Thank you

[Richard7]

I just did my W9R3 run and if I think back to the last week in August I would never have thought I would do it. My run today was uneventful and I don't want to do my usual blurb but rather just to say thank you.

Thank you to all 39,496 members of the forum. It does not matter whether you are posting or reading the fact that you pop in from time to time is I am guessing what keeps the forum active for people like me who have needed it along the way.

Thank you to the admins and mentors on here that help to keep things going and keep us on the straight and narrow.

Thank you to LouIselsqy Lizzilou leighbev Hidden Nozza03 and Wizziewood - you posted on my first W1R1 post. I think it is so important when you come to a forum like this that when you post something you get encouraging feedback and not silence. Thank you for bothering - you don't know me but that initial contact with the forum was needed and most welcome.

Thank you to RunForestR Indigogirl Hidden and Jancanrun - in W1R3 I was about to turn around and redo the week. You all encouraged me to move forward and I have taken that into each of the weeks that I have done. Thank you for giving me the push that I needed to keep going.

I could go through every week but I had better not - I have read loads of the posts on here and some I have commented on some I have just taken on board what has been said.

In the summer I found myself with a bit more time in the morning - no longer doing the school run following the end of my daughter's exams I started to walk. Initially for 30 mins and then I increased it to about 50 mins to take in a loop. I originally thought that walking was the best I could achieve. Then I got some feet problems (in growing toenail) that by chance took me to see a podiatrist who told me about C25K. I thought Couch - that's me - why not give it a chance - and now here I am. Still terribly overweight but getting healthier and thinner with each week.

This morning before going out for my run I read indigogogo post who has not written on the forum for the year - but thanks for the matra "You don't have to go fast, just go forwards".

I have said it already but thank you to all of you and please keep running and believe in yourselves. This is not the end

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Absolutely brilliant...well done & such a lovely post...reading posts on here helps massively...& also posting on here, I wouldn’t have done it without my running family on here...now onto that podium for your badge!!! 😊

[fitbyjuly]

I am returning the thanks, I am here because of you (you encouraged me to try this programme yesterday) so good to read about your success it's inspiring - So I Thank you !

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to fitbyjuly]

You are very welcome ... enjoy the journey - during the tough runs just slow it up and keep moving forward

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate]

What a great post, really well done

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Enjoyed Joshua Tree on the run too - thanks for the tip

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Congratulations graduate, great achievement 🏃🏻🎓🏅

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good work, Richard! Congratulations on your graduation. You have done so well, and come so far, so be very proud. Wishing you a happy, healthy running future! 👏🥂🥇🏃‍♀️

[Irish-John Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!!!!

[quirkybee Graduate]

Woo hoo Richard, a big well done to you. We have lots to thank on this forum. I'm so grateful for the encouraging words, kind posts and for the lovely folk putting up with my red mug on my pictures, haha.

[RunForestR Graduate]

Congratulations - all your own work, although as you say the support of this group helps pull you through the uncertainty. Glad it helped.

[Hidden]

Congratulations and well done. This forum is so great for keeping up momentum and finding advice and encouragement. Despite graduating in July I don't seem to be able to give it up so it's good to know my continued presence is helpful to someone else.

Enjoy the rest of your running life.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Congratualtions Richard7 It is indeed an inspirational forum and all the more so for you and getting to read your posts about your journey to graduation.

Well done - you ran for fitness, now you get to run for fun!

Don't forget to grab your badge: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Renmurew Graduate]

Congratulations Richard7 on your graduation run. Great to see so many people taking that final step onto the podium and beyond! Ive loved reading your's and others' posts on their journey and have found that inspirational on keeping me on track on mine.

Looking forward to keeping hearing how you are doing and how the runs are going.

Dont forget to take a moment to pat yourself on the back for all the hard woek to get to this point.

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Huge congratulations to you Richard. A lovely run to finish off the program and a wonderful post to inspire others 😊😊

Go grab that graduate badge 🏅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

A terrific well done you.. an amazing journey and such a great post...

You got there and in style and the best bit? The journey goes on! And..even better.. we will be right here with you!!!

But for now..bask in the well earned glory.. and in response to your Graduation post request.....

You did it, you did it..

We knew that you would do it

We knew you would not rue it

Never doubted that you'd do it...And now we are so very pleased

that succeed you did

....

You're going to get a medal and become a Graduate!!

One of my favourite films...

Happy running and celebrate in style!

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I wondered whether people would recognise it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Straight away... but we have to keep our replies short on the Graduation badge site

You have done so well!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Of course..now, it is in my head and I am singing it!

[Jododds in reply to Oldfloss]

Which film?!

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Jododds]

My Fair Lady - Professor Higgins is celebrating having trained Eliza Dolittle to speak like a lady. The words somehow seemed appropriate. I could have made reference instead to Eliza at the races when she got excited using the words "Come on Dover move your blooming a***" which could be another mantra worth remembering.

[Jododds in reply to Richard7]

Of course! Thank you Richard. I love that film. I should have known. I think the other mantra is a good suggestion too. 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Well done and huge Congratulations Richard on Graduating the c25k plan😊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Its a great acheivement, being able to run for 30 minutes and we know how hard you have worked to get here. 💪👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Happy running 😊x

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks - I think the hard work is about to begin - so long as I keep the mantras at hand I should be OK

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Good going Richard x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done and many congratulations.

This forum is the secret weapon for success for any new runner and long may it remain so.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[TJMazz Graduate]

Woohoo! Must feel amazing. Congratulations. 🎈🎉🙌🏻

[Sandyscroll]

YAY!!!! Well done!!! We knew you could do it! Enjoy that graduation feeling, you've worked hard for it. 😀🏅👏

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Well done....39,495 extra supporters for all of us...we are the best!!!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

A fabulous achievement and a great big cheer heading your way. Enjoy your place on the podium and I hope you've been celebrating in style 🏆🏃🥇

[indigogogo Graduate]

Cheers, mate and congrats on your graduation run (and shiny badge!)

[Decker]

Congratulations Richard! 👍🏼👍🏼🏆

[Hidden]

Excellent! Well done, bet you feel fantastic 😀😀😀

[Sadeskin Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating!!! It feels so good, doesn’t it? You have done so well, the support here is amazing but remember that YOU are part of that support too! Thank you.

Well done 👍🏻

[Fiona_B Graduate]

Well done Richard

[Megzy24 Graduate]

Well done!!!! Amazing effort!!!