W9R3 - over the moon!

[sjs1969]

Dear lovely running friends, thank you to everyone who has posted their own experiences here or been kind enough to reply to my posts, thinking of you all helped me keep going in the last five minutes of my run this morning.

It wasn't a great start, to be honest, slipping and sliding on the wet leaves and mud and getting hopelessly tangled up when I tried to take off a layer mid-run! But my happy pace returned for the middle section of the run and lifted my spirits. I even looked forward to the uphill sections as they were easier to stay upright due to the slipperiness underfoot! how very unlike 😁 Yes, it was tough towards the end but I heard you all cheering and didn't want to let you down 😊

Feeling absolutely elated, I checked to see how far I'd run on Runkeeper - as I had decided to run just with my music and without Jo. And guess what, it told me that I'd run for 37 mins and for 5.22k! Felt a bit teary at the point - in the words of Viva la Vida - 'people couldn't believe what I'd become' - a born-again runner!!

So, my message to all of you wonderful people taking up the C25k challenge is 'yes, you can!!' Onwards and upwards and keep believing in yourself 😊

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Well done 👍🏼 and that graduation podium is where you belong!!

Time of 37 mins for 5.22k is bloody good too!! Go grab that graduation badge as you so deserve it 😊👍🏼

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to Kimchoc08]

Thank you so much, Kim, I'm all of a flutter! And this is a girl who couldn't run for a minute without almost collapsing - what a journey it has been! 🏃‍♀️

[Kimchoc08 Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

It's an incredible journey isn't it? Makes you feel all fluffy inside 😊😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop...🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations sjs😊

Graduation and a 5k rolled into one, yoy did not let us or yourself down😎

Step up to that podium and celebrate👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Very Well done😊x

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you so much, Jan, you've been so encouraging ever since I first dared post here! I'm still in shock about the distance - speed must have been creeping up without me realising 😀

As for celebrating, there's a bottle of prosecco chilling....!🥂

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

Cheers...enjoy😄xx

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

37 mins for 5.22k...wow!

And what a great post. Dont forget to get your graduate badge and wear it with pride !!

But 1st enjoy your 1st Friday night as a C25K graduate. You deserve it!

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

Thank you so much, GB, I was grinning so much on the way home that the dog walkers gave me some funny looks 😀

Will raise a toast to you all this evening - have a great weekend too!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good work! And massive congratulations on your graduation! You are an inspiration. 👏👏👏

[sjs1969 Graduate]

That's too kind of you, Sadie, I heard you cheering me on so it works both ways! Enjoy your final week, not long now until you're pushing me off the podium 😄

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

There's room for two. 😀

[GeorgiosA Graduate]

Congratulations!!! How very well done, going for longer and smashing that 5K target!

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to GeorgiosA]

Thank you so much, no-one is more surprised than me! Immersing myself in my music has been the trick for me. Happy days!

[lardofale Graduate]

Great work, well done to you! There's a new army of runners because of this wonderful programme and the fabulous people who contribute to this forum with advice and encouragement!

Now, don't try to run on those wet leaves after that well deserved bottle of bubbly! ;0)

[sjs1969 Graduate]

Ha ha! I'm certainly going to enjoy my rest days on the weekend, so hopefully will have sobered up by Monday! Thank you so much 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

I shall raise a glass of bubbly to you this evening

[Sweatyfaced Graduate]

Whoop whoop, go you!! Many congratulations you brilliant person!! Enjoy the podium and enjoy your new life as a runner!! 👏👏👏

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to Sweatyfaced]

Thank you for your kind words - it's lovely to have joined such a great bunch of people through running! Can't wait to go running in Dorset next week 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeay!!!! Congratulations you!!!

Very well done... you are a GRADUATE!!!

Happy Pace.. happy runner and great final run

Wow... Now..get to the podium and get that badge

[sjs1969 Graduate]

Thank you for all your wise words and encouragement, Oldfloss, they have given me hope when I've struggled with every new challenge. And to think I'm even getting to like running uphill, whatever next?! 😊

[Devonginge]

Well done!!! 🍾🍾🍾