Me and Julie and Laura have only gone and done it!

[Nervousnewbie]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Week 9 run 3 in the bag! I even did an extra victory run at the end of the five minute cool down so I could burst through my front door breathless, sweaty and triumphant ( that was quite hard, I definitely find longer runs easier than intervals.....though I NEVER thought I would say that). The sun was shining, I may have managed to run a tiny bit faster than usual (although I then started to get pre-stitch-like feelings so slowed down to my usual crawl).

It's taken me a day short of 11 weeks. Some of it has been quite tough but the amazing support on this forum has got me through the self-doubt and wimpiness. I have run on a beach in Italy and had my brother create and share a hilarious video of me slo-mo running set to the theme tune from Chariots of Fire, I have swapped "running stories" with colleagues at work, I have signed up for Parkrun (though haven't managed to get to one yet) and I will be participating in a 5k race for life in June.

If you had told me I would be doing any of these things at the beginning of the year I would have laughed outwardly and inwardly felt a bit sad and pathetic. BUT the programme works! I have run 3ish times a week for 11 weeks and I am going to continue doing so. This is just the start!

[Miller2]

Congratulations! That graduation feeling is totally amazing isn't it? Your hard work has paid off - now go and sign up for your graduation badge!

[SueKen Graduate]

Great post - well done!

[Hidden]

Fabulous. I am really happy for you! Enjoy the feeling😁🏃😁

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much 😊

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I am milking it for all it's worth!

[Sweatyfaced Graduate in reply to Nervousnewbie]

So you should!!! Xxx

[Nervousnewbie Graduate]

Ooh yes I had forgotten about that in my excitement. My first bit of running bling albeit virtual bling.

[Hidden in reply to Nervousnewbie]

Will you change your moniker now

Great-graduate maybe?

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes I definitely feel a new name is in order and it will be alliterative.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Fantastic well done. A new runner is born😎 Now go get that shiny graduation bling and see how it looks next to your name👍

[jt24 Graduate]

Well done

🏃🏃🏃

[MrsShrek]

Fantastic job - sounds like you've enjoyed it too! I alway hum along to 'Me and Julie'😂 Are you going to do the stepping stone podcasts with Laura?

I am hoping to join the graduate club later today......fingers crossed. 👍🏼

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to MrsShrek]

Brilliant! Good luck! I enjoy the amazingness of actually having done it. The actual experience while running hasn't always been enjoyable although something definitely clicked in this last week. My goal is to be able to run 5k so I think I'm just going to run a little further every run for the moment till I get there. I currently do about 2 laps of a squarish park and 3 will apparently be 5k so I was planning to add an extra quarter lap and see how that feels and build up that wayThen I guess stepping stones if that improves pace and stamina. How about you?

[MrsShrek in reply to Nervousnewbie]

My goal is to do 5k to (in30 mins eventually). I do a longer warm up and cool down than Laura's 5 mins x 2 so end up doing between 6 and 8k total. Yes, it is amazing to run having always despised running previously - even when I was young, fit and slim (many moons ago) the longest I ever managed to run was 18 mins and that was on a treadmill!

Now we need to keep it up - I have downloaded the stepping stones apps.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nervousnewbie]

Try a few runs, just for pure joy..because you are a runner... then just see where your feet take you ?

[Wizziewood]

Well done, that's great.

Now go for that Park Run ... I'm planning my first PR next Saturday ... I'll be thinking of you.

Congratulations graduate, Happy Running!

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Wizziewood]

Good luck with PR! Looking forward to hearing all about it next Sat.

[Irish-John Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!!! (please post the video 😄)

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

The world is not ready.....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nervousnewbie]

Oh yes we are

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Nervousnewbie]

We are! We are!!! ☺

[Jaxdreamer Graduate]

Fantastic!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge congratulations...Graduate...very well done

You are right...this is just the start of the next bit of your journey and it is so exciting!!! But right now...bask in the glory and get ready for the Graduation party....Yeay!!!!

Now..go get your badge..it is all polished and waiting!!!

[Slinkymalinki Graduate]

Well done!! It sounds a tad dramatic to say this is life changing but I genuinely feel it is! The programme is so much more than just a set of instructions; the self confidence & empowerment it gives is priceless. Happy running, graduate!☺

[Nervousnewbie Graduate in reply to Slinkymalinki]

So true 🙂