Yes!

Final run today and I had planned to take it easy and enjoy myself now I have the 5K under my belt. After a couple of minutes my route began to climb and I felt myself flagging. Then it got steeper and I realised I just wasn't going to make it, which was a shame on my last run! So after about 5 minutes total I stopped and walked, starting the full 30 minutes run again on more appropriate (for me) terrain.

I ran through the Hermitage, a place I used to go to with my kids, now with my grandson and walking with friends. There was a slight drizzle and I felt great! Bothered by a dog and stopping to shout at it's owners put me off my stride and I slowed right down as I decided whether to risk another encounter with them on the return or to continue the loop on the road.

I took the road and sped up, finding as usual that the second 15 minutes was much easier than the first. My run ended with three circuits of the duck pond - amazing to think that now I can do these after running so far! Mapping my run when I got home it came to 5K!

Not sure where to go next, whether to run for longer or to stay with the 30 minutes and increase my speed. Or to learn to run uphill! Whatever I choose, it's been great to relearn how to run in my sixties!

I'm so glad I did this! Thanks so much to my lovely daughter for the encouragement and the shoes, to my friends for their support and to you guys for helping me along the way and sharing your experiences. Enjoy your runs and the fitness you gain from them.

[kickibro Graduate]

Great job. Congratulations on completing the plan too. I am repeating the plan after a break from running but when I finished the plan initially, I downloaded the podcasts 'Stepping Stones,' etc. There's 3 of them. Sorry, I cannot remember the names of them but if you search for C25K+ podcasts you should be able to find them. One of the podcasts focuses on speed play or fartlek, the other on slowly increasing speed, etc. I felt a bit lost after completing the plan first time round, and just generally lacked direction with no clear goal. These podcasts were great.

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to kickibro]

Yes I’ve done them and they are really a brilliant way to improve strength, speed and stamina. I’m still using them, but then carry on running through the 5 minute cool down walk and more if I feel like it. Next stop Bridge to 10k and Parkruns. Happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ 🌻

[Hidden in reply to kickibro]

Thanks, great advice. Hope you continue to enjoy running.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Fabulous 👏👏👏 congratulations to you 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability 👍😁

[Hidden in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you!

[telford_mike Graduate]

Congratulations! Step up onto the podium and get your shiny badge here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Hidden in reply to telford_mike]

Thank you!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations. Wherever you go with you’re running have a lot of fun.

[Crawlhome Graduate]

Congratulations, hopefully you feel amazing!

I'm not quite graduated but highly recommend a parkrun to get used to running a 5k in a friendly atmosphere.

Happy running!!

[Hidden in reply to Crawlhome]

Thank you, good advice,