Shocked and stunned - never ever thought I would graduate all those weeks ago. Well here it is. Hey - I'm a graduate, I can walk round M&S tapping people on the shoulder & telling them that! Don't know why I had doubts and was so nervous today - guess Monsieur sallenson is a hard act to follow - but also the best motivation you could ask for and a great support and friend! As is Jay66UK and everyone else who has been so encouraging and put up with my neediness - thanks guys you really are the best. Not one to blow my own trumpet - I'm my biggest and harshest critic but I have overcome quite a lot to get this far, I know others on here have a lot worse medical problems than me, but knowing that every time I ran I was going to get a crippling headache afterwards and yet powering through regardless I think deserves a pat on the back.
Well slap me sideways & call me Judy! - Couch to 5K
Well slap me sideways & call me Judy!
Brilliant news....well done you - hope to join you this weekend!
ps did you know that a cause of headache/muscle ache after exercise can be histamine intolerance? I only started running again recently....and have been way more successful than previously....and the answer to it (for me) is in this article!!
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
That’s great - thank you. I will have a look.
Lol “When suggesting that histamine plays an important role in exercise responses, questions arise, such as “are you saying people are allergic to exercise?” “
That said this sound interesting will read fully later, thanks for posting!
Bizarrely, for some people, yes! after years of feeling a bit of a hypochondriac, a wise GP stuck me on high daily doses of fexofenadine and zantac (as described in the article)....4 weeks later I started running again for the first time in years, and graduate this weekend!
It wont be the answer for everyyone - but I only recently found this article and it was a real slap to the forehead moment. I wont bore you with the details, and beware of the internet loonies.....but there is enough serious medical research into this...and I am living proof (and it wasn't exercise that started it - just a host of bizarre symptoms that didn't feel related and were diagnosed as all sorts of things. The energy and ability to run is purely a side benefit...... along with being able to drink alcohol and eat what I like again)!!
I don’t doubt your experience one bit! I just found the phrasing funny 
glad you found a way to work with it!
Haha - I know what you mean - its fab to have it as an excuse
....although the Kat is out of the bag now......no more excuse...see you on the podium later this weekend!!
Would love to read this in English! Pity it's not written for patients. I can relate to this as I've been described as atopic and have allergy-triggered asthma and exercise-induced asthma. At the beginning of any new exercise programme I suffer extreme DOMS and breathing problems which do lessen with time, but it's so bad at the outset that I've had to build up from only taking part once a week until the pain lessens.
I recently commented on here that I didn't have the same reaction to the C25K and put it down to the slow build-up. Interestingly, it also coincides with a change in my anti-histamines as the over-the-counter ones stopped having any affect and I was changed to a high dose Fexofenadine. I also changed to a once-a-day Revlar inhaler.
Now I'm questioning what has been the root cause for improvement. This is the first full year I've had without a severe respiratory illness.
That’s really interesting. I’m going to look into this once I’m off the crutches and moonboot and able to restart. Maybe there’s something in it for me too and the m.e. symptoms. That’s all so random and perhaps there is another answer! Well done for being persistent inspite of it all. This program is hard for everyone- so when there’s a health thing making it even more challenging you need an extra big pat on the back 🤗
Big congratulatory hugs to you Hidden ! You have overcome a lot and have every right to be proud. Enjoy your day on the podium and runs forever after xx
Overcome us lot banging on anyway. Enuff to give a Saint a migraine 😂
Excellent news! Very well done.
Shows how supportive I actually was, I was unaware of the headache thing!
What are your plans now, graduate?
Ha ha! You were great. I’m going to consolidate coz I really struggled with this W9 until I get it under control & clock up a few more km - I’m not quite at 5k yet - about 4.72 but that’s with walking at the beginning & end & I do longer than five mins. I’m going to France at the end of July so I’m planning on waiting til I get back to see where I’m at & what I do next. Maybe a park run but I will have to wait til the weather cools down.
That’s the same stats as I get including the walk. I’ve stopped worrying and starting being wowed by the fact I have actually run more than 15 seconds!!! Feel fabulous! X
Me too! I just want to get through 30 mins without struggling- then I will worry about distance & speed.
Wow! Well done! Time to celebrate, hope you have some fun today.
Sorry, I did not know you have been getting headaches. I sympathise and hope you can find a solution soon. I just makes your graduation even more of an achievement. You are awesome!
Would you settle for a warm embrace and calling you GRADUATE!!!
Many congratulations you Welsh Wonder Well done
Yes - thank you. It’s a weird feeling. Part elation & part sadness. Weird.
OMG!! Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Enjoy your time on the podium. 🍾🥂🎓👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
* I was getting headaches and turns out I’d strained a muscle in my neck. After a sports massage everything was fixed and no more headaches. Well apart from when it’s really hot!
Ok it's Judy now. Brilliant, enjoy the feeling, and be proud 🍾🎉🌞
Massive congratulations! Llongyfarchiadau! 
Well done you for keeping going through those headaches - I don't think I could have done that. I hope you can figure out why they happen and knock them on the head, so to speak. Good luck with the consolidation runs!
Thank you! They diagnosed it as exercise-induced migraines- I had to stop exercising for a year while they investigated - hence this programme to ease me back in gradually. They are under control now but that’s because I’m on beta blockers- I have to run in the gym as well because I can’t run in any kind of sunny or warm weather.
That sucks, but glad to hear they are at least under control. Huge respect for pushing through, doing the runs when you know you will be in pain later, and doing it in the gym too. Totally enjoy your celebrations today 🍰🍾🎂🍾🍰
Here's a slap on the back from me. You have done an excellent job, well done Graduate!
