Foof!!!!!

[OliverJames]

I have completed the course (last night) have a mixture of emotions running through me right now. A huge sense of achievement, a new core of resolve, relief (and a little bit of sadness tbh) This last run was honedtly the best yet. As i kept on going time seemed to slow down i mean really! It felt as though i was running for ages. I passed fellow runners (that sounds odd to say) and we gave the customary nod. One lady in green passed me early on and we grinned, then much later on she came tearing past me again and said something (which i couldn't hear due to my headphones and heavy breathing) but we were on the same route, well sort of, she soon disappeared into the distance but that did spur me on. Running a new route my body found a rythmn and i just kept going. Past busy restaurants and bars along the high street. I was soaked but i didn"t care. I sailed past the left hand turn that i would normally take for the home stretch and just carried on! Out of no where my phone told me to slow down, i had run for 35 minutes and completed 5.2km!!! I can't quite believe it. This program really works. Now i am looking forward to heading to Bushy Park tomorrow morning and trying my first parkrun. I am a runner and my friends think i'm crazy!! (If only they knew!) Happy running peeps. Keep smiling. OJ

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Massive congratulations Graduate! Great run, great post!

Bask in the glory and then take a few runs for the pure joy of running, before you decide where this running journey is going to take you next!

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

It's going on holiday... my running stuff is already in my suitcase and I fly out on Sunday. Looking forward to a few early morning beach runs.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to OliverJames]

Beautiful... enjoy....

[K311y33 Graduate]

Well done! Enjoy it! And your holiday!

[Sillyyak13 Graduate]

I'm lying in my pit reading this. Lol. Well done you. I can't wait to get where you are. Brilliant. 🏃🎆🎋🎉🎊

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Sillyyak13]

Thanks alot. Just keep going and you will get there before you know it. One step at a time. I felt the same as you 8 weeks ago. This forum is a huge help. Good luck with your running journey. Ollie

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Your face says it all, huge well done and enjoy parkrun at Bushy. Don't forget to post for your badge 😎😎😎

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Yey!!! Brilliant post....you definitely ARE a runner!!!! M

Long may it continue...the happiness in your face shines through...I'm just off out to tackle W5R3..again...you've given me inspiration 💪🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Wow thank you! I know how you feel, it was people on here that i took my inspiration from. Keep going and it will happen. Smile and enjoy your run. OJ

[CallyL]

Well done 🏃

[Gem0903 Graduate]

Well done and massive congratulations..

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations and what a lovely post! What I love about coming on here, (almost two years since I completed the programme) is hearing that absolute love of running, enthusiasm and real pride that so many of us find through Couch 2 5K! It is the begInning of a great journey - good luck with your Parkrun tomorrow too! 🙂

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done graduate, brilliant achievement 🎓🌟🏅

[Hidden]

WOW! This was fab to read! You so deserve to feel good about it, you stuck to it and made it! I cant wait to feel that achievement and pride! Well done!

Let us know how the park run goes!

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks HB. Just keep putting your running shoes on and it will happen. 😁

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Well done! What a fabulous post and great photo - you look as if you are bursting with pride, and rightly so! Hope you have a great holiday, and enjoy those wonderful beach runs.

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Thanks for your support Helene. I am really looking forward to feeling sand under my feet, will make a nice change to tarmac! OJ

[Hidden]

Foof indeed!

Nice to see lots of happy graduates this morning

Enjoy your holiday and enjoy the running. Who'd of thought a few weeks ago that your running gear would be packed?I bet they were first items in the case😊👍🏃

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Hidden]

This whole journey has been a revalation. You are so right I put the gear in first and found myself chuckling as it would have been the furthest thing from my thoughts only 8 weeks ago! Now i'm planning my holiday around my running schedule. Its bonkers really but in such a good way.

[sheps Graduate in reply to OliverJames]

What a joyous series of posts, Oj. Congratulations on your achievement.

You have reinspired me. I'm thinking about what to do next, struggling a bit with an occasional calf issue) and suffering a bit with the lack of Michael or Jo telling me what to do but your enthusiasm and verve has given me a good kick up the jacksie and I'll be out tomorrowgiving it my all. Thank you.

[unlikelyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations!! fab picture and fantastic post. Enjoy your holiday runs.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop congratulations OliverJames😊🎉🎉🎉🎉

What a great graduation run with 5k thrown in (because you could)😄😎

Well done and good luck with the Parkrun (nice and steady and don't worry if you need a walk break with that 5k in your legs from yesterday)

You fully deserve your badge, welcome to the Graduates lounge😊

Happy running adventures...

[OliverJames Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks so much! I will go slow and steady i promise. All the helpful advice has got me here in one piece and I intend to carry on in the same fashion! 😁

[Hidden]

Congrats OJ loving the orange and pink combo. Nice shiny graduation badge to sparkle, like your smile