26 down 1 to go! 💪🏼

[Tartiflette]

W9R2. I wasn't committed to this run when I set off this morning. It's too hot, the air quality in the region isn't great with the moor fires & I'm not at my best physically today. I thought if I just did a short run I'd be pleased with that & repeat properly in the week.

The 1st 10 minutes were a real struggle & I was wondering why I do this to myself 🤔 But I kept it slow and steady & thought of all the wise advice I've read on here & happily it clicked into place.

This might have been my most challenging run mentally and I spent some considerable time pondering life without Laura & how I'll cope.

Physically, I lost a couple of litres of sweat along the way but breathing was fine at that pace and I hardly had to count 1234, 1234 😅

Thanks to everyone who posts on here. I've picked up so many good tips from you. It's such a supportive place & you're all amazing! See you on the other side x

[David_G]

Great work, you’re so close to graduation now. 👍 Just take it slow and steady and you’ll get there soon! 🏁🏆 It’s so hot out there too, so we all need to be cautious and make sure we’re fully hydrated 😳

Good luck and see you on the other side. We’re all cheering you on. 😀👏👏

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thank you!

[Tjar]

One more, how awesome is that!!! Go you, looking forward to graduating soon as well. Will you go for the B210K as well?

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Tjar]

Thank you! I hope so, though tempted to just do w9 forever 😂

[Tjar in reply to Tartiflette]

I had the same feeling about W1 😁

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Tjar]

😂

[Saartjie Graduate]

So close now! Enjoy your graduation run x

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Thank you x

[mayaena Graduate]

Great job! Well done - I am thinking the same thing - thinking maybe I'll keep using the app to repeat W9 for a while I work out what to work towards next.

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to mayaena]

Thank you! I like having those little words of encouragement from Laura. It will be odd running without the coaches.

Do you have any plans for the next stage distances?

[Domolos Graduate]

Well done I completed W9R3 on 8th May. I optimistically downloaded the NHS Couch to 5k+ podcasts & was disappointed. I didn't get with on the stepping stone podcast but have learnt to find the speed and stamina ones useful. I ignore the beat and run at my own pace, but they have taught me to go slower to increase stamina & the speed one introduced me to intervals. I still use W9 once a week (am addicted to the first track, poor Julie). I do a long run on a Saturday, gradually increasing to 9.3k this week. I use the stamina podcast and just restart it when it ends. The Good Run Guide web site has helped me to plan longer routes.

Good luck, hope you find something that works for you

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Domolos]

Thank you so much for posting that, it's a really useful insight - great to hear from a recent-ish graduate's experience (Well done for that too!)

I will be checking out those podcasts & that website 👍🏼

That's a great distance you're covering now. Are you aiming for a HM?