W9D3 aka the day I finally finished something for once

[hjgibson]

It’s no exaggeration to say that I have attempted this program four times. Twice with different standard c25k apps, once with the Zombies! 5k app and now, fourth time’s a charm.

I’m so excited to finally be able to run! My whole life, I was the unfit friend who miraculously managed to stay slim despite a lazy demeanour and bad diet. Now, I’m the friend who can run 5k! (I may or may not have decided to run an extra 7 minutes, bringing me to a respectable 37min 5k time. At the start of the program, running 7 minutes was impossible, never mind something I could just tag to the end of the run to see if I could do it!). I’d even go as far as saying I love running!

Take my word for it: even if you’re just starting and running for one whole minute seems difficult, you WILL get through it. Soon, it’ll be you standing at the podium, proudly graduating from this wonderful program.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations to you 'hjgibson' I bet you feel wonderful after your great achievement, well done.

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you, it feels great! Not long until your graduation run either, good luck

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to hjgibson]

Thank you, yes, it's not long until my graduation run, there was a post somewhere earlier today which gave me an idea regarding week 8 3 runs, officially the 3 runs are 28 minutes in length and week 9, 3 of 30 minutes. The idea is to run 2 of them in 28 minutes and the third one in 29 minutes so that by week 9 I have only 1 minute more to run, I will try that when my week 8 comes which is Wednesday, on Wednesday I will run 28 minutes, same on Saturday but I will try a 29 minute run next Monday. Since the start of my C25K journey, my 'week' has been from Wednesday to Tuesday, run days being Wednesday, Saturday and Monday.

[Ripcurlrana71]

Woohoo!!! Many congratulations hjgibson !!! Have loved following your successes on Strava and glad to have you on the graduate team! 🏃🏻‍♀️💪🏼🎓🍾👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

And to you too! It's been a pleasure seeing your runs pop up on my feed and it really helped to motivate me to get outside when I didn't want to. Here's to more running!

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to hjgibson]

Here here! And 🥂 cheers!! 😎

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Massive well done

Folk need to read these posts and feel inspired...

Party time now and then.... well ? This is just the beginning But.. that is after the champagne

Brilliant!

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! Definitely just the beginning, I already have my hopes set on training for a triathlon and a marathon in the future. Thanks for all your help!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to hjgibson]

Wowsers... go you After the celebrations checkout the post..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

So much great advice and of course.. we will still be here to help

[Ambr456 Graduate]

Congratulations hjgibson! I hope to be joining you on the podium tomorrow!

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Ambr456]

Good luck, it wasn’t as bad as I thought! 37 minutes went just as quickly as 30 minutes and my pace wasn’t bad either. Let me know how you find it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Ambr456]

Champagne is already waiting. I love a party

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Well done! 😃🎉😃🎉😃

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Thank you! I love seeing that graduate badge next to my name 😁

[WibbleWobble69]

Well done! So good to hear someone so positive at the goal. Thanks for sharing 😊

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to WibbleWobble69]

Thank you! It’s hard not to be positive when you’re feeling so proud of yourself 😁

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Well done! Congratulations! I will be celebrating with you in the next hour or so.....! 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

I can see by your badge that you’ve done it, good on you!

[Claireednet]

That is amazing! I’m looking forward to graduation but also a little scared as to what I will do without couch to 5k 🙈🤔

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Claireednet]

Luckily there are so many options to explore after c25k! I’m really loving the Zombies, Run app at the minute, it’s a good motivator to get out there and hear more of the story. Plus there are tons and tons of plans you can follow to build up to different distances or increase pace. But I agree that it’s all very daunting for a fairly new runner!

[Eiralas Graduate]

Congratulations, well done you! Impressive new running goals too

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Thank you! I’m definitely inspired by this to take on more goals I’ve dreamt of in the past but never had the courage to try.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to hjgibson]

You go for it!

[Lorijay Graduate]

Huge congratulations hj, awesome well done!! Great time too, enjoy your well deserved success. Might see you over to the bridge for the 10k plan

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you!! It’s definitely one of the plans I’m looking into once I’ve consolidated the 5k run a few times.

[Razouski]

wow, congratulations hjgibson , great that you graduated, fantastic that you added on another 7 minutes, fab that you completed 5k, and best of all you'r eleven' it.

Well done and happy post graduation running.

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thank you so much! It’s been such a blast, the 5k run was really just the cherry on top.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Congratulations graduate, well done runner!

[hjgibson Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you!!!

[Marvo69 Graduate]

Brilliant! Well done hj! x