W9R3 Graduation run complete!

[Saartjie]

Well I did it folks and got the very pink face to prove it! Very proud of myself although still some way from 5k...definitely need some consolidation runs to get nearer to that particular goal.

So I can run without stopping for half an hour it would seem. And I don't pass out. And I enjoy it. Amaaaaazing! Who would have thought all the years of trying and only a few what seem like short weeks on this programme and I can now call myself a runner? No inverted commas necessary!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Now for the Oscars speech. Thank you for all the support and advice on here...I truly think that's what made the difference.🤗 It's been great being part of everyone's journey and having you be part of mine. Long may it continue.

I thank you 😁🤗🍾🥂

[Ripcurlrana71]

Woohooo!!! Congratulations Saartjie ! 🎉🎉👏🏼👏🏼🎓🍾💫😬

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thank you! 🤗

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Fantastic!!! Well done 🙌🏼

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[David_G]

Great work Saartjie, congratulations! 😀👍

You’re right, I think this forum is brilliant and I wouldn’t have graduated either without all the support 😊

Enjoy the glory of graduation!! 🏆🎓🍾🥂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thanks David. Celebrating with a curry so I may not be running for a few days 😂

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Yay! Well done! Fantastic! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😃😃😃

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Thank yoooouuuuu! 🤗🏃‍♀️

[Alanist Graduate]

Yay congratulations, well done, go celebrate 😀😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Alanist]

Thanks Alan 👍😀

[KDub38]

Well done!!! It’s a great feeling!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💪👍

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to KDub38]

Thanks! It really is 😎

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Awesome! It’s been fab watching your progress. Enjoy this moment, it’s really special and you’ve earned it.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Ahh thanks Jay...right back at ya! Can't believe it's suddenly here to be honest!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

See it as a door opening. Now it’s for you to take the decisions and guide it. Someone will be along with the link to the postgrad advice. Just keep running and keep posting!

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I intend to dont worry 😊

[Tbae]

Many congratulations.

Enjoy it all.

Very well done.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Thank you 😁

[Myrar Graduate]

Absolutely fantastic ...Go you ..Well done saartjie..You so deserve your graduation ...Virtual party going on woohoo. 😊😊😊

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Myrar]

Thanks - Am loving the virtual party! Pass the virtual fizz please 🍾🥂👍

[Myrar Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

One bottle or two 😊😊

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Myrar]

Maybe just one...it is a school night after all 🍾😆

[Myrar Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

One it is enjoy ....So pleased for you 😊

[SandieF Graduate]

Fantastic!!! Well done! 👏🎉👍🎉💪🥇

And your face looks fab, a lovely soft pink glow. I wish mine looked more like that instead of the bright red Belisha beacon dripping with sweat 🤪

Go and celebrate 🎉 🍾

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to SandieF]

I think it might be the beauty filter on my camera 😂 Thanks Sandie 🤗

[SandieF Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Oh I NEED that filter! 😂

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Fantastic! So happy for you!!

Love the photo.

I did mine earlier today too - we are officially runners now!! Amazing.

😀🏃😀🏃😀🏃😀

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Yay! Well done you 👏👏👏🍾🥂🏅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Myrar Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Well done goforitmama ..Welcome to the party 😊😊

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Myrar]

🍰🍾🍹😀😀 party on!

[calcath]

Well done. I’m only on week 1 so I need all the inspiration I can get! And you look glowing and healthy.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to calcath]

Glowing is the word! 🤒😅 Stick with the programme and trust it. Even when you think you can't do it just slow down and you really can. 😀

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

Congratulations!🏅

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Thank you 😊

[QueenTea Graduate]

Fantastic - well done 🎉🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏆🌟. Was looking out for your post so delighted to see you’ve graduated. Hoping to join you on Sat. Lovely photo 😉

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

Thought I would share my post run 'glow'! Thanks Queen...Will be looking out for you on Saturday 😊

[Hidden in reply to QueenTea]

You can do this Queenie! See you on Saturday post-grad for drinks 🍾🥂

[QueenTea Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much, Sutsha - looking forward to graduating but will miss the structure of the programme☺

[Hidden in reply to QueenTea]

You think that, but having spent must of W9 with no MJ, who kept crashing out at 10 mins it wasn't really a problem. You're already trained to do a 5 minute warm-up, run 30 and then 5 minute cool- down. I stated Zombies, Run last run just because I couldn't run it when using the C25K app - running 2 apps together usually results in complete failure. It's really good and a nice distraction. If you're not into Zombies then an audio book would work as motivation to get out there and get the next part of the story just the same.

[stupendous82]

Yay! Congratulations

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to stupendous82]

Thank you 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Wonderful! Well done. Congratulations! 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy your acheivement. 👍😁

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

Oh, Saartjie how amazing is that! Well done girl x Another graduate on our midst. Massive congrats! 🎉🎊🏃‍♀️💨🏅🍾🥂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!So pleased to be doing you on that podium! 😊🤗

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Omg...just re-read that! Should say 'joining you' 🤦‍♀️😂

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

You know, I didn't even notice. Knew what you were trying to say 😂😂😂😂😂 Do you think autocorrect is worse on here? I find I'm always editing!

