Week 9 underway!

Good morning fellow intrepid runners

Just a quick note to say week 9 is underway, run 1 is done. In truth the 30 minutes felt easier than 28 I think. I was sloooow, but I was trying to pace myself, I didn't want my first "practice" run to be a week 9 one! You know what I mean by practice run...

Also mid-run, my left knee started slightly, and feeling rather similar to how the right one had done, so in an effort to avoid a repeat of "knee-gate" on my graduation week, I was really quite snail like. I fact, I was sworn at by at lest 3 gastropods along the way for holding them up I think I've managed to get away with it, but I'll keep you all updated.

2 runs left... it's all getting rather exciting!! And boy does running for 30 minutes feel great. How did I get here???

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Keep going uve got this x

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Thanks as always Shelby1973 , you know, it almost feels like I have a bunch of cheerleaders around me ready to spur me on even when the going gets tough. I'm quite sure I don't deserve that, but I do really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

[Shelby1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

N e i l N e i l go Neil go Neil 👯

[misswobble Graduate]

I know! 😱 How on earth, What the! 😁

You better believe it baby! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha! 😃🏃👍✔️

Take care. Easy now. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Lol! Yup

I'll believe it after a couple more runs probably... and I do love it when people get excited for me. I'm usually quite a reserved sort of a chap... I sometimes need to see that there's stuff worth getting excited about. Knowing me, I'd do W9R3 and think "another one checked off, on to week 10" oh, wait...

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

You got there through determination, dedication and practice, Neil, and you made a beautiful job of it!

So glad you enjoyed running for 30 minutes! It really feels quite the accomplishment. Also, very proud of you for putting everything you have learned to practice i.e. the ole slow and steady routine.

As for the knee - meh! You did the right thing in slowing down even further. Also, consider 2 days rest - really helps with the longer runs anyway. Hope it eases up. I get the odd knee twinge when running but it hasn't turned into anything (yet!) so it doesn't always spell disaster.

Well done Neil. You are truly doing yourself proud! x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

The knee has actually settled down a lot since getting to work. I was really surprised actually, I was so concerned with not getting back on the IC, I totally forgot to feel tired actually. I could have gone on, I love it when that happens. I also did the sensible thing and rather than trying to plan a circular route which got me exactly back to work after 40 minutes, I just turned round and retraced my steps well the bell rang, and I didn't even have to do any loops of Aldi's car park for a change

Can't wait for week 10... oh, hang on... lol!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Week 10? Ha ha ha! You will NAIL week 10.

Well done on your sensible, and successful run. Always good to have a plan.

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Hey Neil, well done mate, just 2 more runs to go, WOW.

[Hidden in reply to Martin_Rose]

I know, I can hardly believe it. Me, the most unfit, unsporty person in the world... who would have thunk!!

[Richard7 Graduate]

Well done Neil. Keep off the IC - 25 down 2 to go.

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Thanks Richard7 , certainly planning to keep off the IC if I possibly can! That wouldn't be good.. Couch to 5k to Couch.

I have shared this link with Sadie, but I found it quite amusing:

theulsterfry.com/featured/5...

You lot have got a sense of humour, right?

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Love the "Build up your lack of stamina" - I too work in IT and spend most of my day sitting down - that's what makes the running great. I used to get up at the end of the day and my knees were shot - now I can walk!! Hooray for C25K.

[Christene Graduate in reply to Richard7]

I wonder how many of us are

a) in sedentary jobs, and

b) work in IT

though that’s a bit of an oxymoron. 30 years in IT for me ... 😂😂😂

[Sandyscroll in reply to Hidden]

Love the link! 😂😂😂

Running for 30 mins?? Who'd have thought it!?!😵😉 You're so close to graduation you can almost touch it.☺ Keep going! 👏👏👏👏

[Jan-52 Graduate]

Am with you Neil and think Richard is on his final week too. We got this !! 🤗👍

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Jan-52]

W9R3 tomorrow weather and body and mind permitting

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

All the best for your W9R3 Richard. I know we can do this!!

[Jan-52 Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Both will be fine, body and mind. Enjoy !

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Jan-52]

You don't say anything about the weather I notice

[Jan-52 Graduate in reply to Richard7]

No need once brain and body in gear, you won’t even think about the weather!! I will have a chat with the Universe for you !!!

[Christene Graduate]

Well done Neil, great start to your graduation runs, instead of the Gastropods swearing at you, why didn’t they just shout “on the right” ... just asking 🙄😂😂😂

Well done, keep it going ...

