Dogs. Cows. Barbed wire and Graduation

[PollyThePlodder]

Well in April of this year I started this app after a long term injury. I found it difficult to run the 90seconds let alone even considering in such a short time I could achieve 30minutes straight. But here I am a graduate for the first time in my life.

Its not been easy, Ive whinged, Ive moaned and tried to find excuses of why I shouldnt go. I have two young kids and work shifts including nights.

My job is stressful at times and so I know I have to take care of my health and heart so I can watch my girls grow up. So by chance I saw this app being plugged on TV and I am so greatful I did.

My heartburn and acid reflux have become minimal my waist line has shrunk and I have so much more energy to play with my kids now.

So tonight I pulled on my trainers reluctantly but knowing I would feel so much better at the end. I put my fur nieces dog lead on and off we set.

I never thought running with a dog would slow me down but she was litterally on my heels trying to where my trainers.

Then we encountered cows along the river towpath that I run (someone had left their gate open), so I had to drop and roll under some barbed wire to get into the next field to them to get passed them, then drop to get back onto the path whilst trying to stop the dog from trying to square up to them. She did until one turned to her and she ran the quickest of both of us with tail between her legs... ha ha ha.

Onwards we went to my half way point then turn around back towards home. Only to do the assault course to pass the cows again.

But still no stopping and YES YES YES YES I completed W9 R3. With 4.7k under my belt.

Now to enjoy a week off for my family holiday and then to consolidate my time and push on a bit further.

Thanks to my friends and family for their support and also to this community for inspiring me.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Congratulations Polly!! Brilliant! Well done graduate!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎓🏆❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations... great work and another great run report

[DrNinja Graduate]

Fantastic! Well done you! Just completed week 3. Like you I didn’t think I could even run 90 seconds but I’ve done more. Can’t say I’m looking forward to week 6 but am determined to nail the next 2 weeks

[PollyThePlodder in reply to DrNinja]

This app is ace and will be preparing you all the way, its all about your mindset.

I panicked at week 5 at such a big jump in runnings times.

Someone gave me this good advice.

....think about R2. Two 8 mins runs and a brisk 5 min walk between. 21 mins constant activity.

R3 is only 20mins. Unless you had a lie down or stopped for a swift half on R2 you've already done R3.

Just a bit of biomechanics change. And that's not a problem if you take it slow.

Slow is your friend!!!.....

There will be times when you think you cant do it and you will want to stop, but you can do it. Just think for every step you now do and every little bit of jogging, you are going further than before you started this couch to 5k journey x

Good luck and enjoy your progress x

[SANDI_runs Graduate in reply to PollyThePlodder]

Great way of thinking about w5r3. Must admit as I come to the end of w4 I was already dreading the end of w5. Now it doesn't seem so bad 😊

[Crib Graduate]

Congratulations, well done 🎉🎉👏👏👏

[Gillma Graduate]

Great time, too - in spite of the livestock’s antics. I have dog envy and time envy...not cow roadblock envy. Go you, graduate!

[Richard7 Graduate]

Congratulations, don't forget to collect your graduation badge.

Sounds like a determined run getting past those cows, loving the roll under the fence part of your run - you should keep it in 😉

[PollyThePlodder in reply to Richard7]

The rolling around under barbed wirewas bizarre to say the least. Maybe i could build in some burpees to go with that soon ha ha.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Yes, week 9 run 3 in the bag, congratulations, Polly, but you are no longer plodding, you are now an official runner, you deserve that nice shiny badge, love the photos, you run in a nice area.

[PollyThePlodder in reply to AlMorr]

I live it the beautiful city of Hereford and our countryside is beautiful so it does make the run so much easier x

[Ang33333 Graduate]

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[Jelon Graduate]

Fab post congratulations graduate 👍🏻🙌🕶🌞