Well folks, this is the one I've been waiting for If you'd asked me 9 weeks ago if I'd ever get to this point, I'd have said "no". I fully expected, if I did get this far, that I'd be saying "Thank goodness that's over, I'm never running again". But not only has my fitness level improved dramatically, my outlook on life has improved, and I intend to continue running, believe it or not. I actually quite like the outdoors now.
So today's run. I was a little apprehensive this morning, as it was pouring down, but I put my faith in the Met Office app, and, ever the optimist, donned shorts, t-shirt, and trainers. Sure enough the weather cleared up, and off I headed on my lovely new route. Warmup walk done, my left knee, which is the one that's been bothering me a little over the past week, felt fine, my right knee also seems fully recovered now.
Now, one thing I loved about the new route I took last time, was that the towpath was much better maintained, with a much more even surface, less potholes. What I didn't realise, was that after heavy rain, it would basically become one giant puddle. This was my graduation run though, so I wasn't going to let a huge puddle put me off. If I couldn't go round them, I went through them, cautiously so as not to slip and do any more damage to my knees lol But I did it. I got to the half way point, the bell went ding, and I thought "You know what? I can do this!". And I did. I wasn't fast, and it certainly was short of 5k, I reckon about 4.5k, but I don't care. Because...
With the help and encouragement of all you lovely lot, I DID IT!
Thank you so much everyone for your support along the way, especially by virtual running buddie Sadie-runs. You're all wonderful
So now, after arriving back, taking off my waterlogged trainers, having a cuppa and washing the mud off my legs in the shower, time to relax, just for a while.
Last thing, I promise. I remember being on week 1 and finding other people's graduation posts rather daunting. Don't worry guys, the plan is good, and it works! What's the best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you can't imagine doing the whole thing, just focus on the week you are on. You'll do fine
Well done you, feeling quite emotional for you. I feel I have achieved something every time I run and am really looking forward to graduating. Even contemplating a park run after I graduate. Hope you'll keep running and posting news on progress.
Thank you! Yes, I intend to keep running, not setting too many goals yet, but my first one is to get my left knee better, after today's run it's been a little sore! No way I was stopping on my graduation run though lol! After that it's to get back up to speed, and do 5k in 30 minutes, whilst still retaining the ability to breathe And after that, I've got my eye on the Lyme Park Parkrun near me. It's a toughie, but looks fun.
Oh - and thanks for feeling emotional for me Even I'm feeling emotional about it, and that doesn't happen very often these days...
Hooray Neil! Have been waiting up on this podium this morning watching for you! So pleased you've done it! My run was hard work too! Think my awe at actually being that close made me nervous! Had to give myself a good talking to at 15 minutes!
Huge congratulations - wear that badge with pride!
Looking forward to hearing about your runs for just the love of it! 😊
Thank you so much, I did notice you graduated too, only just having the time to respond to everything. Well done to you It feels rather strange to see "Graduate" next to my name, do you find that too? And I'll certainly keep posting about my runs. Thanks for all your encouragement over the weeks I've been doing this, really appreciated.
Thank you! It feels amazing, especially the more I think about how I could ever manage to run for 30 minutes. And I couldn't have managed that at all without the support, wisdom, encouragement and gentle chastising (yes Sadie-runs I'm looking at you) from people here.
Well done Neil .. thought about you on your run this morning whilst I did my run along my canal towpath. Congratulations well deserved and glad the knees are holding up
Awww thanks Richard7 ! Not quite sure how I managed to get this far, and to be honest, my left knee is now complaining at me, but I don't care, because the view from the podium is great!! Thanks so much for your encouragement along the way
I have had an ongoing problem with my knee for quite a number of years but seems to cope. After about 20 mins either I have lost all feeling in my legs or the knees feels great .. I think the latter! Funny old things knees - take care of them. See you on your next run
Well done you have done it! What a great feeling it is to now be a graduate you have done really well I took much longer to get there. You are a runner! Doesn’t that sound great? Enjoy your graduation xx
Thanks Yes it does sound great. And it certainly sounds weird that I'm a runner... me... weird in a good way though.
Currently enjoying my graduation evening with a nice cup of tea
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🎉🎊🏃🥇🎈 You have done amazingly well Neil, I don’t even know you but I’m super proud of you. So many people out there dwell on their problems but you’ve done everything within your power to improve your situation and you deserve to reap the benefits of these types of achievements. And not even an injury or massive puddles stopped you 😂 Hats off to you. It’s been fun reading your posts, I’m going to miss them! Keep us posted on how you get on with the podcasts x
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Thanks so much Hidden , that was a really positive thing for me to read. And thank you SO MUCH for all your encouraging words along the way. It's been a real encouragement to read your posts, I think you're doing really well.
