From Ouch!-to-5K

[Christianne57]

Despite the set back of W1R2 when I fell and broke my nose, lost a front tooth and got two black eyes . . . . this morning, I have completed W9R3 😊

I am 61 next week and graduating C25K is a very special birthday present to myself.

To everyone doing C25K - have faith and believe in yourself - you can do it!! If I can, anyone can!

Special thanks to Oldfloss for sharing her special mantra - "Slow & steady" - it works!!

Big thank you to everyone on this forum for your support, encouragement and humour during this journey - its been fantastic!

Looking forward to consolidating runs over next three weeks and slowly building to running further and longer in the future.

Good luck and happy running

[Alanist Graduate]

Well done, what a great achievement. You should be very very proud 😀🥉👏

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Alanist]

Thank you! 😊

For me, its not just about the running. Doing W1R1 out in public was the worst as my self confidence and self image were low and I was horribly self concious. Following the programme has been life changing in terms of improving my confidence 😊

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Well done! Happy birthday! Congratulations on your graduation! I hope the rest of your running career is pleasantly uneventful (in comparison to your early encounter with the ground! )

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Thank you! Me too! 😁

I was lucky to have such great support from everyone this site to incentivise me to stick with it!

When I restarted the program, it was even better as my husband decided to do it with me to keep an eye on me! He has graduated today too 😊

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Christianne57]

Congratulations Hubby!! You're a star too!! How lovely to share this accomplishment with.

I like this forum too. So many positive comments, so many like minded people, lots of people with words of support and help. it's so very very helpful to know that you are not alone in your fears, worries and now successes.

Enjoy your day! You are both officially runners now!

[Hidden in reply to Christianne57]

Love this! My OH was a reluctant run buddy, but we also graduated together and I am thrilled to have something we can both enjoy xx

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

What a comeback. Congratulations runner 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy your hard won acheivement! 👍😁

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you! We both have been bitten by the running bug and hope for many more happy runs together 😊😊

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Congratulations & a very happy birthday! 🏆

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Thank you! I have got a birthday present that money can't buy too! Never ever thought that I could be a runner and yet now . . . . 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃

[Bobthedog]

Good for you Christianne! You are an inspiration to us all, good luck,

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Bobthedog]

Awww thank you Bobthedog! I aim to pack in as much life as I can into my life at 60+. Feel unstoppable now 😊😊

[Bobthedog]

And happy birthday x

[Tbae]

Amazing to have picked yourself up. You are one courageous lady.

Very many congratulations and celebrations.

Enjoy this gift to yourself and many ,many more happy days with your happy pace.

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Thank you! I am grateful and amazed by the positive changes in my life since starting C25K 😊😊😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Yes, that is a very special birthday present to you Christianne, congratulations, especially after those earlier setbacks. My graduation run is tomorrow, my daughter just visited me and gave me a Father's Day card and a box of chocolates and wished me luck for tomorrows run.

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you and wishing you a joyful graduation run tomorrow 😊😊

[Hidden]

Well done! Congratulations.

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Going to treat myself to a new top this week to mark the occasion 👕 😊😊

[Hidden in reply to Christianne57]

There's a C25K graduate one.

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oooh! I feel a retail therapy moment coming on!! 😊😊

[Lorijay Graduate]

Huge congratulations and best birthday wishes. A great achievement Christianne !

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you 😊 just getting psyched up to brave the local Park Run once Ive completed the consolidation weeks 😊 and then work towards joining the local running club. Lots to look forward to now 😊

[David_G]

Brilliant, well done, and what a great birthday present to yourself 🍾🥂🎂🎉🎁

Enjoy your graduation and consolidation 😀👏👏

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thank you! 😀 I'm lucky to have such great weather at the moment to be able to keep going 🏃🏃🏃

[owmeknees]

Brilliant! Congratulations to you and hubby, very well done. I remember seeing the photo when you tripped and thinking ouch! Great comeback! Happy birthday too 🎉🥂👏👍🍾🎂

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to owmeknees]

Thank you! After my trip, my husband said I should be at home knitting bootees, not running..... pleased that I kept going and he joined in 😊😊

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Congrats to both you and your hubby! It's such an amazing achievement and the perfect way to celebrate your birthday. Happy running for all the lovely runs ahead of you. 🏃‍♀️

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

Thank you 😊 we are both so thrilled to have graduated today and feel so much better for doing C25K 😊😊

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done!

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks! Can't quite believe that I've done this as never been sporty or athletic in my life until now 🙄

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Well done Christianne! That’s brilliant 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Thank you ☺ Slow and steady but we got there!

[Hidden]

Massive congrats Christianne57 ! That must be extra satisfying after a rocky run. I missed the post about your fall, what a shame. Hope you're completely recovered now. Welcome to the other side! 🍾🥂🏅🏃‍♀️💨💨

[Christianne57 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sutsha! 😊

I was determined to keep going as it was very important to me that I didn't make a temporary set back an excuse to wimp out.

Plus the satisfaction of disproving everyone (including myself) who said that I was too old/unfit/lazy/fat to be a runner! 😊😊

[Hidden in reply to Christianne57]

Best kind of satisfaction there is, proving someone quite wrong!

If you run, you're a runner. You don't have to be thin, fit, tall or young. Runners come in many different guises. The only thing they have in common is the love of running and desire to lace up and get out there, some are even reluctant participants, but do it anyway.

Well Done you I say! 🏃‍♀️💨💨👏👏👏👏👏

[Myrar Graduate]

Aww ..Well done christianne ..You did it woohoo ..Party all the way ..Fantastic ...Sorry I'm late ..All the very best to you and happy bday when it comes 😊😊

[Christianne57 Graduate]

Thank you! Still can't get the smile off my face! 😊😊😊😊