Week 8 All Done! (This one was much better)

Morning keen runnerbeans,

What a difference a day('s rest) makes, 48 little hours...

W8R2 I was a dead man barely moving by the end of the run. Yes it was my furthest distance, at just over 5k including the walk, but boy did it take it out of me. So - with the words of Oldfloss and Sadie-runs gently screaming in my ear "told you so, slow and steady!!!" I did just that, I found my comfortable pace, then slowed it down a little. What a difference! At no point in the run did I feel that I couldn't manage it.

The run itself was fairly uneventful. I ran through a few of the more shallow puddles, slowed to nearly a walk over a mudbath, said "hello" to various dog walkers, intrepid joggers, and random people. I turned round at the half way point (of course) and made it back to the start point of my run exactly when the time was up. I even managed a 30 second sprint finish. When I say "sprint" I of course mean slightly less snail like.

So, that's done. Week 9? I'm coming for you!!

Thanks as always to everyone who's been cheering me on. And an encouragement to those of us new at this programme, if I can do this, you certainly can. It's amazing, and fun!

[Richard7 Graduate]

Well done Neil. Glad you got to your happy pace. Keep it slow and steady. I set off too quick this morning and wished I hadn't!

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Thanks Richard7 , yes, I did that last run I think, I tried to run before I could run? Slow and steady is definitely the way. I knew that anyway, i was just a little too eager last time. Today was a good run though

[Feegle Graduate]

Well done Neil, I'm glad you found your "happy pace" for that run

Week 9 isn't too bad - only 2 minutes extra per run, you'll do it no problem!

[Hidden in reply to Feegle]

Thanks Feegle , I feel OK about week 9 after today's run. Week 9 eh? What could possibly go wrong!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm putting the kettle on and laying out your place at the Graduation Table already

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John , if the kettle's on, that's it, coming your way. I never miss the opportunity for a cuppa

[Wantitbad in reply to Feegle]

Congrats keep it up😊

[Hidden in reply to Wantitbad]

Thank you

[Hidden]

That’s awesome Neil, well done you! Did you ever believe you’d get to week 9?! You’ve done amazingly well and especially with your knee. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with week 9. Best of luck!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden , nope, I didn't believe I'd get past week 1 run 1 to be honest!! Thanks for all the encouragement along the way, it means a lot, it really does. And I've just spotted your W5R3 post - well done, I'll reply in a bit!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

What would we have done without C25K?! Thank you for the encouragement too ☺️ crazy to think we are going to be congratulating each other on graduating soon 😳

[Windoze Graduate]

Good work fella 😁

[Hidden in reply to Windoze]

Thanks Windoze , see you at the finish line!!!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

This is lovely, just lovely! 😘 So happy you finished this week on a high, and that you found a good pace. Going slow gives us the chance to feel really comfortable in a run, and that's important at this stage in our running careers. Focussing on stamina is so important. Very pleased with you!

And now it's my turn to get excited - just three runs to graduation! Woo hoo! Week 9 is lovely. 30 minutes will be totally do-able, and you will really feel like a runner.

Good work Mr Neil, good work. x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you Sadie-runs , yes, it was a good run this morning. Although I like running along the cycle path near work, you can't beat the canal for a bit of variety. Honestly though, your cheerleading has been amazing, thanks so much for all your thoughtful support, even the tough love bits

Speaking of which... I shall reply to your latest post shortly!!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

That's brilliant, knew you could do it! Love the idea of a sprint finish at snails pace 😂 welcome to week 9 and the sprint to the podium 🏃👍

[Hidden in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thanks Carolyn, I think in actual fact, a "light jog", as Jo put it, would probably be more like it, though I have to say, I loved that half minute of going faster. But I shall be good! I'll need to be if I want to graduate next Sunday...

[Hidden]

Nicely done, and so glad you managed to stay alive to write the report!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well it was touch and go, especially after the last one lol! Thanks Jan x

[Christene Graduate]

Well done Hidden slow and steady always wins the day. Mate, you have truly got the end in sight .... and I'm not too far behind you ...

[Hidden in reply to Christene]

Hey Christene, thank you Slow and steady is good, and I finally believe I can do this. And I believe you can to! Watching how you've got on has been great, really encouraging actually!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Really encouraging thanks - O'm 2 weeks behind you. 😄

[Hidden in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you! We're doing ok aren't we? Did you ever think you'd get as far as you have? I certainly didn't! Me, I mean lol!