I'll still be posting here don't worry, I'm going to have a few days off to get my left knee better I think, maybe some walking and some stretches and exercises, but I shall be back! And how could I abandon you before your graduation?
Thanks again, it's been so much fun. And the fun is just beginning!
p.s. When do you start W7?
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Has it sunk in yet that you’ve graduated?! Sounds like a good plan to let your other knee rest. Hopefully it won’t be too long if your first knee has now healed.
It’s been my pleasure and I am equally thankful for your encouragement 😊
I started it today but it was the same run as W6 R3 so didn’t have much to report. Thanks for asking though 😁
Just out of interest, I saw a post on here today about what a difference running shoes make. I have a cheapy pair of Adidas running shoes and they seem fine. What do you have and did you have them from the start? Also, I hope they survived the puddles 😂
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Honestly... no, it's not sunk in yet! I feel slightly deflated about it actually, because I felt I didn't do it justice, because of my silly knee. I know what you mean about W7R1... I listened to Jo, and when she said things like "go on, you can do this", I thought, yeah, because I did it last run of Week 6! Seriously though, if you can do W7R1 you can do W9R3!
Now I'm not really qualified to answer the question on running shoes. Many people would advocate gate analysis and then chosing a suitable pair of running shoes, and of course they'd be right. However, I suspect if your running shoes were a problem, your feet and legs would be telling you about it now, and maybe your hip and knee joints! However, buying new running shoes is a bit of a rite of passage I gather, and if you can manage to find somewhere that will do gait analysis, all the better.
I'm sure there are people far more cleverer and knowledgeabler than me though
What a lovely post Neil. CONGRATULATIONS on graduating!!!! You did it. You’re a runner and you’re amazing.
You’re so right, if I had imagined getting here I too would have thought my attitude would be ‘thank goodness that’s over’ but that’s not how I feel at all either. I have never been much for the outdoors to be honest but I enjoy that aspect too now.
A very well done to you especially with the mud you had to contend with. Nothing got in your way!
Thank you Sadeskin , you're always a real encouragement, you know that? (And I see you've changed your profile picture again - I really must do that. Mine looks like I'm trying to do a poo!)
Yeah - the mud was not fun, even though I mostly just ran straight through the puddles, I didn't want to slip and injure myself. It wasn't fast or particularly pretty today, or even 5k, but I got there! x
Oh I have just managed to get a profile pic centre in the image! I did it on my laptop, whenever I try (using the app) you only see half of my head. There must have been a glitch as I now have a cover photo too. Only took graduating for these things to work!!
Hhaaaa you made me smile but your pic is great!
We went to the Junior Parkrun this morning, my boy runs it. It was very muddy and he was slightly reluctant to run through it. Good job you didn’t slip over and yes ... totally not about speed esp in those conditions anyway. I hope you are still feeling high from your great achievement. Will you choose that route again?
Huge commiserations on your stinker of a run. My graduation run was similar, remembered for all the wrong reasons. Set them up carefully for a brilliant graduation.
Huge congratulations on your graduation and coping with your new addiction.
Consolidate and run for fun for a few weeks, while you work out where you want your running to take you and to further ingrain the habit.
Aww thanks IannodaTruffe , yeah, wasn't the perfect run or anything, but a graduation is a graduation, right? I feel really comfortable with running now, it's most odd! I have confidence that actually doing 5k is well within my capability, just thinking of my poor knees! A little rest period should solve that problem. I nearly didn't go out this morning as my left one was hurting a little, but no way I was going to miss my graduation run. (I know, I know!!)
I will keep posting updates on here anyway, since I gave up Facebook 18 months ago, this seems to have replaced it
Thanks also for all your support and advice over the weeks.
Thanks Debbie698 , yes it certainly is! Thanks for all your encouragement too, I think it's great that we all get stuck in and encourage each other, I couldn't have coped without it to be honest. I don't think I would have graduated, I think the "Black Dog" would have won.
But - I did finally make it, and I'm chuffed to bits. Celebrating with a cuppa
Yay! Buddy! You did it, just like I knew you would. Well done on your resilience, your pluck and your courage to run through puddles. Congratulations, you lovely graduate. 👏🥇🥂😘
It has been a real pleasure sharing this running journey lark with you. You have been my biggest supporter and your encouragement has meant so much to me, and to many others on here. You are a great runner and a kind person. It has been a joy watching you progress and go from strength to strength.
Here's wishing you a happy, healthy running future, dear friend.
Sadie-runs xxx
PS I had a shocker of a run today too, very hard! But we did it. 😀👏
Thanks Sadie-runs , you've been with me, cheerleading, for most if not all of my journey, and that encouragement and sometimes semi-gentle chastising and pep-talking has been wonderful, and just what I needed.
