

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to MotherPip]

You most certainly can! Seriously, if I can do it, you can too.....

[SlowSlowKwikKwikSlow Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating! W9R3 for me Friday, but I'm hoping it won't be my final run ..... !

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to SlowSlowKwikKwikSlow]

Oops! Yes, of course.... Not FINAL... Hope today went well for you!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Huge congratulations to you and thank you for sharing this. Running is brilliant for coping with stress and grief as you've found. Enjoy your running 😊

[Von99 Graduate]

Congratulations! A great achievement! I love your stress reducing strategies!

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to Von99]

Yes, mind over body...!

[PamJ58 Graduate]

Fantastic - well done you ! It is great how running makes you feel better about yourself isn't it. I really take pleasure now in every little bit of progress I make. Keep going and enjoy your success !

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to PamJ58]

Thank you!

[ANewMe2022 Graduate]

Fantastic Emmy9 I knew you'd do it! You're pulling all of the positive things out of life, putting them in your running gear, and surging forward! Awesome! Sit and grin away to your heart's content 'cos 'You're a runner now'! And I'm sure going to be grinning for a while yet...xx

[Gump73 Graduate]

Well done you and a great post too ☺

[Irish-John Graduate]

Very VERY happy for you Congratulations Runner!

[CJ24 Graduate]

Emmy9 belated congratulations to you, my apologies for the delay in sending you this message. What an inspirational post. Hope you're still grinning.

[Emmy9 Graduate in reply to CJ24]

Thank you! Not grinning quite as much as the other day... We've got dreadful gales here in France and I so wanted to have another try at running further

before my ultra-busy week starts! Ah well...