[Hidden in reply to Christene]

Lol! Thanks Christene

[misswobble Graduate]

😀. Terry Wogan was always on about the Ulster Fry

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

I confess the first I heard of it was when I absent mindedly searched for 5K to Couch My brain works in strange ways sometimes...!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Well done Neil... you are a proper runner now..just two more runs til we break out the streamers and party poppers 😊xx

Go Neil...go Neil...go Neil..🏃🏃🏃

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Ooh steady on now, I wouldn't go that far, and I wouldn't exactly call what i did today "running", to mis-quote from the original Toy Story film, maybe running (or limping!) with style?

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Noooo... you are a proud 30 minute runner. Run tall and proud be confident in your new found ability.😎

We are very proud of you 😊x

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Jan, still trying to get used to the fact that I run. I haven't had a kebab since I started, and I'm eating things like salad. Oh - and I've lost about 7lb since starting. I'm not technically overweight, but have been noticing a certain amount of middle aged spread creeping in lol

[ejvcruns Graduate]

You go Neil!! Run and enjoy!!

[Hidden in reply to ejvcruns]

Thanks ejvcruns , I know I can always rely on you for a little cheerleading x

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Well done and I’ve had many a cross word from snails as they’ve passed me!! Slow and steady and you will achieve wonderful things 😊😊

[Hidden in reply to Kimchoc08]

Thank you Kim! Well hopefully in a couple of runs time you'll be saying to me "congratulations, you snailed it!" (See what I did there??)

[Kimchoc08 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’ll be at the front of the line with the congratulations (snails and all) 😊😊 I’m very excited for you already!!

[Renmurew Graduate]

Go Neil! Not far now to the podium and then its just onward and upwards from there.

You're doing great. Nothing wrong with a snail's pace. Its fast enough to get them to where they need to get to. In fact running at a snail's pace to someone who spends their day sitting on a couch is like running at Mo Farah's pace to a runner like you. Its awesome!

Cant believe how far we have come in such a relatively short time.

Looking forward to reading your graduation post soon!

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Well done you! Sl9w really doesn't matter. Getting to the end is what counts and now you're in spitting distance. Woo hoo! 😀

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

I am - as are you too We can do this, right? We CAN do this!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant!!! Full of surprises this programme isn’t it??!! You’ve done brilliantly Neil...slowly get you there in the end 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Yes it is indeed, though I may be crawling to the podium at this rate, my left knee has been acting up a bit since my run, but you know what? I just don't care, 2 runs left!!!!!🎈

[Hidden]

Massive well done Neil!!! Sorry to hear you’re other knee is moaning at you a little. Sounds like you did the right thing by going nice and steady though. Week 9?!!! Eeeeek how exciting 😆 you’ve done amazingly well to get there, so much hard work and dedication. The badge is so close you can almost smell it!!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you the knee would probably have been better if the journey back from work hadn't taken nearly 2 hours... I hate traffic!

And sorry about the smell! My running kit is now in the wash 😂

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Well done fantastic achievement enjoy the last two 👍🏃🏃..........👨‍🎓 on its way.

[Hidden in reply to Wantorun2013]

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I still can't believe I made it past week 1 to be honest...!

[Sadeskin Graduate]

Well done you!! It’s great to read how you got on today and you did the right thing taking it slower (even if they did swear at you, haaa that made me smile). I hope you are still feeling the glorified glow after achieving your first 30 min run. Week 9 is a good feeling, isn’t it?

[Hidden in reply to Sadeskin]

Thank you still feeling the glow after a rather annoying day at work and a fairly horrendous drive back. Week 9 is fun though, feels quite consolidatory (is that a word???)

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well if it isn’t I totally understand what you mean!! I am feeling like I am going to miss Week 9. How crazy is that?

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

You don't have to miss week 9! Once graduated, it is a good idea to consolidate by running 30 mins 3x week - essentially week 9! 😀 That's my plan, and so far so good. 30 minutes sure does hit the sweet spot! 🏃‍♀️👏😀

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

I will keep it going Sadie 👍🏻 xx

[GaryB1966 Graduate]

Well done, keep up the good work, you’re nearly there

[Hidden in reply to GaryB1966]

Thanks Gary

[TJMazz Graduate]

Ooh this is exciting. You have done so well. Keeping everything crossed for week9. Can’t wait to see your graduation post 👍

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

Thank you TJMazz, believe me, no-one will be as surprised as I!! How are you getting on anyway?

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Woohoo well done you. Nearly at the finish line. Take care of those knees and we'll see you on the podium soon 👏

[Hidden in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Yay! Thank you I can't wait!!