Week 9 Run 3..... I did it, I finally graduate... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 9 Run 3..... I did it, I finally graduated!!! πŸ˜€πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

β€’90 Replies

Hey everyone...

I type this with teary eyes but tears of absolute happiness and relief.

Happiness because I've finally done it. I've finally graduated.

I started this programme back in September last year and unfortunately after reaching week 8 Run 3 I slipped over at work and hurt my foot and back. That was the start of many problems that ceased my running for 5 months. I was devastated but knew I would return.

9 weeks ago today I put back on my running shoes and started again with the determination of a woman on a mission.

As I look up a gaze upon this large playing field on the outskirts of Epping Forest, I remember the days when I couldn't run a quarter of it. Now I run round it multiple times. That alone was and is a great achievement for me.

Many wouldn't understand or don't care and that's why I've done this journey alone and that's why I'm here alone today with no one to cheer me on. But that's ok.

I know that everyone on this forum is cheering for one another and I'm soo greatful for you all.

I am so relieved right now aswell.... not because I've finally done it but because I was worried that my foot wouldn't carry me through but it did and right now it actually doesn't feel too bad.

When I reached to my usual spot earlier, the Saturday park run was in full force. So I just kind of joined in. Had to run in the complete opposite direction than I usually would but I did that to blend in and to also not get in anyone's way by going one way and everyone else going the next.

My graduation run went well and my samsung health app told me that I broke my fastest speed record. I wasn't trying to break any records or personal bests today at all. I just wanted to finish in one piece with my right foot still attached but it just happened.

Well I've shed my tears and will just sit here and reflect on my journey for a while.

My journey has far from ended though and you all won't get rid of me that easy. I intend to keep on running and maybe one day break that barrier of 5km in 30 minutes. It will happen, sooner or later.

A massive thank you to you all for your advice, kind words of encouragement and understanding when others didn't. Wish I could hug you all right now.

Now let me go and get my shiny badge that goes beside my name and order my #couchto5k medal which I will cherish from this day forth.xxx

90 Replies
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Eiralas profile image
EiralasGraduate

Huge congratulation Donna! You're right, we were all there cheering you on :-) Enjoy your badge, and I really hope your foot starts to improve soon

in reply to Eiralas

Thank you so much.x

Ajs07 profile image
Ajs07Graduate

Woo hoo massive well done xx so proud of you xx

in reply to Ajs07

Thank you. 😊

jeffbird profile image
jeffbirdGraduate

What an inspirational post, I'm just coming up to where you were the first time you did the programme and can't imagine having to stop and then start again after such a long time.

You're a hero! Congratulations :)

in reply to jeffbird

Thank you.😊

Jelon profile image
JelonGraduate

Many congrats. Well done you. It sure feels good doesn’t it. Sounds like you’ve come through a lot. πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ˜Š

in reply to Jelon

Thank you. Yep I've been through a whole heap but it just goes to show that when you want something bad enough, don't give up. Things will be thrown at you to stop you from succeeding but never give up. 😊

Jelon profile image
JelonGraduate in reply to

Savour this time as you soooo deserve it 😊

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate

Congratulations! We were all cheering you on, virtually πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ…πŸ†

in reply to Crittermad

Thank you and that much I know for sure. You guys are wonderful. 😊

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply to

We might be borderline okay. You're the wonderful one. Especially today of all days. xx

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71

Congratulations Donna!! πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸΎβ­οΈ

in reply to Ripcurlrana71

Thank you. πŸ˜„

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

Well done Donna! That is fantastic news! Enjoy your well deserved time up on that podium! πŸŽ‰πŸ˜ƒπŸŽ‰πŸ˜ƒπŸŽ‰πŸ˜ƒπŸŽ‰

in reply to Bridget007

Thank you soo much. It's a great feeling. 😊

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Well done. Enjoy the immense buzz (or deep mellowness) that follows this run. Especially well done for coming back for the second go after injury.

Lump in my throat thinking about what you said about doing this alone, and I know how that feels. I hope the running continues to bring you joy.

Awww thank you. Tears again. I came in this world alone and I will leave alone and many times in between I'll be alone. At least we can say that we did it from sheer determination and not because of someone else.