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

So good to have you! Phew! Consolidating next... are you ready for this!!!! 💪💪💪 Of course you are! Bring it on 🏃‍♀️💨💨💨

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I am. Have my 5k goal to get now!

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

Just run as long as it takes. Where are you now distance-wise?

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

4k. It's just over 5k incl. warm-up and cool down walks. So I know I can do 5k in 40 mins, but would like to be able to run it all.

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

You'd do 5K in 37.5 at that pace. 😊

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Which I actually think is quite respectable bearing in mind I couldn't run for 2 minutes 9 weeks ago!

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

VERY respectable! 🏃‍♀️💨💨💨

[Crittermad Graduate]

Woo hoo! Congratulations I’m having a glass of wine to celebrate all the people who started with me and are now graduating - (I’m 2 weeks behind now) you still all continue to inspire me. 🍷 🥇🏆🎽👟🏃🏻‍♀️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

Thank you...had my curry and may join you in a glass now 🥂 You can carry the torch to the finish now 😁🏆

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

No pressure then! 😳😂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

No pressure! You can do it 👍

[Hidden in reply to Crittermad]

Yeah, that's why I'm having wine too! 🥂😁

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😂🍷 cheers!

[Hidden in reply to Crittermad]

Cheers! 🥂🍾🥂🥂

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

P.S. Hic!

[owmeknees]

Congratulations and well done! 👏🎉🍾🥂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to owmeknees]

Thank you! 😊

[Spacemonkey14 Graduate]

Congratulations !

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Spacemonkey14]

Thank you!

[66Fi Graduate]

Amazing! I’ve just completed my 20 minute run at the end of week 5 and feel like Paula Radcliffe 😂 😀 so can’t imagine how pleased you must be 😊Well done x

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to 66Fi]

That run was the turning point in believing I could do it. And here I am. Well done for completing that run...in a week they will tell you you are officially a runner!

[Beth-monkey Graduate]

Well done !!!

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Beth-monkey]

Thanks 👍

[BeccaTh Graduate]

Well done!

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to BeccaTh]

Thanks 👍

[jodieiwh Graduate]

Congratulations 🎉

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to jodieiwh]

Thank you 😊

[Gran4z Graduate]

Yeehah, well done Saartjie 🌟🍾🥂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Gran4z]

Thank you 😊

[sallenson Graduate]

Brilliant!! Well done you!! Now, where's that cake?

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Well we've got the drinks so the cake is on you!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Well done! Congratulations! And so with this special NHS C25k programme you made it! 🎓🍾🥂🎉🎉🎉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ And all the very best for your onward running journey.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you 😊

[Christianne57 Graduate]

Great running and many congratulations on graduating from C25K 😊 😊

The power of positive thinking in motion!

Hope you are celebrating your achievement! Proud of you x x

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Christianne57]

Ah thank you 😊

[18Windmill Graduate]

Huge congratulations! Well done you! 👏👏👏🥇

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Thank you!

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Ooh...you've got your badge!! 👍

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

I'm actually so excited it's ridiculous! By daughter is laughing at me right now 😂

[Lorijay Graduate]

Oh brilliant Saartjie, big congratulations!! Great achievement.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you 😁

[Hidden]

Hooray! Well done! 🏃‍♀️🥂🎉

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Fantastic achievement!! Well done you 🙌 Be proud 😬💪⭐️💫

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Thank you 😊

[thegirlfrommarz Graduate]

Yaaaay! Congratulations, Saartje - so brilliant to hear you’ve done it! 🎉🎉🎊🎂

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to thegirlfrommarz]

Ahh thank you 😊

[MelsieJay Graduate]

It’s a wonderful achievement. Well done x

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

Thank you 😊

[RobW73 Graduate]

Hooray!

Congratulations!

Graduation!

How are you celebrating?

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to RobW73]

Thanks Rob. Had a curry and a glass of wine and a virtual party. And tomorrow I'm going to treat myself to some earphones that won't fall out constantly!

[RobW73 Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Now that's a good idea. I could do with some too.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to RobW73]

I asked for recommendations on here yesterday so you could perhaps look at that post for ideas...

[RobW73 Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

I just noticed your "about me" details on your profile. Does that need updating...?

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to RobW73]

Duly noted and completed!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well Done saartjie, graduation day 🏃‍♀️🍾🥂👏🏅🏃‍♀️ and you’ve joined the 4k club 👍

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you! Feels like forever and yesterday all at the same time 😊

[lexi6 Graduate]

So very, very well done! 😃

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Thank you 😊

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Congratulations Saartjie!! You’ve done it! Yaaay! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎓🏆❤️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you! So happy to have completed this thing! 🏃‍♀️

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Congratulations!!

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Thank you! X

[LuluLogue Graduate]

Well Done

Bet you are feeling amazing!

I love this programme it’s worked miracles. I can’t believe

I’m getting up early tomorrow to do my graduation run.

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to LuluLogue]

I am thank you! It really is an amazing programme, and forum. I never trusted it enough before but know better now! Good luck tomorrow 😊

[Mumsygill Graduate]

Brilliant news! Very well done . Enjoy the feeling- you deserve it all! 👏🏻🥇🏃🏼‍♀️🍾

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Mumsygill]

Ahh thank you Mumsy 😊