Tricky road to graduation

[Crittermad]

After the chilled out run on Monday I was hopeful for the same again tonight - the temperature had dropped a bit too so I was confident my graduation run would be fine.

It was tricky! I found it hard to get into a rhythm and my breathing was a bit ragged. The first 10 mins were tough, then I settled but my legs were heavy. I had a hot flush too which didn’t help so I ended up beetroot.

Anyway I did it (I was doubtful at 5 mins) and I’m a graduate 👩🏻‍🎓🏃🏻‍♀️ - a slow one, but I’ll take that for now! (Actually looking at the stats it was 35s/km faster than Monday 🤔🤯, and the first km was my fastest so far - pacemaker buddy did a good job, no wonder I was bloody knackered!! 😜)

Thank you so much to all my virtual run buddies, those who started the same time as me (as flew past me as I went on holiday) and those who met up along the way. You are all an inspiration and motivation to keep going ; I really could not have done it without you all. Also thanks to the admins for your great advice and periodic reality checks to keep us off the IC.

Need to think about consolidation now while I work on my spreadsheet 😬

[Lorijay Graduate]

Huge congratulations Crtittermad, big well done!! Enjoy your well deserved celebration.

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks a lot - it was another one of those stats much better than it felt runs 😂

[Lorijay Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

No they don't always reconcile do they..lol.. but hey you are now a graduate, hope you feel really proud!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

I do thanks

[David_G]

Congratulations, that’s an excellent result! 👏👏😀 Don’t worry about the time or pace, you got to the end and you’ve graduated! 🥂🍾👩‍🎓

Yes, it’s wise to do a bit of consolidation before heading on. I did 3 weeks and just started Bridge to 10K this week. 🙂 Just take your time and don’t try to do too much too soon.

Now relax and celebrate your wonderful achievement! 😀🏆🏅👏👏

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thanks a lot - I may try to plan some alternative routes to try for the consolidation runs - try to even out my pace as well - the first km is always fastest, may even think about some shiny new shoes 👟

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Woo hoo! Been looking forward to your turn. The podium is ready. Well done, fellow graduate x

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thank you! - cut the cake I’m climbing up!

[Ouching Graduate]

Well done you.

Have my graduation run tomorrow (well I hope)

Only found this community last week but you have been one of the blogs I look out for. So very pleased for you.

Huge huge congratulations and virtual whoppees and whizz pops

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Ouching]

Thank you! Hope your graduation run goes well (or the stats are good 🙄) - it’s win win either way I guess! I’ll make some room on the podium for you and save some cake!

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to Ouching]

Hi, hope your graduation run goes well. Enjoy the exhilaration of climbing on to that podium 🎉

[Saartjie Graduate]

Congratulations Crittermad! So happy for you 🏃‍♀️🏅🎉👏👏👏👏

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Aww thank you 😊

[jodieiwh Graduate]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🏅🏅

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to jodieiwh]

Thanks a lot! where are you in the program now? These last few weeks have flown!

[jodieiwh Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

Graduation run on Friday all being well.🤞

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to jodieiwh]

Ooh! Will be cheering you on!!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Yeeesss Crittermad! Well done you! Brilliant! 😁😁👏🏽👏🏽🎓🏆❤️

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you! Not long for you now!!

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Congratulations! Well done and well run. Enjoy the consolidation runs 😀👍🏃‍♀️🍰

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

Thanks a lot!

[Gillma Graduate]

Brill.i.ANT! Well done, Crittermad.

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Gillma]

Thank you!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations for completing the program and Graduating Crittermad 🎉🎉🎉🎉

You did it..Well done!

Hope you enjoy many more running adventures now you can run for 30 minutes. Happy running Graduate 😊 x

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks a lot - it’s a great program- I’ve recruited a few along the way!

[owmeknees]

Congratulations and well done! 👍👏😂🍾🏃🏻‍♀️🎉

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to owmeknees]

Thank you

[janevine Graduate]

You’ve done it ! Enjoy the moment and happy running for the future 👍

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to janevine]

Thanks a lot

[Agaig Graduate]

Now you've spoiled the surprise at the end of week 9 for everyone. Well done.