I'm sure the feeling that this day brings will continue while I run for a long time to come. Fingers crossed. 😊

Eiralas profile image
EiralasGraduate in reply to

Now I have the Editors 'An End Has A Start' going round in my head πŸ™‚ *hugs*

Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate

Oh Donna, you did it, congratulations, so very pleased for you. Well done !! and smile away you deserve to :) :)

in reply to Lorijay

Thank you. I sure am smiling ear to ear right now. 😊

Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate in reply to

The shiny badge looks great! :)

_SimonT_ profile image
_SimonT_Graduate

I’m so happy for you Donna! I’m almost in tears too! Your profile pic is one of the best on this whole site and I’m just imagining that beaming smile all over you face right now.

I suppose we all have to be determined to do this but for you have come back after all you went through is something beyond determination.

And you did it in style! β€˜I’ll just join in with this park run and get my best times ever’! Well done!

I’m glad your foot is ok too.

You are an absolute star! Many, many congratulations! ⭐️⭐️⭐️πŸ₯‡πŸ₯‡πŸ₯‡πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ€©πŸ€©πŸ€©

in reply to _SimonT_

Awww thank you so much. You guys helped more than you will ever know. 😊

cobrien profile image
cobrien

Huge congratulations x

in reply to cobrien

Thank you. 😊

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate

Amazing and another brilliant story showing that setbacks are just that and you can come back and keep going! Huge, huge congratulations, and here's to many more miles xx

in reply to icklegui

Thank you so much. We can all do it if we put our minds to it indeed. 😊

Gilly0410 profile image
Gilly0410Graduate

Well done graduate Donna!!! πŸ₯‡πŸ†πŸ˜˜

in reply to Gilly0410

Thank you.😊

Awww I've got my badge already. I waited a long time to see that beside my name. πŸ˜€

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Whoop whoopπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Congratulations Donna!πŸ˜„ πŸ‘‹ to you up on the podium wearing your shiny Graduate badgeπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

You did it....SO pleased for you.😊

We all run together here and will continue to follow you as you carry on with your running adventures...

Here is the what do I do next post...in case you haven't seen it.πŸ˜‰

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Well done Graduate 😊xxx

in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Awww thank you soo much. I'm on cloud nine right now. Will definitely give that article a read. Thank you again.x 😊

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done Donna, it’s quite an emotional journey isn’t it , and you’ve done well in keeping up with it with all the obstacles. Enjoy the podium with all those lovely people who’ve graduated this week. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ₯‚πŸΎπŸ…πŸ‘

in reply to Dexy5

Thank you and you're right, it is emotional. It's not often nowadays that I get to do something for myself but this definitely has been worth it.

A lot of people have also graduated his week, so a big congratulations to them too. πŸŽŠπŸŽŒπŸŽ–

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Oh, you. Just, oh, you. You have been just brilliant at this, all the way through. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you or how proud of you I am.

We've been on this since pretty much the start of your re-try. I couldn't have asked for a lovelier running buddy. You are one special lady, Donna.

Let's keep on plugging away, ok? Get your foot looked at. We've got a long way to go together, you and me.

And that badge looks just awesome on you.. :-)

xx xx xx

in reply to sallenson

Awww Stephen I was looking for you to wipe away my tears of joy earlier and if I get soppy now, they will return.

Everyone has been brilliant but you too have a special person to me. You kept me going without feeling that we were in a competition.

I am surely going to continue, no stopping me now. Will look forward to getting that 5k in 30 minutes very soon I hope.

Can't see a my GP until next week but fingers crossed it's nothing too serious that I'm dealing with.

And oh the badge.... I love it. Lots of hard work, guts and sweat went in to obtaining that badge as you very well know. 😊😊😊

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply to

No-one, just no-one, deserves this as much as you. Every flipping possible hug in the world is making its way from Sunny Sussex to Extraordinary Epping as we speak.

