Not why I started in the end

[Flowell]

I graduated last night but my post wouldn’t go through for some reason.

I started this whole thing after breaking my ankle last August. Once it fixed I suddenly wasn’t fit enough for my life. I started swimming at first. This was great to help start but it ruined my hair and skin, and I love swimming but I got bored of being wet all the time.

So my hairdresser was doing this and so I googled the distance from work to home and it was 5.3 k. I could do all my exercise without loosing any free time and commute three time a week for free.

So week9 run two arrives, I am only running 3k but if I run along the tube line I can hop on after half an hour.... it was a disaster. I wasn’t in my park or cemetery, there were... wait for it ... people. Worse. Tourists. Even worse. Phone zombies. It was like actual combat.

I was devastated. Almost 9 weeks of wasted time. Next day reality sorted itself out and the fact is there are new reasons I run. My hip that niggled if I walked too far no longer makes a peep. My hesitation about stairs from my break is but a memory. I am really flexible - I can touch my toes. I sleep better. My skin has weirdly got better. I haven’t lost weight but my body is a different shape but more importantly I have a skill I can now use to implement weight loss. In short I no longer feel trapped in a body that wasn’t able to cope and when I started I didn’t even know I felt like that for years.

So my graduation run last night wasn’t my commute. So what? I loved it. And I picked up coffee and a bag of carrots at the end, so I will never run out of things again. 😃

[telford_mike Graduate]

I know exactly what you mean about tourists - nightmare! But anyway, well done and give yourself a huge pat on the back for completing the programme. Step up onto the podium and get your graduation badge here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Good on you... I’m so glad I live in a town with absolutely nothing going on... no tourists lol

Running to work puts speed pressure on, whereas the coffee and carrots are in no rush.

Congratulations on the graduation.

[JoOnTheRun Graduate]

Huge congratulations! I really enjoyed reading your post, good luck with your future running 🏃🏼‍♀️

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎓🥂👌🏽

[Equi-geek Graduate]

👏👏🤣🍾🍾🍾🎓👍🎓👍 congratulations Flowell!! I was about to jump in after your comment about 9 weeks ‘wasted’ but you’d already realised what the real reward is 🤣. Thanks for the insight about no longer being trapped in an unwilling body - I’d not thought of it like that, but you are right! Happy 🏃‍♀️👋🤗

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Really fantastic post. Well done for finding your own way through. I've always maintained this programme is about so much more than learning (just) how to run!

Many congratulations 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability 👍😁