W9 R1 Done!!!!

[Bestcat]

Hi y'all

I'm so new to this site - only discovered it in W8!!! Wish I'd found this 9 weeks ago!!!

Anyway, here I am - the wrong side of 55 - never run in my life before now, and suddenly I'm about to graduate!!!

Like most people, I've had challenges - mostly the VERY hot weather we have had in the south since I started W1 at the end of June! My most enjoyable runs to date were W6 R3 and W7 R1 & R2 when I visited my brother in Scotland where the temperature was so much fresher and cooler!!!

I have mostly run outdoors although when it was too hot, resorted to the air-con of the treadmill at the gym! (Have never run on that before!)

I can remember oh so well dreading the 3 minute run and then the horrifying jump from 5 mins to 20 mins - so elated when I achieved that one!!!

I can honestly say that sometimes I have had 2 rest days in between running & on 2 occasions a break of 4 days (weekend away/life work & family getting in the way), and agonising as to whether I would then achieve the next run or not. But I did!!

My reason for starting to run this late in life is because up until now I have been walking daily for 2 hours with my trusty dogs who now sadly are very old & can't do long distances anymore. Gym and swimming are fine but I miss being outdoors in the fresh air.

For the record I am definitely not at the 5k stage yet, (more like 3k) but my aim was to be able to run continuously for 30 mins regardless of the speed. I know that I am faster & can go for longer when it is cooler and that the heat slows me considerably but I'm hoping this will improve in time!

My mantra is the infamous words of Dory from Finding Nemo!!

"Just Keep Running" 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏆

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Sounds like you didn't need the forum and have worked it all out for yourself, nonetheless, welcome.

Once you graduate, if you want to step up your distance, there is a Bridge to 10k forum and also a marathon and race support forum. Meanwhile read around here and I am sure you will pick up lots of good tips.

Good luck with W9.

[Bestcat Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Many thanks for the tip. I was starting to wonder what to do next. I'm planning to carry on with the 30 mins until (one fine day hopefully) it becomes easier!😬

Great forum btw I'm really feeling everyone's pain and good to know that it doesn't matter how fast/fit or far you go as long as you don't give up!!

I'm off to explore the 10k tips now - will give me something to think about during the next 2 runs!!😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Go you! Very, very well done!

[Bestcat Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊

[MsFickle]

Thats fabulous the programme is brilliant isnt it and the support from the C25K I graduated 2 weeks ago and I am repeating week 9 still aren't close to 5 K , more like 3.80 in 30 minutes but I figure at my age , any running is better than none

[Bestcat Graduate in reply to MsFickle]

Me too!

Also graduated 2 weeks ago & repeating week 9 & also doing about 3.5 in 30, but I don't care! It was always about running continuously not speed or distance!

At my age I amaze myself every day not only that I can do this but also that I enjoy it!! 😊🏃

[Tricky2836]

Your nearly there, doing amazing well done 😀

[Bestcat Graduate in reply to Tricky2836]

Thanks! I actually graduated 2 weeks ago!

Still buzz in' from it! 🏆🏃

[Tricky2836 in reply to Bestcat]

Oooopps well done on graduating 🏅🏃

[Hidden]

congrats! i finish this thursday. my best run? today. week 9 run 2. i actually didn't get worn out or puffed out, and in the last five minutes increased my pace from 11.42 to 10.30 min per mile. well pleased with that. that's the first time i have been able to speed up at end. this programme def. does work!