I'm still coming to terms with seeing myself as a runner at all, not sure I qualify as a great runner, but at least I'm enjoying it. What I'm really looking foward to is being able to go a bit faster. I know my muscles are capable, but I still need to work on knee strength I think. Or I could just get my knees removed, they just seem to cause trouble
Yup, consolidation is the key I think.
Oh - and sorry your run was a difficult one I think we all understand now that there are good runs and bad runs. Just think of it this way, that's one less bad run on the pile for later on!
Do keep in touch though. Oh - and I see I've been upgraded to 3 kisses now, that must be because I graduated
I'm hearing lots of fireworks tonight, Neil, and am pretty sure they are all for you. 😀
And hey, who cares if we are not great runners or not?! We get out there and we run, and that's pretty great. As for getting to 5k - sheesh! Don't get me started! I ran this morning and when I finished and looked at MapMyRun I had done 4:98. I just laughed! Nearly there, you will be too. Just look after those knees.
Three kisses cos you are a fabulous person and a worthy graduate. 😊 So glad Neil-runs-too.
Not had oysters for years actually, but I guess now is as good a time as any to start again!!
I'm certainly planning to keep up with this forum, and I will be posting, maybe not every run, but frequently, simply because I know how much encouragement I get, and also it's great to have come out of the other side and be able to encourage others too.
Brilliant achievement and even better to do it one a bit so good Run. Just think how many great runs are just round the corner. Lovely to hear how running has changed your attitude to things. I know exactly what you mean. I’ve found myself driving along looking at roads I’ve never noticed before thinking “oo that looks like a great place to run” lol. Onwards and upwards fellow alumni of C25K.
Thank you Decker ! This was the first run I actually gave up on dodging small puddles, and just ran through 'em. My trainers and socks were soaked by the end, but I honestly didn't care. Just looking forward to consolidating and actually hitting 5K in 30 minutes now
Awww thanks Oldfloss , and I absolutely positively could not have done this without your support and wisdom, thanks so much!
And don't worry about the elephants, no *actual* elephants were harmed
Oh and my party? Just a cuppa and a sit down, though I will have a whisky before bed in a few minutes. Just a small one, have to be up for work in the morning :/
You're not wrong!! I'm now at the stage of replying to the replies to my replies of the original replies to my post. Phew, my brain hurts even thinking about it!
Thank you Jenny! I just need to consolidate now, and make sure I can work on speed a bit after that. Desperate to hit that 5k, slightly gutted that I haven't already, but that's dodgy knees for you
I’ve just graduated this morning. It’s a fantastic feeling! I’m not at 5k either more like 4 but like you working towards it. We’ve managed this far so I’m sure we’ll get to 5k! Good luck.
Well done, it’s funny how some runs are so much harder than others. I’ve just done run 3 of week 8 and am not sure how I got through it, it was horrid!
Thanks Yes they are, aren't they? But trust me on this. You got through it, and you are perfectly capable of completing week 9. Just remember to pace yourself, and you'll totally nail it!
Well, if I run to schedule it would be Wednesday, but, I fancy finishing with a flourish @316neil so will delay my final run to coincide with Saturdays Park Run, and get my 5k at the same time ... 😀. Couple of extra rest days won’t hurt either ... 😉
Am almost there, if I’d done one more lap of the boating lake the other night I would have done it already, but sort of want my cake, and eat it with Ice Cream, and a few strawberries on the side ... 😂😂😂. It’s not going to be a record breaker though, if the 30 minutes is up before the finish, and it will be, there will be walking involved .... 🙄
Yes I am over the moon, whilst feeling a little peeved at not having achieved 5k yet. I know I know, it's about time not distance, but I am a little OCD about these things!!
Woohoo! 🎉🏃🙌🏻😊👍 Absolutely amazing. I’m so pleased for you Neil. You must feel fabulous. It’s been good to read your posts and see you progress. Keep on running and enjoying the outdoors. 👨🎓
Thank you poppypug ! It's really heartwarming when an existing graduate responds with encouragement like that you know. I guess we've all been on the journey, right?
I've been waiting for this post and I've only just had time to sit and read today's posts. What a fabulous achievement and I would whoop and dance round the room right now I'm delighted for you.
Welcome to the podium you are a true inspiration way to go you. You are a runner and graduate 🥇🏆🏃
Thank you so much for the lovely comments Carolyn, and of course your support along the way.
It's funny you know, talking of responding to posts, that's all I've been doing for the last hour All of them deserve a response though, because each person has put time and effort in to congratulations, encouragement etc.
* Disclaimer - I may not get through them all before I need to go to bed!!
Well done you! I graduated last week and my run was very tricky....so I know exactly how you're feeling.....but you did it, waterlogged or not! Great stuff!
