Dobby, new shoes and graduation! I did it!!!

[Dizzysmum17]

Apologies for the uncomfortable photo! 😆 On 6th February this year I gave up smoking for the second (and last) time and today - 6th July - I graduated Couch to 5K! I started again on May 7th after a month’s setback and have gone from being a smoking, middle-aged non-runner to being able to run for 30 minutes! And I have loved (almost) every minute of it! Dobby the lurcher has been my constant companion as has an eclectic mix of music, emotion and pace!

Thanks so much to all those who are at the same place as me in the programme and who have supported me every step of the way - particularly these last few weeks - you all know who you are so I won’t tag you all - and thanks also to this forum and the sage advice given from those admins and graduates whose support has been invaluable! This place and this programme is fantastic and really works - I know I’m not the first to say that and won’t be the last but it so does!!

Now I have new shoes to break in and a 5K next weekend to prepare for! I was too superstitious to wear them until I managed the magic 30 minutes and graduation but now I can get excited about them!

Good luck to everyone running their final run in the next few days - I am so happy and proud of myself and can’t wait for you guys to feel the same! It’s amazing! 🎓 🏃‍♀️ 😊

[Lorijay Graduate]

Congratulations, huge well done!! Lovely photo. Enjoy your celebration, well deserved 🍾🏃😊

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you 🙏 Lorijay

[Ripcurlrana71]

Woohoo Congrats!! Brilliant achievement. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🏃🏻‍♀️👩‍🎓

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thank you so much - your posts, support and comments have been invaluable

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Awww thank you. But you’re the one running out there as you’ve done amazingly! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[QueenTea Graduate]

Well done 🌟🎉🏆. Fantastic achievement & I love your running companion 🙂

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

Aw thank you - she’s a one off! Bless her lol 😂 🐕 🏃‍♀️

[Saartjie Graduate]

Ahh...well done. Amazing feeling isn't it? I love this programme and agree with everything you said...It's so supportive and we all carry each other along. Enjoy your 5k and the rest of your running 🏅🎉🍾 (ps. Well done to Dobby too!)

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

It really is so supportive - I’m not sure I’d have got through it without everyone on here! Thank you Saartjie and Dobby says thank you too! 😆 🐶 🙏 🏃‍♀️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Dizzysmum17]

😊

[Ang33333 Graduate]

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

😊 😊 🙏

[Ouching Graduate]

New shoes! Shopping and running oooh what a girls dream

Well done you

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Ouching]

Oh I know!! And thank you - well done to you too! We did it!! 🎓 😃 🏃‍♀️ 🎉

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Aw fabulous!! Well done to you and Dobby 👏👏👏 many congratulations to you both 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability! 👍😁 and your new shoes!!! 😉

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you GoGo_JoJo - from me and Dobby! I’m looking forward to new shoes and consolidation runs! 😊 😄 🏃‍♀️

[JanB76 Graduate]

Fantastic!! I’m nearing the magic 30min mark myself. The support this site offers is amazing. I’m sure I would have failed the programme again if it wasn’t for all the kind words on here.

Love your running buddy!! I’ve a lab x lurcher, who’s got plenty of speed in him but his nose is into everything so would be a bugger to run with 🤣🤣🤣

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to JanB76]

It’s amazing isn’t it! Lab x lurcher sounds lovely - Dobby tends to pull me across the road when she see cats, pigeons or squirrels so it’s not ideal but she’s mostly pretty good bless her! She’s getting better to be fair!

And I totally agree with you about the support! It’s ace isn’t it? Good luck with the rest of your runs - not long until you are up here with me! 🏃‍♀️ 😊 x

[PaulBrad Graduate]

Congratulations- that’s an awesome achievement- well done 👍🏻🎆👍🏻🎆

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to PaulBrad]

Thank you PaulBrad😉😊🏃🎉

[Fernshome]

Amazing very well done 😀 Dobby looks happy too! Remember his treat.... onwards and upwards

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Fernshome]

Thank you - she had a chicken strip and a walk with our other dog when I got back so she was happy! 😊😉🏃🏃‍♀️🐶

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Fantastic achievements! Well done on your successes & happy running 🎉👏🏻🙌🏼

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Thank you Tartiflette - happy running to you too

[Berksrover Graduate]

Congratulations, every time I see a new graduate posting it reminds me of the feeling I had when I graduated, so well done to you and thank you for bringing back that memory

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

Happy to help 😝 and thank you very much! 🙏

[snoopsaloops]

Fantastic work! And I love your dog's name.

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to snoopsaloops]

Aw thank you - she has the ears of Dobby the House Elf! 🐶 👂 😆

[AnnieHan Graduate]

Well done. I agree with all you said about the programme and the amazing support you get from this forum. Lovely photo. Well done Dobby. Looking forward to hearing how you get on in the 5K. Congratulations ! 😊👍👟

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to AnnieHan]

Thank you Annie - exciting times ahead! 😊 😃 🐶 🏃‍♀️🐶🎉🙏🎓

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

You don't need to apologise for the photo, it is not uncomfortable (perhaps except to you) Dobby the lurcher is a lovely dog and I am sure a great companion during your runs, congratulations on completing C25K

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you so much 🙏 😊 🏃‍♀️🐶🏃

[Kimterry Graduate]

Brilliant! Well done to you. Wishing you a very happy running journey 👍🏃🏽‍♀️🏅

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Kimterry]

Thank you Kimterry. 🏃‍♀️😊🙏🏃

[Teddly22 Graduate]

Congratulations to you! It is so inspiring to read the graduates stories! 🏆👏🏆🏃

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Teddly22]

Thanks loads Teddly22! Happy running to you! 🏃‍♀️🙏😊🏃😂

[Dralimc Graduate]

Amazing! Well done!!! 🏃🏻‍♀️🍾🏅

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Dralimc]

Thank you Alison. 🙏 🏃‍♀️😊🙏🎓

[Dralimc Graduate in reply to Dizzysmum17]

I really want to get up there now! 2 more runs to go! 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Dralimc]

Yeah, you can do it! You'll be great! x

[Crittermad Graduate]

👏👏👏 congratulations!

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Crittermad]

Thank you

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Brilliant! Well done! Lovely to see Dobby

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

Thank you - she is quite cute isn't she?!

[BlondeAmbition72 Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation! Awesome job! My W9 R3 graduation run will be the FROME 5K on Sunday - see you there! 😉👍😊

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate in reply to BlondeAmbition72]

Yes you will!! I won’t have the dog though haha!

[BlondeAmbition72 Graduate in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Lol!! 😊