Graduation!

[Eiralas]

It was warmer today than a couple of days ago so I braved cycling shorts for W9 R3 this evening. As I was heading downstairs I met my partner coming up.

Him: what the hell have you done to your legs?!

Me: what? What's wrong with them?

Him: you look like you've got measles!

Me: oh, those are bruises

Him: what on Earth have you been doing?

Me: I've been using those spiky roller things on my legs, you know I bruise easily

Him: Christ! You're practically mottled! Everyone's going to think I've been beating you up!

Me: don't be silly

... Though looking at them more closely he may have a point!

Running along today in the glorious warm sunshine, in shorts and vest top felt a million miles away from when I started in January. Then I was dressed in scratty old clothes, hoping no one would see the embarrassing holes in my leggings, going out after work in the cold and dark, shivering during the warm up walks - sometimes it was a few degrees below freezing. Secretly I didn't think I could do it, and I certainly didn't think I'd enjoy it. Only I did start enjoying it, and looking forward to my next run. Then I discovered this forum and all the wonderful people on it, and the support, advice and encouragement has been amazing - so thank you all for making the journey even more special.

This run ended up feeling a bit 'business as usual' - and a bit more of a 'plod', but that's ok! I'm happy with my week 9. R1 felt special as it just felt amazing and it was the first time I'd run for 30 mins - I know now that runs like that exist and they can happen again. R2 felt powerful - and I realised later that I'd actually run for 5k too, which was the icing on the cake. Today I was trying to run slower on purpose as I was a little alarmed at the heart rate info my watch recorded during that last outing. I still struggled to keep my heart rate in sensible bounds (according to the watch) despite nearly tripping over my own feet I was going so slow, so have decided that either the watch is not measuring things correctly, or my actual max heart rate is naturally higher than it thinks it is. Either that or I'm about to keel over. Anyway, I digress. I guess the point is I'm already thinking ahead to week 10 - consolidating, more of the same, and maybe braving the hills so I can branch out into new routes. I'm sure that will be enough of a challenge for now.

Wherever you are in this programme, stick with it and enjoy the journey - trust Laura (or your celebrity of choice) and believe in yourself. *hugs*

[Irish-John Graduate]

Congratulations Graduate

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you

[Myrar Graduate]

Well done to you and congratulations ..You should be proud of yourself ..Happy running days ahead 👏👏

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Myrar]

Cheers - and I'm looking forward to them (never thought I'd say that)

[sallenson Graduate]

Brilliant!! It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Come and visit us underlings from time to time and point us in the right path tho

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thank you! Don't worry, I'm looking forward to cheering you all on and excited to welcome you onto the podium too. It won't be long now

[Tjar]

Congratulations!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Tjar]

Thank you!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Congratulations! 🍾🎉🎓🌟Well done you! Have you seen the pinned post on the right hand side entitled May 2018 Graduation badge where you can ask for your graduation badge? All the best for your next runs.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you! And thanks for the tip - I will go and do that shortly

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks IannodaTruffe! I have already had a sneaky look and will try out some of the C25K+ podcasts in a few weeks hopefully

[Empem Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Brilliant! I'm alternating some of the Stepping Stones podcasts between 30/35 minute runs.The first Speed one was a shock but the second attempt was successful...looking forward to third time tomorrow.Also started paying attention to warm ups & downs which I wasn't doing, apart from the walking.See you on the Bridge!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Empem]

Good to hear how you've been finding them. I'm going to do a few 'normal' runs first, and finally get to see that physiotherapist, before trying them, but looking forward to it.

[Keepcalm-keepsmiling Graduate]

Congratulations 🎊🎉👏

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Keepcalm-keepsmiling]

Cheers

[ShwetaAmeta]

Wonderful.. Congratulations to you !! Enjoy your journey ahead..

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to ShwetaAmeta]

Thank you Shweta

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Congratulations. Enjoy your consolidation runs.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Cheers - I'm looking forward to them

[Kazbar10 Graduate]

Huge congratulations on reaching Graduate status, that is a huge achievement from when you first started you be extremely proud of yourself 👍👍👍

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Kazbar10]

Thank you!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Woooh hooo Eiralas!! 🏆🏆 Huge congratulations! An amazing achievement and so lovely to hear about your journey! Including the stories from holes in the leggings to the buying of running gear (You are a runner)!

I hope everyone keeps sharing, as we newbies love to be reminded that it was once the same for those who have transformed from exactly where we are! Wk2R2 for me today.

Well done to you!! 😁❤️

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Cheers me dear! Thank you for your kind words. The running clothes certainly helped me feel 'official' Good luck for your W2 R2 later- take it steady, and I'm looking forward to reading about it later

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

Congratulations! Enjoy those hills and new challenges, but maybe go easy on that roller - sounds like an instrument of torture!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Haha thank you! I do bruise ridiculously easily.

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

Congratulations Eiralas! Starting off in January either shows supreme commitment and determination or absolute madness! (I’m sure it is the former)

Your graduate badge looks fabulous 🥇. What an amazing achievement!

Enjoy your running and keep us all posted on how it goes! 😋

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Thank you Simon! I remember thinking 'if I can do it now then I'll have no excuse later in the year'. That could have been a touch of madness I did end up with some lengthy gaps due to the weather, especially during the beast from the east (I wasn't that mad!), and redid some weeks.

[Kamia Graduate]

Congratulations!

I can’t wait to say I did it but I’ve a long way to go yet.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Kamia]

Thank you Keep following the programme, one run at a time, and you will get there. Enjoy your journey!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations. Another graduate climbs onto the podium. 👏☀️🏃‍♂️🏆🏅

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Cheers! It is a very welcoming podium, and I've had a lot of support getting here

[DeeRunning Graduate]

I'll bet you completely rocked those bike shorts! Congratulations, amazing achievement, hard fought and well earned. Enjoy whatever comes next for you x

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

Thank you Dee

[TailChaser Graduate]

What a fab posting Eiralas! Congratulations, and I can totally relate to you with the rollers - vicious evil things 😂🎉🎉🎉🏃‍♀️🎉

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you! Those rollers do the job though, just wish I didn't look like I'd been trampled over by an army of cats in hobnail boots afterwards

[Berksrover Graduate]

Well done, fellow Graduate! Like you the community played6a big part in me getting over the line, still some way to go to get 5km in 30 minutes, but ramping up the pace gradually, look forward to seeing your continued progress

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

Thank you! This is a great community. Good luck with the gradual speed-building - so long as you keep enjoying it, that is the main thing

[Razouski]

Lovely post and congratulations on graduating. Have lots of happy runs trying out new routes and enjoying running for running’s sake.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thank you. I might take the plunge and head all the way down to the river. It will mostly be flat once I get there, and if I can't cope with the massive hill on the way back then I can always walk briskly

[MelsieJay Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating! 👩🏻‍🎓And in shorts!! Very brave 🏃🏻‍♀️😄

I loved your post cos I also sneaked our in the dark in scruffy old clothes (why buy anything appropriate when I’m only aiming to be able to run for nearly 2 minutes?!!)

I’ve just treated myself to a bamboo top and I got some really nice New Balance shorts that are light but have a built in cycle short underneath too so as not to frighten the neighbourhood. Yesterday when I went out feeling so self conscious running the roads round here for the first time I realised “sod it - I’m a runner” and stopped worrying what they all thought! Never thought that day would happen.

Well done and enjoy the hills and fun times! X