The end is nigh!

[Tracey5kOneDay]

Having completed W8R3 on 5 August I had my final week of the plan organised and should have graduated by now!

However, life and stuff continues to get in the way and I started W9 this morning with the expectation that if I could run for 20 minutes I would be happy and any more would be a bonus.

The slow and steady mantra on repeat in my head and in time with my pace, Kevin Fong on Desert Island Discs in my ears and Mr Smooth beside me all the way and off I went.

I did it! For the first time ever in my 53 years I ran non-stop for 30 minutes!!! I wasn't fast - 7 to 8 km/hr and nowhere near 5k, only 4.6k including the walk either end but I don't care!

I never ever ever thought that I would get this far and I so hope that I can complete the final 2 runs this week.

Reading all of your posts has pushed me this far so thank you. Even if you don't know that you've helped, you have my fellow C25k'ers!

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Amazing feeling isn't it? And that's due to all your hard work. Mr Johnson is there to show you the way, we are here to support and share in your joy and pain. But you are the one that has to get out of the door and push yourself to do it, so well done you.

Enjoy the last two runs and here's to the many post graduation runs - where you get to run, just because you can!

[Hidden]

Well done you fellow smoothie... Speed is overrated. And you will do the last 2 runs, us smoothies have grit.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

So close now... well done you! The badge is off the shelf and we will all be there to cheer you on in at the end of week 9

[Gillma Graduate]

Oh, wow! Fabulous. No one can take that one away from you 👏👏👏

[CookieM Graduate]

Life does get in the way sometimes- but you got back out there, so well done. Nearly there!!!

[Razouski]

Well done for getting back out there. Not long now. 😀

[Jododds]

That's brilliant! Well done

[Tracey5kOneDay Graduate]

Thank you all so much - run 2 is pencilled in for tomorrow so think of me! Part of me doesn't want it to end because I like the structure of it but I know that me and Mr Smooth will have to go our separate ways 😞

As I have got this far using only a treadmill, I am thinking about repeating the whole thing outdoors as I'm sure the benefits and accessibility are greater. Then Mr Smooth and I can rekindle our relationship 😙

[Jododds in reply to Tracey5kOneDay]

How did your run go?

[Tracey5kOneDay Graduate in reply to Jododds]

Hi Jododds , I didn't get chance to run yesterday and unlikely to do so today either 😞 wish me luck for tomorrow!

[Jododds]

I do indeed!

[Jododds]

You absolute star!