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Agaig]

😂 oops sorry! Thanks

[Deborahchick46 Graduate]

Big congratulations. You should feel very proud of yourself 🥇💪🏃

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Deborahchick46]

I am a bit! Tired this morning- I think that’s psychological 😂

[Ouching Graduate]

Budge up babe xxx make room on the podium. I just ran my graduation run. 5.52 k in 37 mins

Very hot very sweaty very chuffed

I am off to eat cake loads of cake

Thank you you

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Ouching]

Blimey! It's Graduation Madness out there today!! Well done you!!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thanks a lot! July is THE month to graduate!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Ouching]

👏👏👏👏 come on up - it’s a big podium plenty of room and cake! That’s a great time/distance- you must be chuffed, well done you! Thanks a lot

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Brilliant, well done!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks a lot

[sallenson Graduate]

Well done you!! About bloody time too. We've been waiting ages here, defending your cake.

Take today off but get out there tomorrow and consolidate the pants of this puppy xxx ❤

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thanks a lot, better late than never! I will write up a plan - consolidation leading into a jay66uk style spreadsheet. I am tired today - it’s the emotion of it all I think! 😊

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

Forget the spreadsheet. Set some objectives for the next few weeks and for each run. Mix it up. Have fun. New routes, intervals and speed stuff, hills, easy runs. Loads of choice now you're a runner. Don't be a hamster doing the same old runs three times a week. Boring and won't make you a better runner.. 🏃‍♀️❤🏃‍♀️👍

[Sweatyfaced Graduate]

Huge congratulations; doesn't it feel good?? Such an achievement. Now get your badge, enjoy your day off today and get back out there tomorrow for your first run as a graduate! Xxx

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Sweatyfaced]

Thanks, will do - I’ve added my name to the graduate list - does your badge only show website? I tend to use the app

[LoungeLizaard Graduate]

Fantastic result YAY!!!!

I had a few technology issues on my run, but made it!! We both graduated on the same day!!! Yay us!

Congratulations!! x

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Yay us!!! Congratulations 👏👏👏

[Hidden]

Fantastic! Well done. Another one on the other side! You've done great getting here and I've no doubt it'll just be good things for you here on in!

🍾🥂👏👏👏👏👏💫🏃‍♀️💫🏅

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot

[Soozy16 Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YaY!!!! Well done it’s not been easy in this heat either! 🎉🎉🎉🌟

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Soozy16]

Thank you - I know - I’m hoping it will all of a sudden seem easier 😜

[Soozy16 Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

I’m still waiting for the endorphins to kick in! Still having trouble breathing correctly. Legs aren’t too bad. I’m not pushing myself as hard now and going at my own pace with a few more short breaks. It’s way too hot!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Soozy16]

Those endorphins never showed up here either!

[Notjustjanice Graduate]

Well done hope to join you soon.

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Notjustjanice]

Thank you - July will be a bumper crop!

[Jeaniedeans Graduate]

Congratulations!!

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Jeaniedeans]

Thanks a lot

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

👏👏👏Congratulations 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🏅

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability!! 👍😁

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks a lot

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations Crittermad. Get up on that podium and collect your shiny badge.

👏🍾🥂🏅🎉💫

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

😂 thank you!

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Returning the congratulations over here! Nice one! ⭐️🥂

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

🥂🍾

[Glynis1]

Well done you 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

[Runningroni Graduate]

Well done you

Beetroot is the look this season

Ask all ladies of a certain age

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Runningroni]

Good to be ‘ in style’ it comes in phases - definitely a beetroot phase currently 😥🍅

[amanda2463]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to amanda2463]

Thank you!

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

Congratulations Crittermad! Fantastic! What a great runner you are and a super post too. Sorry I’m a bit late!

All the best with your future running! 😀

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Thank you!