I did it!!! Yes!!!

After not quite making it the other day, I am proud to report that I took everyone's advice and started much more slowly. It honestly made all the difference to the whole run, it was so much easier. And my distance in the end was hardly affected - I ran 4.2km instead of my usual 4.3, but a really different experience. So it bodes well for me continuing to run and keep up the gains I have made. I am fitter and have lost some weight (I've cut down on snacking too), and just feel good! Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way - mentors of course, and all of you xxx 🌟

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

This is a wonderful report! Well done you. Running just that wee bit slower really helps. This is not a race, but a stamina building programme. Speed can come later. Glad you feel good! That feeling will keep you going. Well done! 👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

You're right!! Thanks!!

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

That's brilliant, well done, doing over 4k is really good.

[Hidden in reply to Martin_Rose]

Well thank you! I was pleased when I found out I was running 4km. 5km should just take another 5mins or so, and if I run slowly the extra 5 mins doesn't seem impossible ☺

[Hidden]

Lovely, slowly always gets the prize! and so did you today. well done

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Slowly slowly always wins.

Totally agree with you on the extra 5 mins. Keeping it slow and steady makes you feel you can do that little bit more.

Go girl !

[Hidden in reply to GingerBohemian]

Yes clever me!! Feel good!! Thanks Ginger!! 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Fantastic Pelican...and wasn't that W9 R3 so that makes it your Graduation Run🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏👏

Well done, what a lovely run to finish the plan on..and you're right 5 more mins should have you up to 5k. Just get there slowly though. You could do a few more of these lovely 30 min runs before adding a minute to the start of your run to gradually get to the 5k mark.

Enjoy your celebrations and you need your badge Graduate 😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I've ordered my badge, and yes I forgot to mention it was W9 R3!!! Thanks for all your encouragement along the way xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You don't even mention graduation in your post!!!!

Well done on getting there at last.

Hoping it doesn't sound too pedantic, but your pace is 7:09m/k, so it is a bit more than an extra 5 minutes to get to 5k. Being precise with the figures does tell you whether you have a mountain or molehill to conquer to hit a target.

Many congratulations, fellow runner and welcome to the graduate club.

keep running, keep smiling.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Lol - yes I forgot to mention, I'm a graduate now!!! Thanks for the warning about times, I'll work it out better before I do a parkrun. I will probably do a number of 30 mins runs before that, or edge up to 35 maybe. ☺

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Great!! Glad you’ve found your pace, makes it much more enjoyable....keep it up!!

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks, and well done to you too!! 😀

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Oh wow...you’ve graduated too?!!! Yipeeeee!!! 🎉🎉🎉🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🥇🥇

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Wow that is awesome well done🏆

[Hidden in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thanks!! Feeling good!!!

[Hidden]

Well done! Hadn't noticed you'd graduated. Brilliant! Hoping that will be me soon. All these graduation posts are inspirational

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It's been a great experience, and a revelation that I can actually run for 30 minutes! I think a lot of us are just amazed how well the programme works - it sounds as though it's working for you too xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, against all the odds, in my mind at least, it does seem to be working very well I'm hoping that come Tuesday, I'll be able to say that I can run for 20 minutes...!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes that W5 R3 run - I remember mine!! You can't quite believe you'll do it, but it really does seem to work!!! Good luck!!! Look forward to hearing you've done it ☺

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Haha I love your optimism I will give it my best, and of course I shall report back!!

[PaddyD68]

Absolutely fantastic I'm so pleased for you, only just seen this I thought I would get a some sort of prompt as I thought I was following you.

[Hidden in reply to PaddyD68]

Hi there PaddyD!! Yes, thank you, I did it and it went so well! Yes you are following me, I got a message telling me, so it should tell you I posted...