Just Graduated! 😁🏅😎🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🌟

[mountaindreamer]

Just back through the door and about to do my stretching / foam rolling routine... W9R3 done. Surprised how emotional I felt about that - had to blink back tears as I started running and again halfway through! I’d like to thank everyone on this forum, and especially the wonderful admin team. I may not post that much, as I’ve really no skills at making a run sound entertaining reading, and my own struggles have been nothing compared to what many of you have battled with to get to this point! But I’ve been inspired by your stories daily, and I’ve read and tried to follow the wonderful advice given by our generous admins.

When I started the programme weeks ago (more than 9 - there was the week away hillwalking, a few back issues, then last week the stinking cold...) I knew I wasn’t really starting from the “couch”, as I was already reasonably fit, and I had no weight issue to also battle with. It was thought very unlikely I’d ever be able to run again, though, as my fused spine disliked impact badly (for many years I struggled to even walk). I also have all my pulse coming from a pacemaker, with a little crystal inside it looking for increased arm movement to boost my pulse more. (So if you see a crazy woman madly throwing her arms around while running, please wave back - it’s probably me trying to get a higher pulse rate!)

I’ve already ordered my C25k club Tshirt, and shall wear it with pride. What next? Consolidation for a few weeks, then hopefully big school and the move up to the 10k training plan. I’d like to run by the sea on Wednesday, instead of just on pavements around our house for once. (As my usual daily supporter is the grinning garden gnome I pass outside someone’s front door, though, I’m wondering if I should go and ask him if he wants to come out for a day trip...😂😁) My husband’s then hoping we’ll start trying park runs. Not so sure about those yet, as I suspect I’m too competitive and will simply end up trying to run too fast at the moment. Maybe once I’m more confident that I can keep to my own pace...

Happy Running to everyone heading out today, and once again, thank you. ❤️ 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😊

[KarenSmpson1]

Congratulations!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to KarenSmpson1]

Thanks! 😊❤️

[gwrunner18 Graduate]

Whooo congratulations 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 💥 👊

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to gwrunner18]

Thanks - looking forward to my shiny graduation badge from Oldfloss now! 😁❤️

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Very well done you! Fantastic achievement 🙌 Be proud! 🎉💪⭐️👊

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Thanks! 😊❤️

[QueenTea Graduate]

Congratulations- feels great doesn’t it🏆🌟👏🎉

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

Thanks - yes, it sure does! 😁❤️

[Lola333 Graduate]

Congratulations!!! ⭐️

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Lola333]

Thanks! 😊❤️

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations mountaindreamer...now you can run for 30 minutes!

Step up to the podium and ask for your July Graduation badge here...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Well done!😊xx

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks for the new link - I was a bit ahead of the July badge post, so had posted late under the June badge post! Hopefully I get my shiny badge soon...😃❤️

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Well done! Congratulations! Enjoy your time on the podium! I think that I can hear the applause and cheers from here! 🎓🥇🍾🥂🎉🎉🎉 And all the very best for your onward running journey. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️Wow! You may not have had fitness issues or excess weight, but a fused spine and pacemaker to contend with, well I hardly have words!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks, 61andtrying

I see other people’s struggles with the programme and getting motivated, and think I had it easy. This programme really does work, though, and without it I doubt I’d have been running for even 5 mins without ending up stuck lying on my back again. The gradual increase, and “slow and steady” encouragement have allowed me to adopt a completely different running gait that my spine seems to cope with. 😊❤️

[theoldfellow]

Great result. I followed your pacemaker issue, and IMO you deserve an extra cheer!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to theoldfellow]

Aw, thanks, theoldfellow. All cheers gratefully received! 😁❤️

To be fair, I’m on my 4th pacemaker, and was ridiculously active with them in my 20s. Heart conditions seem to like to change a bit as we get older, though, so the poor thing has to workout what pulse rate to give me for exercise now. Not a simple task. Running on the flat with short steps and lots of arm movement gives me a much higher pulse rate than climbing mountains these days, due to how the thing works - hence the draw of running to get fit! 😊🏃‍♀️

[Crittermad Graduate]

Congratulations! You should take that gnome on your trip!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

Thanks Crittermad! I’m thinking that too...sure some sea air would do him good! 😂❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations and definitely try a Parkrun 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🍾🥂☀️

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5. ❤️ I did my Parkrun registration form online last night, so have my bar code now. Think we may try this Saturday at one that all my husband’s work colleagues won’t be at, with him promising to run more slowly with me for my first time! 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

That’s great - and don’t forget to take your barcode with you (unlike me last weekend). Put your hand up to say it’s your 1st Parkrun and they’ll give you a special briefing. It’s good to have a running buddy too , I did on my 1st one. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👏

[Laineydglm Graduate]

Wow!!!! Awesome!!! Congrats!!!!!

And an extra couple of cheers for your spine and pacemaker! Even more impressive!

You must be feeling so chuffed!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Laineydglm]

Thanks Laineydglm! 😊❤️