Finally graduated, so two reasons for posting

[ruralfrance]

Number one: I graduated on January 4 and want to say to anyone who is struggling or hesitating to start, IF I CAN DO THIS SO CAN YOU!!! I am 64 (nearly 65, if I'm honest) and had never run in my life. I was both unfit and overweight before I began and frankly didn't believe I could do this. I won't say it's been easy: it took me two or three outings a week from August, so a lot more than 9 weeks. The early stages weren't so difficult for me but the long runs were particularly challenging and I have good days and bad days. A good day is completing it, however slowly. A bad day is stopping after 8 or 10 or 15 minutes and walking the rest of the way, thinking about giving up altogether and taking up darts. Since there are no decent English pubs in this part of southwest France I persevered with the running and am thrilled to bits! I've lost weight and feel much fitter, physically and mentally.

Number two: this programme and this forum are fantastic. Thanks to Laura for all her encouragement and thanks to everyone who posts such interesting and positive messages on the forum. This is the first time I've visited a forum and I am genuinely moved by your stories and courage and honesty. Your advice and messages of encouragement are invaluable.

To complete my Oscar speech, thank you too to the NHS for the programme. And to two Guardian journalists - Nick Cohen and Phil Daoust - for writing inspiring articles about running just when I needed to read them.

Happy 2018, happy running to all!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Woohoo congratulations on your graduation. You should be super proud of your fantastic achievement 🎉🥇🏆

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thank you!

[Sarakc Graduate]

Congratulations!! 😀👍🎓

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Sarakc]

Thank you, Sarakc.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Yay! Huge well done! 👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉😀 Dance on that podium!

Lay your plans and enjoy the next part of your running adventure! 😀

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you, Elfe, I shall! My main objective is not getting alzheimer's!

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to ruralfrance]

I'll join you on that one!😃

[Catbee Graduate]

Congratulations! I’m only at the beginning of my “running career?!” your post is both inspiring and motivating to a beginner like me. Cheers! 👍🏻 😊

[ruralfrance Graduate]

Thank you, Catbee. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get just as much out of this as I am.

[Hidden]

Congratulations, well done 👍🏻🏅🏆💥🎉

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Flick.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Great post to celebrate the great event.

Many congratulations.

May your running take you on many exciting journeys.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, Iannoda.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Great post and a great achievement runner!

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks, Millsie. It's crazy the kick I get out of seeing 'Graduate' next to my name!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to ruralfrance]

You have worked hard for that badge, you are right to be proud of it! 😀🏅

[Pm3eak Graduate]

Congratulations: great achievement...and a great post.

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Pm3eak]

Thank you, Pm3eak.

[Hidden]

Brilliant job......now the sky is the limit 🏃🏾‍♀️

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Helen, but wooah! steady on! You haven't seen how slowly I run! Happy new year, happy running.

[Hidden in reply to ruralfrance]

I am the slowest of slow....but guess what ? I am SLOWLY getting less slow

I have sometimes despaired when I see others stats but I have learned not to compare and I advise you to pay no heed to what others are doing. Just enjoy yourself!

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Excellent advice, thank you.

[Anthie Graduate]

Well done and wish you a lot more enjoyable running! No English pubs in the SW of France, but so much good food and wine: you can definitely celebrate your graduation

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Anthie]

Thank you!