Don't forget to ask for your badge
Enjoy the running (and I hope your headache is resolvable)
Oh yes I must sort out the badge. The headaches - well they were migraines are under control. Thank you.
YoooHooooYooo!!!
See? U only bloody did it! U r a supermegasupermegastar!!!
But seriously. Go into M&S this arvo and barge into everyone so u can tell them the Good News. Think Mormon but with jokes and health benefits.
Now give me a big old Sussex hug for heaven's sake ❤❤❤🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️👍👍👍
😂😂. OMG can you imagine if I actually did that in M&S - and in Tunbridge Wells too - I’d be arrested. It is tempting though.
Lurk around the ready meals or dessert aisles...
Take out the elderly first. They're beige skittles...
Massive congratulations to you Welshwitch!
You have been on such a journey to get here and have done it with determination, warmth, good humour and generosity to your fellow runners (especially me!).
I looked back over some of your posts. I would love to know what going ‘full dark, no stars’ means. I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or a bad thing!
Good luck with all your future running and may your head be as clear and pure as a dream of white fluffy clouds in a blue sky on a cool day. Xx 😀
Thank you! If I said I was like Zebedee on speed does that give you an idea? The only person I’m ever competitive with is myself (and sometimes my sister but she’s a flake) I just used to always try to go faster - uphill sometimes as well but I could never sustain it. Thank goodness for Oldfloss and her slow & steady - I never would’ve got through this without heeding that! How are you feeling?
Aah! I know exactly what you mean! Yeah - my thanks goes to all the folks on here for advice and Ian and all his amazing links for slowing me down!
I’m getting there thanks. I keep saying hopefully back to run tomorrow but realistically it might be Sunday.
Yeah don’t rush back too soon & make yourself ill. As Oldfloss always says - running will always be here for you.
Inspirational, congratulations, welcome to the club, why stop at M&S?
Oi oi Admin types!! Lady here needs a Badge!! 😂😍😍
Congratulations!! 💪🏻🏃🏼♀️🍾🥂. I’m so chuffed for you Cariad xx
Wow well done - I’m v impressed, enjoy the feeling 👏🏼🎉😊
Omg well done!!! Massive congratulations!! Whoop whoop 👏🎓🍾🥂🥇🎉. Zebadee on speed, I know how you feel. Enjoy the day 🥂👏😘
Watch out M&S!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Superb! Well done you 👏👏 many congratulations 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoy your new bragging rights and ability!! 👍😁
Very many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.
It all starts here...........
This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Keep running, keep smiling.
Thank you! looking forward to the next chapter.
Congratulations Welshwitch. So well deserved. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🤸♀️🏃♀️🥂🍾🏅
Yay! Well done Witchy! So pleased for you 🤗 Sorry to hear about the headaches - that must be a nightmare! Enjoy your graduation 😀🏃♀️🍰🍾🥂🏅
Thank you! I shld’ve said that the headaches are migraines & are under control now - with medication unfortunately but I’m hoping that will be short-term. At least i can run again & that’s the main thing for me.
That's good at least. Enjoy your evening 😊
Well done welshwitch graduate!! 😘🥇🏆knew you could do it!!
Well done! You definitely deserve a pat on the back and you should blow your trumpet loud and clear 🎉😃🎉😃🎉😃
Toot toot for the witch!
Yes! 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
Congratulations 🎉🏃♀️👨🎓🥇🥂🎉
Congrats on your graduation 🍾🍾🍾☺☺
Congratulations and well done! 🎉🥂🍾👏👍
Omg well done welshwitch ..So proud of you fantastic ...Your an absolute star ...Enjoy your graduation ..And the feeling of achievement wrap it up and keep hold of it forever ...Not a feeling like it ...Well done 😊😊
Fantastic news! Many, many congratulations. Thanks for your encouragement after my week 6 wobble. Have repeated week 5&6 after enforced rest Doctors orders. Just finished week 6 again and looking forward to following in your footsteps and graduating in due course. Well done so pleased for you x
Sorry missed this!
Congratulations Welshwitch🎉🎉🎉
Hope you are still glowing with pride at your amazing acheivement. You are now a Proper runner. It's official, you have a Badge!😄😄😄 and can run for 30 minutes!
Good luck with your continuing journey, plenty more adventures to come.
Happy running Graduate 😊 xx
Yeeeeeessss!! Well done Judy!! Xx
Well Done! Belated congrats as somehow I missed this yesterday. Proud moment for you and a well-deserved new shiny badge. 🍾🥂🎊🎉🏃♀️💨👏👏👏🏅
Fantastic! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎉🍾🍾🍾🍾
Brilliant achievement -even more so with all you had to deal with. I’m behind reading posts cos have been sulking on the couch in my fetching moonboot and too jealous to read about people running. What a nasty person I am. Catching up now and I am so pleased to see you had the national anthem on the podium. I was in M&S in TW a couple of weeks ago and so I have a great visualisation of you going round there. Thanks for making me laugh!!
You are not horrible at all! It’s only human to feel like that. What have you done? I must’ve missed your post?
I broke my leg just above the ankle on Saturday evening. Just about an hour after proclaiming at the top of a mountain (as you do) that it was the first time for 22 years that i have been and felt fit (cos of m.e.) and that it was the longest spell for five years that I haven’t been ill!! Then I tripped and did this and it’s all buggered up (but I’m not ill)
Tough to just be ok about it tho after the huge effort to get to this point. x
Oh no! Bless you. That is such a shame. Hang on in there though - you came so far & you will get back there. Take it easy & go gently. Sending virtual hugs.
Brilliant - well done!
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