Wow...I only went and graduated

[Julesh15]

Yesterday I completed the third run (jog) of week nine. Did I think I was going to get there?...No!!!

Nine weeks ago I couldn't run a minute and at the start of every new week came a new challenge that I struggled with. Week five and week eight were a real brick wall but the great community on here helped me through it...so thank you so much guys 😊

I have learnt far more though than how to run for thirty minutes. Throughout the nine weeks I have beat myself up because I had to slow down my pace or on some runs had to take walk breaks throughout the runs but it has been a learning journey. I have learnt personally for me it isn't about the speed I go or the distance I cover but the fact that I got up early in the morning or later in the evening and three times a week completed the runs. I learnt to reflect and realise that nine weeks ago I couldn't have achieved what I did yesterday. Most of all I was able to get out, enjoy the fresh air, not be bothered what people think of the sweaty beetroot faced attempted runner puffing by and it is something that I as a 24/7 carer was able to achieve. For three times a week it was selfishly my brief time for me to realise and achieve. Sadly at the moment I don't have time to run any more than thirty minutes but I will carry on and hopefully build on the 4.02Km I did yesterday. I know I didn't achieve the 5k and know from some posts that is important to some but that wasn't the goal for me in the end

Thanks again to all those who helped me get to this point and happy running everyone. If I can do it anyone can 🏃‍♀️

[MotherPip Graduate]

Fantastic...very well done. The 5k will come in time. 🎆🏅🏃🏃🏃🏃

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to MotherPip]

Thank you...if I can carry on getting out running for thirty minutes I will be chuffed 😊🏃‍♀️

[MotherPip Graduate in reply to Julesh15]

Yes, do keep doing it and you'll soon see yourself improving... I didn't and that saddens me but I do jog/ walk round a parkrun now and then

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to MotherPip]

Don't beat yourself up, you are still getting up and out no anything you do has to be better than sitting on the couch

[jaybro28 Graduate]

Well done! And don't give your distance at 30 minutes a second thought. Most people don't achieve 5k in 30 at first (I didn't/don't either).

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to jaybro28]

Thank you...at the start of the longer runs I did start to beat myself up over the distance thing but after good advice like yours I threw that out of the window and focussed on going at a pace that was manageable and running thirty minutes was something I never thought I'd do so I'm fairly happy...thanks again 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😊

[GrannyHelen57 Graduate in reply to Julesh15]

Yes be happy , I 'graduated' at the beginning of June at the grand old age of 59 ! Never run a minute in my life before. I can now run 5K but never quicker than 42 mins sometimes 46 mins . However I celebrate that I am jogging horrendously red faced but achieving something I never thought possible!!! So must do the same, we are all fantastic 😀😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to GrannyHelen57]

You should be so proud and 42-46minutes is a great time to do 5k in. It doesn't matter how slow or fast we go it's the thing that we get out and do it...as for the red face I can relate to that only to well and it's evidence I'm out there putting the effort in and getting off the couch. Keep it up and enjoy you are doing brilliantly

[Jomarie1979 Graduate]

Yaay congratulations 🎉🎉

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Jomarie1979]

😊thank you 🏃‍♀️

[damienair Graduate]

Congratulations and well done. Enjoy your post graduate runs and keep taking that time for yourself. It's not selfish, it's vital. Well done again.

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thank you for those kind words really appreciated 😊

[SueKen Graduate]

What a fantastic post - well done on your graduation 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to SueKen]

Thank you so much for your kind words 😊

[Dpsl Graduate]

Great post! Congratulations and best of luck for your running future

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Dpsl]

Thank you, although sad the program has ended I am also really looking forward to carrying on with the running journey 🏃‍♀️😊

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Well done. We are all following the same programme, but we are all running our own route, and for our own reasons.

Like you, I chose this partly because I felt I could realistically fit 30 minutes of running into my life. And you know what, it isn't really about how fast you run or how far you get in 30 mins - it's just about getting out there and doing it.

Now take a bow, and go grab that badge 🎂🎊🎊🎊🎇🎇🎆🎆🎆

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you and congratulations to you too 🥇🏆🏃‍♀️

You are totally right. It is an individual program even though we all follow the same plan. There is no right or no wrong just achieving it at a pace that is right for you

Well done again and keep on running and enjoy 😊🏃‍♀️

[Sarahb18 Graduate]

Well done and congratulations you should be very proud!

As you say this programme is brilliant and individual to each of us . We not only learn about running we also get an insight into ourselves ..... slow and steady is good and I am learning to be patient 😁

So keep doing what you've been doing and that little bit of your time is so important.

Well done😊

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Sarahb18]

Thank you for those lovely kind words

Enjoy your running and I'm sure we'll carry on learning some more 🏃‍♀️😊

[CallyL]

Well done - a fantastic achievement! Be very proud of yourself!

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to CallyL]

Thank you, so appreciated 😊

[Vonnie63 Graduate]

Well done 🏅

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Vonnie63]

Thank you 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Congratulations.

That is an amazing achievement and a lovely post. Learning to run is a process of learning about ourselves, the self imposed limitations that we create and ultimately the empowerment of realising that we can actually do way more than we believed. All it takes is dedication, determination, hard work and a good training plan.......... oh, and the support of a bunch of people who understand your challenges helps too.

keep running, keep smiling.

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much for those kind words and all your support along the way

When I started the program I thought it would be I go out I try to run end of but the journey has been far more than that. Its all those things you've just described

It is a continuous journey too and I'm sure the learning is only just beginning so I look forward to doing that alongside a great bunch of people to keep me on track and keep smiling 😊🏃‍♀️

[Limawhite Graduate]

Having just graduated myself a couple of weeks ago, I tried to push myself to get up to 5k quickly which I did, but it was an effort, the weather very hot and I was starting to feel reluctant to run. So I have decided to just consolidate my 30 minute runs for a few more weeks and make sure I enjoy them! After that I will start to work at increasing speed and distance.

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Limawhite]

Congratulations to you to and thank you.

The positive for you is that you have learnt from that experience and are being sensible. It has to be enjoyable and the progress you have and are making is brilliant. You have a clear plan to which is brilliant.

Sadly due to caring for my son a 30minute run is all I can do but that is enough for me to recharge my battery and get out as well as building on what I have achieved.

Keep running and be enjoy 🏃‍♀️😊

[Hidden]

Many congratulations. A fantastic achievement!

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[CJ24 Graduate]

Congratulations Graduate I totally understand the brief time that these runs provide. 🏃🏅

[Julesh15 Graduate in reply to CJ24]

Thank you for those kind words. The Thirty minutes is bliss and is far better having that than no time at all 🏃‍♀️😊