I've graduated!

[JojoButter]

I was so grumpy & tired this morning but went running anyway. I felt so much brighter & so proud of myself when I finished. It's taken me 3 months but I've finally completed c25k. Yay! Thanks for the encouragement I've been given on here. 😊

[Hidden]

Brilliant well done ! Bet you'll have a big cheesy grin all day ! I know I did when I graduated ! Sometimes still do ! As you said although you felt tired and grumpy you were obviously determined and still went out running.

I sometimes don't feel so good at first going out running but once out and complete it despite not feeling good the sense of achievement is even greater !

Again well done to you. You'll have to let us know what cunning plan you have for your future running.

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks joepublic. I'm planning to stay at 30 mins for now but throw in a few Chilterns hills. 😊

[Hidden in reply to JojoButter]

Sounds good. I got to a certain level running about 6K for 40 minutes. Xmas and other issues occasionally only did 2 instead of regular 3 runs. I'm now just got back to consolidating where I left off before xmas. Had great run in sunshine today for first time in months which helps.

As I've said to myself (as I've bored everyone else with this quote I might as well inflict it on you also !) "My aim was to run for 30 minutes and anything else is a bonus". I don't have ambitions to do marathons or anything but I have built myself a "stamina buffer" running for 40 minutes so I know that I can always run 30 minutes relatively easy 3 times a week.

I now have a good habit with great health and well being that I don't want to give up. I even run 4 1/4 K as one day a week as one of my 3 runs per week. Never at any great speed . Still only do 5K in about 35 minutes. you will probably find that your speed will increase without even trying. But I don't worry about my speed. I will occasionally experiment with the other podcasts for speed on my shorter runs to make it interesting but that's as far as it goes.

Anyway again well done.

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm fascinated by what different people do after c25k. Before I started running, I had no idea training could be so diverse. I'll definitely be stealing the 40 mins stamina buffer idea. I did think I would miss the programme & the podcasts but I'm actually looking forward to more freedom.

Thanks again for your replies + happy running!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to JojoButter]

Got to love those hills... and the rain.. and the wind... x

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I enjoy the wind & rain. It makes me feel close to the natural environment around me. I'm also never very fussed about my hair which helps.😊

[McFitty Graduate]

Congratulations JojoButter !

It took me about 3 months to complete the programme too but wow, the feeling is certainly worth the wait!

Enjoy your free running now. It can take you wherever and whenever you want😊

Only 3pm here... time for a quick partay before school's out?

Go on, you know you want to😉

🎈🌟🍹🎉🍻🍸🏆🎂🎓🎂🏆🍸🍻🎉🍹🌟🎈

🎶🎶CONGRATULATIONS🎶🎶

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Thanks McFitty. A large glass of medicinal red is definitely mine tonight after my little terrors are in bed. 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Well done you that is such an achievement... and also I so agree, once you get out there its all worth it

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks ju-ju-. Running definitely helps banish the grumps. 😊

[WhenIm64]

Like you I just wanted to keep the fitness I had achieved and just run 3 times a week. I did 2 x 35 min runs (no walking, just very slow to start) and 1 run of 5k. After a while it got a bit boring, so now I do a Parkrun every week as one of my runs. I never tried going faster, but it came naturally as I got fitter. I have no intention of running further. Tip for your first Parkrun - go very slowly so you can soon achieve a personal best! As an older runner I am often first in my age group (and often the only one!)

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to WhenIm64]

Thanks WhenIm64. I'm nervous about parkruns just yet. I'm going to get more secure at 5k & fitter first. Good tip on going slow first time!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation Jojo..😄🎉🎉🎊

Well done and happy running.x

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Congratulations Graduate! Massive well done you !

That badge is looking really good on you...as McFitty says.. It is time to party!!!

[JojoButter Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss!

I hadn't noticed the graduate badge. Woo-hoo! That's made my evening!