Good luck with your next steps :).... Relax and let it flow and enjoy the consolidation period. I've just signed up for Bridge to 10k (eek!), but I've had a looonnnnggg 3 months of consolidation since graduating! I found it's helped just to get into the habit of 3 x 30 mins a week, so t's like second nature (still hard mind!). Only now do I feel I can move on. But everyone is different and you'll know what's right for you. But I think enjoying it has to be at the top of the list
Yes - I intend to keep posting here, you lot are a little bit like family now
Sorry to hear you’re feeling like that. Do you think a bit of the deflation might be because it’s over too? I’m a little worried I’ll be gutted when it’s over. But we have a plan, right?! Podcasts woop woop!
That’s a good point, thank you. Think I’ll stick with what I’ve got, I was just taken by comments about feeling like you’re running on air 😂
I feel a bit confused about the fact that there’s only 3 more weeks left but I’m only 5 minutes away from the total end running time. How did you find the final weeks?
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Thanks Minnow, it's OK you know, I'm still very pleased, just a bit annoyed I didn't make 5K. And also, I'm feeling a bit like "now what?", but it's OK, because I have consolidation to occupy me now, and getting to the magic 5K!
I noticed a massive difference underfoot with my new trainers, but that's probably because I started out with my years-old ones, the difference was incredible.
I think the last 3 weeks are more about consolidating what you've already done. The jump from 25 to 30 minutes is really not much physically, but your fitness will still increase, which means after 3 x 30 minute runs, you hopefully won't be dead!!
Stick with it, I know you will, I shall be cheering you on all the way. It's been quite a journey, hasn't it? I bet you're beating your dad up those hills now!
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I didn’t realise until I read this that the program should be called couch to 30 minutes! There is no way I’m going to be covering 5k in 30 minutes so I’ll join you in that boat 🚣 what is consolidation?!
Now I’m officially a runner I should probably invest in some new shoes. Glad you saw an improvement when you got yours.
3 x 30 minutes?! 😳😳😳 you deserve that graduation badge!
Fabulous post, and well done! I knew you'd ace it though.
I am in awe of puddle and mud runners, out on unfriendly terrain in inclement conditions. Not easy at all, and finding the motivation to get out there and dive in when it's cold and wet is no mean feat.
Glad your knees are ok too - hoping you'll be off the IC for good now. Revel in your achievement today, and please, keep running and keep posting! I have really enjoyed reading your posts.
Sorry I was en route home from Italy, so missed your graduation post. Brilliantly done Neil it’s just fantastic that you got there, a really fab achievement for a really fab runner
Great work fella, congratulations and welcome to the club! Thanks for the advice on elephant eating, those things are a bit tough, I was finding the trunk a bit chewy......!
Is the party still going, because I'd like to join!?! Congratulations Neil!!🎉 you've had a hard fought battle, but never let it beat you. Your journey has been fabulous to be a part of. Thank you for sharing so much of it with us. Enjoy basking in the light of graduation, get rested and sort that knee out, because here starts your new life as a runner, and I'm hoping you're going to keep sharing your exploits with us. ☺️ 🏃👏👏👏
Well done on Graduating the c25k program..Your journey has been tough with your knee issues, but you have always been cheerful and encouraging to your fellow runners and your posts are a delight to read.
So a puddly run...but you made it to the podium and received a great ovation. So ✋and👏👏👏👏👏from me too😄and I know you will carry on running and get that 5k nailed too.
Thanks Jan, that's lovely! I do try to be encouraging, and not write anything I wouldn't be happy to read myself. And everyone else has been so wonderfully encouraging to me.
The knee is still annoying me, so I'm having a rest until the weekend, at which point I'll do some consolidation!!
Thanks so much for all the encouragement along the way too!
Awesome! It's great to see your graduate label. Feel immensely pleased for you....and just hope I can get there too.
So just a little nag.... have you been for a run or are you resting on your laurels????
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I only say this as a complete and utter hypocrite as i ditched my run today to go Christmas shopping instead! although I did end up looking at running gear....
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Thank you sweet Jan Nope, not run since my graduation my knee is not happy still and not improving much, and this week at work has just been a nightmare too. Really really hoping I can get out this weekend! I'll do a proper post later... thanks so much for your concern though, it means a lot x
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Oh you poor thing the knee issue is difficult, and you don't want to injure yourself more. Finger's crossed it gets better soon. J
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If you'd asked me 9 weeks ago if I'd ever get to this point, I'd have said "no". I fully expected, if I did get this far, that I'd be saying "Thank goodness that's over, I'm never running again". But not only has my fitness level improved dramatically, my outlook on life has improved, and I intend to continue running, believe it or not. I actually quite like the outdoors now.
I think we all understand now that there are good runs and bad runs. Just think of it this way, that's one less bad run on the pile for later on!
W9R3 done! I'm a graduate 
W9R3 - I GRADUATED WHAAAAAT
W9R3 - I Did It, I Graduated!!
W9R3 Done - Only gone and graduated !!! 
W9R3 - I am a graduate!!!