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

Well done really glad this run was better 😁

[Hidden in reply to Jenny1970]

Awww thanks. So am I lol! I love the good runs, they kind-of restore my enthusiasm, which is much needed, as is the brilliant support of you lovely lot!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Yes, its supposed to be fun Neil..😊

Well done, that run sounds like a Poppins run...'Practically Perfect in Every Way'😉

So.....Week 9....Go you..and enjoy it😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Yeah - I cheated and flew the whole thing using my brolly Thanks so much for all your support over the weeks, you've just kind-of always been there, being supportive. Thank you x

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Well done Neil!! Now go grab Week 9 and show it what you’re made of!!

[Hidden in reply to Kimchoc08]

Hey Kim, thanks! It's not so long ago I was following your progress through this stage, and that had been, and still is, a real encouragement. So thank you!! x

[Kimchoc08 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Pleasure is all mine 😊😊

[Kippinsimpson]

Lol that is what exactly happened to me!!! Wk8 run 2 was probably the worst run I had experienced over the whole programme...... how I completed it I’ll never know but when I checked my stats it was my best😂😂😂 is off to complete week 8 later - and you’ve really put my confidence back on track by reading this post. Thank you 😊

[Hidden in reply to Kippinsimpson]

Me too actually, never run that fast before, which of course meant it was too fast. But that's just a memory now, in C25K's rich tapestry. And I'm honoured if something I've said has made a difference. Thank you!

[Sandyscroll]

Yay! 👏 👏 👏 👏

I love it when a run comes together. Well done! And you're right, it's a great feeling! I still run with Oldfloss in my head telling me to go slower too. And eventually, I listen! 😂😂😂

(Sorry Oldfloss , I never was a good student)

[Hidden in reply to Sandyscroll]

Haha - yes I know that feeling very well! Floss is actually a parrot sitting on my shoulder when I run, squawking "slow and steady" over and over

[Wannabefit19 Graduate]

Brilliant nearly on that podium ... all waiting excitedly to help you up to take your place ..... graduation awaits 🏆🏅

[Hidden in reply to Wannabefit19]

Yes, after 3 x 30 minute runs, I'll almost certainly need a hand up lol Thanks though, it's appreciated!

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Whoo whoo another one ticked off Neil . U so got this 😀🏃

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Thanks Shelby, and so do you! You can totally do this too. Where are you at now, W8?

[Shelby1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Run 3 today wk8 🏃‍♀️ although I’m going away to Tattershall Lakes till Friday so running gear packed as apparently it’s beautiful with loads of places to run . Was going to run this morning before leaving but thought. Change of scenery might be nice so going to run once there 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Ooh that sounds lovely, I bet there are some great places to run. And just to sit and relax too! Have a lovely time Oh and hope the run goes/went OK!!

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Hope to see you on that graduate podium soon! 😊

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thank you! And likewise! Loved your post about leaves btw. Unbeleaf-able

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Oooo, Week 9, already?!! You have done a fab job at nailing this programme...week 9 was my favourite week as it seems to cement everything that you’ve done over the previous weeks & there’s also the badge to look forward to! Sounds like this run was a belter...great when you find your pace...have a fab week 9...I’ll put my fizz in the fridge ready for your victory run!! 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Mummycav ! Yes week 9, I can't quite believe it myself. Week 9 your favourite week? You're so hardcore lol!

And I like your thinking... so basically you get to drink bubbly whenever someone graduates? Sounds like a plan!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes!!! It’s my rocket fuel!!! Lol.....hic

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Sounds like I'd better hurry up and graduate then!! In a slow and steady way of course

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Of course....🤣

[TJMazz Graduate]

Excellent. Your gonna smash week 9. Go for it 🙌🏻🏃👍😀

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

Thank you! I shall give it my best shot for sure

[womblejogger Graduate]

can't remember who said it on here probably everyone but my running mantra is slow and steady even after graduating, each run is different some times it kills, last night i hit the perfect zone, wasn't fast by no means but it was so comfortable i could have carried on and i think that is what we need to achieve, well done on getting this far the end is so near in sight

[Hidden in reply to womblejogger]

Thanks Womble It's funny, the run I have just done I felt like I was in that zone, it was great!!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Well done Neil, you're nearly there! Glad this run worked out well for you.

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Thank you just 3 more to go...

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Neil, it's just so great to see the joy coming through your post! Three more runs to go!

[Hidden in reply to ejvcruns]

Thank you so much! If it wasn't for people such as yourself, I'd have long since given up I think.