W5R3........ done and dusted!

[Bigfatsal]

My friend and I both managed to complete the dreaded 20 minute run today, I did mine this morning and I was completely shocked that I actually managed it. This programme is amazing, it really does set you up to succeed. If anyone (like I was) is fretting about this particular run, you will be surprised, it really isn't as bad as you'd think!

[IgaT Graduate]

Wow!!! Congratulations!!! You did it!

I am still on my way to get healthy, so no running for over a week. Bit I am sooo proud of you! Well done!

I doubted if I go back running, but you've inspired me, again Thank you!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Thank you so much! I am so thrilled to have done it, please keep going, I know you can do it (once you are well of course) I am looking forward to hearing how you are getting on! xx

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

I will. And you... Keep going! You nailed the 20 min run!!! That's amazing!!! You are my hero!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Aww thank you so much, it was such a short time ago that I couldn't even run for 60 seconds that today feels like a miracle!! I can't wait til you do this run too and feel the same as I do.... and you will!

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

Thank you I didn't think that I'd found such an inspiration and wonderful person on this forum. I've never believed in such "suppprt group". But yet here I am. Stopping my favourite TV show and reading how far you have gone, enjoying your happiness, and believing that one day I be as happy and proud of myself as you are now. I'll keep you up-dated as soon as I be back on the track

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to IgaT]

What a lovely thing to say, that is so kind of you. I am really enjoying chatting to the lovely people on this forum, it has been so helpful to me and it is great to know I can help someone too. You will definitely get there too and I can't wait to hear all about it when you start again xx

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

Let's keep the good vibe flowing... I meant running

[Katie204 Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

Well done - what a long way you have come in just a few short weeks! Best of luck with the rest of the C25K course - you will do it! x

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Katie204]

Thank you! It really is unbelievable!

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done Sal ! That is such a massive milestone in the programme and you nailed it , great stuff !

Good Luck to you IgaT , looking forward to following your progress once you feel you're ready xxx

[Bigfatsal Graduate]

Thank you poppypug - it felt like a major milestone to be honest, I am still in shock that I actually did it! Especially when I realised I was approaching a huge group of ramblers on a very narrow canal path and I had 'sprint' to get past them, that really messed up my breathing but shortly after that I came to a short downhill stretch and that put me right! It was hard, for sure, but such a thrill to have done it! xxx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

Yes it is such a great feeling completing that run ! xxx

[loisamelia Graduate]

Fantastic news Bigfatsal ! Very well done. There's no stopping you now

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to loisamelia]

Thank you, I must admit I do feel that if I can do 20 minutes after 5 weeks, 30 minutes should be doable in 9! Fingers crossed!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Knew you would do it Just think.... a few weeks ago.... you thought you would not get to this stage

Gosh, how many of us at the first week, felt that running for 60 seconds was impossible and yet...here we all are

Very very well done! On you go, slow and steady does it.. getting closer to that podium with every step

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Massive thank you to you Oldfloss , you have been at my back all the way, I have to confess as I got to the last five minutes I was thinking 'I can't wait to tell the forum'. 5 weeks ago, I thought I would never be able to run 60 seconds without feeling I was going to die (dramatic? Me? :P) now I am feeling fairly sure I can do the whole nine weeks Who'd have thought!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

🙂 I felt exactly the same!!!!

Just like I was going to collapse, that first week.☹

It shows just how good the programme is...suddenly, you are running and, you progress in spite of yourself...Every time I run..I just think..Wow!!!

You are well on the way x

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Whoop whoop! Well done to both of you. It's an epic feeling 🤗🤗🤗

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you! It really is an epic feeling, 24 hours later I still can't quite believe I did it - my legs, however, are telling me I definitely did

[slowpoke_annie Graduate]

Massive congratulations!! Its so encouraging to read this as Im starting W5 on Monday and was a little apprehensive about it. You've made me want to get out there and smash it too!! 😁🏃🏼‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to slowpoke_annie]

...and you will , with every slow and steady step!!!!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss said the same to me and she's always, always right!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to slowpoke_annie]

And you will smash it! I was almost certain I would have to give up after W5R1, I was really scared about the rest but R2 went better than I thought and then I began to think I might just do R3. I found the whole week hard to be fair, but not in a bad way, I almost felt like I had started the 'proper running'! Looking forward to your post telling us you smashed it too! xx

[Dhiny]

Whoo hooo go Sal that week is a bit of a mental challenge, I think we've all been there & dreaded it but you pushed through & nailed it. Excellent! xx

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Dhiny]

Thank you Dhiny your encouragement has helped me loads, it really was mind over matter, the last five minutes were really tough but the thought that I was almost there and would be able to tell all you lovely folk kept me going!

[Redbillie21 Graduate]

Well done! I totally agree. The programme is superb. I would recommend it to anyone whether they like running or not.

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Redbillie21]

Definitely, I never thought I would be able to run (unless my house was on fire maybe) but here I am, heading for week 6!

[giddyaunts Graduate]

Wooohooo, well done

That run was the scary one, all behind you now, really well done, you'll soon be on that graduation podium x

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to giddyaunts]

Wasn't it just? I was so worried about it! Thank you, I really hope so and am beginning to believe I just might get there!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Well done!!!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you very much!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Pretty soon you will be "Fitslimsal - Graduate" Well done

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Aww thanks, that's a long way off though I have lost a tiny bit of weight but no where near enough!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Bigfatsal]

Just like the 5k you will get there

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Way to go Sal!

[Bigfatsal Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you!