You are bloody fantastic!!!

xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

What a lovely, lovely post Donna! You are not alone with your teary eyes because your words have made me well up too! When I graduated (over two and a half years ago now), it had been following an injury at Week 8 of the programme which put me out for several months. I too, started virtually from scratch with that same steady determination to graduate!! I know how special today must feel!πŸ˜€. Huge congratulations on graduating - it sounds as though this is still the beginning of your journey and who knows where the running journey will take you...I went on to run further ( and a little bit faster!) completing my first half marathon last year! This was never an original goal but it's funny how this 'running bug' takes over and how much it can change our lives. You are right that this is a fantastic place to come for support and to share the journey (as are the Bridge to 10k' and 'Marathon runnning and Race Support' forums. ) Wherever you go next, whatever your goal - enjoy!!!πŸ™‚πŸ‘

in reply to Sandraj39

Thank you for your kinds words. You know exactly how I feel.

I don't have any major plans as yet but one thing is for sure.... I would love to be able to run that 5k in 30 minutes.

So I will continue to run these 30 minute runs for a few weeks and then hopefully try to increase my speed as I become stronger. From that goal is accomplished.... who knows. I may very well try going for the 10k. 😊

Kimterry profile image
KimterryGraduate

Congratulations - and well done for persevering. Happy running! πŸ‘πŸƒπŸ½β€β™€οΈπŸ…

in reply to Kimterry

Thank you. 😊

Katiepops profile image
KatiepopsGraduate

Fantastic Donna! The badge suits you! Looking forward to see how Class of June 2018 progresses! We are all amazing, but especially you today. Really well done. Time to celebrate.x

in reply to Katiepops

Thank you. Class of June 2018. I love that. It sounds good.

I surely will celebrate with a glass or 2 tonight. 😊

Keepcalm-keepsmiling profile image
Keepcalm-keepsmilingGraduate

Congratulations πŸ‘πŸΎπŸŽŠ With that determination and dedication anything is possible for you! Truly impressive πŸ™‚πŸ™‚

in reply to Keepcalm-keepsmiling

Thank you. Much appreciated. 😊

owmeknees profile image
owmeknees

Well done and congratulations! An inspirational story of true grit and determination. You have done so well to come back after your injury and time out. Enjoy stepping up to the podium πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‰πŸ₯‡

in reply to owmeknees

Thank you. I'm enjoying this special day.😊

Berksrover profile image
BerksroverGraduate

Congratulations Hidden so pleased for you and grateful that you shared your trials and tribulations with us all, stories like yours really do help motivate the rest of us, enjoy the graduation glow

🍾πŸ’ͺπŸ…

in reply to Berksrover

Thank you so much. I tried to be as honest as possible so others saw that people do have a hard time sometimes and that they're not alone when struggling.

I am most definitely enjoying the glow of graduating and looking forward to all the runs in the future to come. 😊

I am really happy for you Donna. You have done so well and have faced down considerable challenges

You are never alone with this forum and now you have a whole amazing future of running ahead of youπŸ‘πŸƒπŸΎβ€β™€οΈπŸ˜Š

in reply to

Thank you soo much. If nothing else I always knew that you all on here are always nothing but supportive and encouraging. Can't thank you all enough. 😊

Ang33333 profile image
Ang33333Graduate

Massive congratulations!🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

in reply to Ang33333

Thank you. πŸ˜€

AnnaOnAMission profile image
AnnaOnAMission

Amazing effort Donna. Total respect to you for coming back after your accident. I’m struggling with week 8 and found your post super inspiring so thank you. Enjoy the afterglow - long may it last! Xx

in reply to AnnaOnAMission

Awww thank you. And you will get past week 8. Graduation is waiting for you too.x

David_G profile image
David_G

Great work Donna, you’ve done so well to graduate πŸŽ“πŸ†

Welcome to the podium! πŸ˜€πŸ‘ Crack open the bubbly 🍾πŸ₯‚ and relax in the glory of what you’ve achieved! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

in reply to David_G

Thank you very much. I have to work tonight but I work in a nightclub, so where better to have a drink and celebrate! πŸ˜€

ccarter100 profile image
ccarter100

I’m so thrilled for your accomplishment! Great job!

