Tricky road to graduation : After the chilled... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Tricky road to graduation

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate
69 Replies

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 😬

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Crittermad profile image
Crittermad
Graduate
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69 Replies
Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Lorijay

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

Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate 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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Lorijay

I do thanks

David_G profile image
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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate 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 profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

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

Ouching profile image
OuchingGraduate

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate 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 profile image
Gran4zGraduate in reply to Ouching

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

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Saartjie

Aww thank you 😊

jodieiwh profile image
jodieiwhGraduate

Congratulations 🎉🎉🏅🏅

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to jodieiwh

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

jodieiwh profile image
jodieiwhGraduate in reply to Crittermad

Graduation run on Friday all being well.🤞

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to jodieiwh

Ooh! Will be cheering you on!!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Fabulous450

Thank you! Not long for you now!!

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to DeeRunning

Thanks a lot!

Gillma profile image
GillmaGraduate

Brill.i.ANT! Well done, Crittermad.

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Gillma

Thank you!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

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

owmeknees profile image
owmeknees

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to owmeknees

Thank you

janevine profile image
janevineGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to janevine

Thanks a lot

Agaig profile image
AgaigGraduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Agaig

😂 oops sorry! Thanks

Deborahchick46 profile image
Deborahchick46Graduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Deborahchick46

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

Ouching profile image
OuchingGraduate

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 profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply to Ouching

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to sallenson

Thanks a lot! July is THE month to graduate!

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate 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 profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Brilliant, well done!

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Thanks a lot

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate 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 profile image
sallensonGraduate 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 profile image
SweatyfacedGraduate

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate 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 profile image
LoungeLizaardGraduate

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to LoungeLizaard

Yay us!!! Congratulations 👏👏👏

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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to

Thanks a lot

Soozy16 profile image
Soozy16Graduate

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

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Soozy16

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

Soozy16 profile image
Soozy16Graduate 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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Soozy16

Those endorphins never showed up here either!

Notjustjanice profile image
NotjustjaniceGraduate

Well done hope to join you soon.

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Notjustjanice

Thank you - July will be a bumper crop!

Jeaniedeans profile image
JeaniedeansGraduate

Congratulations!!

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Jeaniedeans

Thanks a lot

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

👏👏👏Congratulations 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🏅

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability!! 👍😁

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Thanks a lot

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

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

👏🍾🥂🏅🎉💫

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Dexy5

😂 thank you!

Tartiflette profile image
TartifletteGraduate

Returning the congratulations over here! Nice one! ⭐️🥂

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Tartiflette

🥂🍾

Glynis1 profile image
Glynis1

Well done you 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

Runningroni profile image
RunningroniGraduate

Well done you

Beetroot is the look this season

Ask all ladies of a certain age

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to Runningroni

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

amanda2463 profile image
amanda2463

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Crittermad profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to amanda2463

Thank you!

_SimonT_ profile image
_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 profile image
CrittermadGraduate in reply to _SimonT_

Thank you!

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