W9R1 - really? Really!

[JoP61]

Took it slow and steady this morning as my last Week 8 run was hard and not enjoyable! Managed to run for 30 minutes. Sorry, I just have to stop and read that back again. Managed. To. Run. For. 30. Minutes.

When I began this in January I found running for 1 minute was hard. So the progress has astonished me and made me feel a little bit proud of myself. I know I'm slow - doing 3.5K in 30 minutes - but hopefully I can build that up over time.

Thank you to the many people who have cheered me along this far. Couldn't have done it without you. 👍😀🏃‍♀️

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

A little bit proud!? You should be hugely proud!! You've done so well! You've gone from zero to 30 mins actual running! 😁

Some of the long runs are not that fun to get through but they do their job. Don't worry about your speed... You're doing it and that's the most important part.

Well done 👏👏👏👍😁

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks JoJo! So many people seem to be whizzing along at great speeds - I sometimes feel like a bit of a snail. But as you say, my speed doesn't matter at the moment. Thank you for all your support, and happy running! 😀🏃‍♀️👍

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Haha it's nuts isn't it? Go you 🏃🏃🏃 Not long to go but don't worry about speed at this stage, just get through to graduation first.

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks your highness! Does seem a bit crazy at times - crazy but great! Am looking forward to graduating and building up strength and speed. Just hope I can keep going without Sarah Millican telling me what to do! 😀

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Oh don't worry about that. We'll tell you what to do 😏 😂😂

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Brilliant! I look forward to receiving your royal command! xx 😉

[Tbae]

Yes,as all have said that is all for later.Keep Enjoying.

Just a couple of weeks ahead of you, novice runner.Did my first parkrun yesterday ever,3.9 km/hr

on tarmac.🤔 I can walk quicker.🤔😂😂

I think everyone from now on is going to smile when they see me arrive each Saturday from now on, at least they will know they are not going to be last.🤔😂😂 I would make you laugh for a week about the slow jokes I could tell you .🙈😂😂😂

Great fun, still going to dream of doing a 10 minute mile x3.

Must also quietly confess I

am going to be chuffed the first week I am not last.🙈👍😂😂

All in good time and with a bit of laughter.🌟👏👏😂😂😂

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Thank you! I have great admiration for anyone who does parkruns - I think I would be intimidated by all those other runners! Well done you and I'm sure you will increase your speed and finishing position! Happy running 😀👍👏👏

[Tbae in reply to JoP61]

Think about it they make you so welcome, exactly like this forum.🌟👏👏

Not that it matters, but the record times for male and female are 13mins and 15 mins respectively for 5k🙈😂😂😂

I was looking at my PARKRUN results yesterday and I was not last.🙈😂😂. So that has kyboshed my plans.🙈😂😂

Proudest thing for me.My record shows first timer, and even better my club is NHS C25k.🌟🌟🌟👏👏💫

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Tbae]

I'm sure you're right about people being welcoming - I just lack the confidence at the moment. Those record times are pretty mind blowing!

Well done with your run - it's great that you can put down NHS C25K as your club - good to promote such a great programme! 😀👍👏👏

[Tbae in reply to JoP61]

Feed off their kindness and energy.🤔🌟👏👏🤔

[Tbae in reply to Tbae]

When you are ready, and if a first timer, after the briefing, just start at the rear ,go slow and steady find your comfort and be encouraged along by your fellow runners lapping you.Amazing but not maybe until you finish.And there again why not if you have one on your doorstep.🤔🌟👏👏

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Sounds like good advice - there is a parkrun near me that a couple of my friends run at regularly. Think I'll wait until I graduate and get a few more 30+ minute runs under my belt. Happy running! 😀👍

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good work! This was such a high point for me too. You should be super proud. 💪😀 And trust me, the more 30 min runs you do, the more manageable it becomes. The fun truly begins in week 9 and beyond. Slow matters not a jot; slow is good. Speed can be gradually worked on post graduation, should you so desire. Happy running, Jo, you are doing great! 👏👏👏

Sadie-runs x

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you - I really appreciate the encouragement! I was beginning to think I was failing because I'm slow, but I plan to work on that (the speed and the negative attitude!). Happy running! 😀👍👍👍

[ClarriePan Graduate]

Well done. I’m still a couple of weeks off but my plan is to continue using the app for a bit after I’ve graduated. My thought is that it will give me a measure of how I’m doing and if in time I feel ok to run longer. Then I can say goodbye and thank you to Jo.

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to ClarriePan]

Thank you! That's a good idea to keep using the app. I might swap Sarah for Jo or Michael, for a change of coach. Happy running! 😀

[ClarriePan Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Ah I hadn’t thought of that. I think I’ll do that too 😉

[Mcdon Graduate]

It’s an amazing programme I felt same way

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Mcdon]

Certainly is - hard to believe I've come this far, but there are so many stories on here to show that it works! 😀

[DeterminedBear Graduate]

Brilliant!

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to DeterminedBear]

Thank you - nearly there! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Melo_smiles Graduate]

Well done JoP61 and you should feel incredibly proud 🙌🏃🏼‍♀️ Wk9 R1 30mins of running A.M.A.Z.I.N.G 👏 x

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Melo_smiles]

Thank you so much! It does feel good. Hope your running is going well. x 😀👍

[Melo_smiles Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Still on the IC 😩 desperate to run but I need my calf strain to fully heal otherwise I’ll put myself further back. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to get back out in the next few days 🤞

That podium is waiting for you 😁 x

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Melo_smiles]

Yes of course - you must rest up until the strain is healed. Hope you manage to get out this week - I'll be looking out for your post. xx 🤞🤞👍

[Melo_smiles Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Thank you 😁 x

[Hidden]

Blooming brilliant - you are on that first step of the podium. What a great effort and achievement.

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jancanrun! It's lovely to have so much support and encouragement. I remember that I found this forum after I'd done the first couple of weeks of C25K, and it's made a massive difference to my motivation. Plus I've received loads of great advice. It's good for the soul! Happy running. x 😀

[Run-Granny-Run Graduate]

You ran for 30 minutes that was great. 🎉🎉

You have nearly finished ...or is this the beginning??

I am starting W8 so I appreciate where we have come from too.

I hope to finish then do a park run . Everyone says they are very friendly and supportive . We can do this! 😊

Jo is good she has been there from day one for me.

All the best for your graduation .

RGR

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to Run-Granny-Run]

Thank you RGR! I think it must be the beginning rather than the end - otherwise I will have wasted all this effort. After all, I've only been doing this for a couple of months - just baby steps in the running world. I am a bit nervous about the idea of a parkrun, but I'll see how I get on building up to 5K. Lots of luck with Weeks 8 and 9, and I'll see you on the podium! x 😀