in reply to ccarter100

Thank you. It's an amazing feeling. 😊

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate

Congratulations Donna, you certainly deserve your badge - and a few more too! :) You have enormous determination and have made it through obstacles that would have put many off ever bothering to return. But you stuck at it and kept on going, hopefully that makes today all the more sweeter. The sky's the limit from now on :) x

Thank you so much. You've been around and read all my ups and downs but throughout it all, it was more than worth it. I'm glad I stuck with it. 😊

99pinkbubbles profile image
99pinkbubblesGraduate

wow , i have tears for you , what a story , to pick up again after injury must be so hard and that makes your achievement mean so much more . Well done my friend xxx

in reply to 99pinkbubbles

Thank you. 😊

What a lovely post! Congratulations and wishing you all the best on your future runs! X

in reply to

Thank you.πŸ˜„

Myrar profile image
MyrarGraduate

Aww donna im sending you hugs right now ...Many many many congratulations ...Im so proud for you ...Feeling teary reading your post as i was on my graduation ...Let the happy tears flow sweetheart all the very best to you ...So so chuffed for you ...We all need to keep in touch no one is going any where i hope ..This forum has got us all through .....Well done ..😊😊😊😊😊

in reply to Myrar

Thank you and I won't be going anywhere.

On to Week 10, 11, 12 etc etc from here for now.😊

Bev_Beeti profile image
Bev_BeetiGraduate

Well done - tenacity really did pay off

in reply to Bev_Beeti

Thank you. 😊

Sarakc profile image
SarakcGraduate

Congratulations Donna!! I’m so very pleased for you!! You are such an inspiration to others too! Very well done!! πŸ˜€πŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸŽ“πŸ₯‡xx

in reply to Sarakc

Awww thank you. That's very sweet of you. 😊

Rachells71 profile image
Rachells71Graduate

Well done πŸ‘πŸ» what a great achievement

in reply to Rachells71

Thank you.😊

Gilliano666 profile image
Gilliano666Graduate

Fantastic πŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸΎxxx

in reply to Gilliano666

Thank you.😊

Mumsygill profile image
MumsygillGraduate

Donna you’re a star! Very well done . Hope you’re proud of yourself - we’re very proud of you. It’s been a pleasure following your posts . Look forward to hearing what you’re up to next . πŸŽ‰πŸΎβ€οΈπŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ₯‡πŸ˜˜

in reply to Mumsygill

Awww thank you. I will most certainly continue running the 30minutes for now and see if I can improve on distance covered in due time. After that, who knows! Maybe the 10k one day.😊

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Donna - you are a STAR! :) AND NOW ALSO A GRADUATE!!!!!

Many congratulations, you sure earned them :)

in reply to Irish-John

Thank you soo much. 😊

Tinker5393 profile image
Tinker5393Graduate

Well done and a heartfelt post . You derserve that medal ☺☺

in reply to Tinker5393

Thank you.😊

F1ipperation profile image
F1ipperationGraduate

Great post. Well done πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ’ͺπŸ»πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈYou are certainly not alone. Looking forward to hearing about your post grad posts. Enjoy πŸ˜‰πŸŽΊπŸŽΊπŸŽ“πŸŽ“πŸΎπŸΎπŸ‘ŒπŸ˜€

in reply to F1ipperation

Thank you. I will surely keep you all posted.😊

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail

Yaaaaay congratulations!

in reply to Sarahsnail

Thank you.😊

Congratulations! That was a heart-breaking read to hear that you've felt so alone. Hopefully the fact that we're all right there with you will help a little. Then a feeling of elation swept over me to hear the strength it must've taken to continue the programme with your injury. I'm impressed and full of respect for you. What are your plans now? I'll be watching with great interest. 🍾πŸ₯‚πŸŽŠπŸŽ‰πŸ…πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ’¨

in reply to

Thank you. Well for now I just intend to continue running 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Hoping to hit that 5k in the coming weeks to come. That's the immediate goal. After that... I'm not too sure as yet but I will continue to run for sure 😊

ChrisAllen1 profile image
ChrisAllen1Graduate

Well done Donna, I remember starting out together last September. Your injury was such bad luck but I'm so pleased you have now made it. See you over in Bridge to 10k soon!!!

dubnde profile image
dubnde

So very well done Donna

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