13 Weeks, a lot of huffing & puffing and some swearing 🤬

[swisstony4]

I have reach the first destination in my journey of running, today I completed Week 9 and graduated from the C25K program.

At the beginning of October I started on week 1 Run 1, I enjoyed it but thought I would die and it seemed inconceivable that I could do that for 30 mins straight... but I did it and am feeling chuffed.

I started this journey to challenge myself, improve my fitness and help to push on my weight loss, I really didn’t like the thought of running and knew it was going to be hard going but I never dreamed that after the first week of huffing and puffing I would be hooked.

Running was a vehicle to fitness but it has become so much more, it de-stresses me after a stressful day, it has shown me the delights of my local environment that I’ve never taken an interest in before and got me out and about in winter, when I would normally be hibernating and eating!!

Run days are fun days as far as I am concerned, on run days I can feel my mood lift as I drive home and the anticipation as I pull on my gear, set up my phone apps and head to the door, my three times a week date with the lovely Jo maybe over but she will always be in my heart every time I pull on my runners. The start of a run and concentrating on setting my breathing and tempo clears my mind, the stressful world melts away and the running world takes over, just me and my chosen path, one day tour of the park, another day a run down the seafront or heading into the forest, every run is unique and is mine, all mine!!

Next destination to be decided but one thing is for sure this is a journey and I intend it to be a long and happy one, sometime it will be difficult and challenging but with determination and resolve I will always win.

For those just starting out on your journeys, relish every step, look around you and soak in your environment and most of all enjoy the experience.

👍❤️🏃‍♂️

[Sarahk84]

Congratulations! I've just completed my week 3. Still not certain I'll make the 9 weeks but your post made it feel a little more achievable. X

[Hidden in reply to Sarahk84]

Oi, enough of that! Of course you will make it. Honest. It seems impossible from the viewpoint of week 3, but it all magically unfolds as you progress through the program x

[Badrunner in reply to Hidden]

From the back of week 2 I’m holding on to your positivity

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Sarahk84]

Sarah if you feel like that don't look ahead - just concentrate on the current week.

When I began the program I truly believed that I would be doing W1 all winter ( or W2 at the very best.) At the end of each week I thought "Goodness, that's amazing" & moved on to the next week. I felt continuously surprised for the entire nine weeks!😄

You can do it too!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Sarahk84]

Of course you'll do it, one run at a time and slow and steady will get you there

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Sarahk84]

Thanks Sarah, trust me it is achievable just take it one run at a time, always think positive and you will get to and smash week 9

[smithp24]

Very well done sir.

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to smithp24]

Thank you smithp

[poppypug Graduate]

Graduating is like making love to a beautiful woman

Well done Tony , you never gave up , good on ya !

Congratulations and Happy Running xxx

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks poppy, good luck with the marathon, hope the training is going well

[poppypug Graduate in reply to swisstony4]

Thank you Tony . It’s a long hard slog at the moment , but it will be so worth it ( she says ) Ha ha xxx

[RosaBudd]

Wow! You are an inspiration! Well done👏🏽🤗

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to RosaBudd]

Thanks rosabudd, if I can do it, everyone can.

[Hidden]

What an excellent post, and well done. I have one more run till I hopefully join you. It’s an amazing journey 😊

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hey flick, so exciting one more run.. wish I could join you for it but I will be there in spirit running along side you... can’t wait for you next post😀

[Hidden]

Lovely post, you put it so eloquently!

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks emsy.. took me a while to write lol longer than the run I think 😂

[Hidden in reply to swisstony4]

Haha!!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Huge well done- what an achievement and what a life discovery! 😄

Enjoy the next part of your running adventure!

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks Elfe, I intend to cherish every minute

[Lordi Graduate]

Well done! Only 2 runs to graduation here, but I'm coming down with something (great timing) so giving it a rest for a few extra days. So frustrating!

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Lordi]

Thanks Lordi, bad timing on the health front and so close to graduation, try not to push to hard though, I had to take a month off towards the end, hence it took me 13 weeks but you can do it just means waiting a bit longer

[rolysmate Graduate]

Congratulations and very very well done, it really is a journey we're on and you never know but our paths one day may cross, happy running

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

Thanks Rolysmate, you never know, shame there’s not a c25k meet and greet event for everyone... would be good to actually see fellow runners and graduates

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate]

What a lovely post. Congratulations graduate! 🍾🏃🏅

Liz x

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Lillybeth30mins]

Thanks lillybeth, 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations swisstony 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Whoop whoop..Well done on your Graduation day !👏👏👏👏

Great post and Run day is fun day is a great mantra! 😊...

Don't forget to step up for your badge

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Happy running 😊x

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, graduation badge, did not know about those, I will take a look 👀

[antonioa Graduate]

Had my first run yesterday, so your post was good timing. One day at a time and I know I'll do it too. Fingers crossed. Well done!!

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to antonioa]

Hey antonioa, well done on the first step and getting run 1 done, it is a massive physical and mental barrier to cross and you have done it... just take one run at a time, don’t fret over what the next weeks runs are and you will be graduating before you know it.

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Well done what a brilliant achievement and you look suitable proud 🍾🎉🏆

[swisstony4 Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thanks Carolyn, I’m happy as a pig in .... well let’s say very happy 😃

[MikeJones68 Graduate]

Well done and welcome to the club!

[swisstony4 Graduate]

Thanks Mike 😃

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

💕Run day is fun day 💕

I love it - it made me so happy just reading that! Congratulations!

[Kingfisherk26 Graduate]

Very well done Swiss.. those of us who have been there know exactly how you feel, and what an achievement you have made. It really is life changing.

Congratulations runner!!!

[Hidden]

Not the end of your journey but the beginning! Congratulations a great job well done 🏃‍♂️👍. Enjoy consolidating and then set yourself some goals for the next leg!

[Razouski]

Fantastic achievement, well done and congratulations. It’s worth spending a bit of time consolidating the 30 minute runs before pushing on to your next target and there’s no reason why you can’t take Jo with you. I used the week 9 podcast for several post graduation runs as I wasn’t ready to run without Laura.

Now I’m happy with my own playlists.

There are also the C25K+ podcasts you can use to develop speed and stamina.

Happy running 🏃‍♂️ .

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Great achievement graduate🏅🎓⭐️

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating, and what a fabulous post!

I agree with every single word, it is exactly how I feel about running. When I started it was basically because I had the idea I'd inevitably end up doing (or "having to" do) it eventually - not sure why I had this feeling but it just seemed to be something that I knew I'd have to start as the years advanced. So, not with any sort of bad feeling but without any great enthusiasm. I was hooked basically from the start though.

Now have fun deciding how to continue your running journey post-graduation and how to keep it fresh and challenging. I thought I'd feel lost without the programme but surprisingly it wasn't really the case and I'm enjoying it more than ever. (Although once you've consolidated for a while, it's definitely worth taking a look at Ju-ju's Bridge to 10k plan).

[Getfitok Graduate]

Brilliant! Well done you 😌