Just one run to go ...... 🏃‍♀️😀🏃‍♀️😀🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks]

Penultimate run today and it went well! Alien conditions, ie raining a little and moderately cool, and it was most welcome! My first run like that since starting the programme in mid-June!

My 30 minutes felt good! I might have been a baby snail’s pace quicker than R1, but I’m not fooling myself - I’m never going to be speedy! But I did it. Breathing felt good again, legs were tired but not total jelly and yes, I could have run (slowly) on. 😀

So Friday will be the day touch wood. Hope there’s a place on the podium for a middle aged snail with a silly grin, and possibly some proud tears in her eyes! 👍🏻🐌

I’ve LOVED this journey, and you guys have helped me along the way! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you fellow runners! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Hotheels Graduate]

Look how far you've come!!!

You're running in familiar AND alien conditions.....you're excited and upbeat about every run......you give it your ALL!!!

Be VERY proud!!!!

Go own it on, Friday!!! Shed those tears, give a twirl, take a bow.....you have arrived!!!!👊👊👊👍👍👍😁😁😁

#Snailqueen👑🐌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

Thank you for your lovely words! I’m so incredibly proud and also flabbergasted how far this programme has taken me - and all of us!

We are runners! 💪🏻🏃‍♀️🐌🏃‍♂️👍🏻❤️😀

[shakdang Graduate]

Go go go!!

Yes the weather is a bit strange, it started raining yesterday when I was out and the humidity just made my run worse .. I was pouring sweat! a bit of cool weather will indeed be very welcome.

Good luck for Friday, happy running!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to shakdang]

Thank you! Yes the humidity yesterday was hideous, and all I was doing was walking my dog! I love this cool weather, but also realise I need to get some more ‘cooler weather’ running gear!

🏃‍♀️😀❤️

[Beanjo Graduate]

Yay- penultimate run- how good does that feel!!!! Well done- think you’ll beat me to the podium by a day but no doubt we’ll both have silly grins. Well done you 👍👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

Don’t worry, Beanjo, I’ll save you a place on the podium. I won’t be leaving it any time soon, so I’ll see you there. I’ll be the 🐌 basking in her glory whilst grinning from ear to ear!

Good luck with your remaining runs. You know you’ve got this! 🏃‍♀️💪🏻👍🏻🙌

[Beanjo Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks- as have you. See you on the podium 😊🍾👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

You betchya! 😀😀

[Ab36 Graduate]

Amazing, well done....looking forward to your Friday post!!😉

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Ab36]

Haha, yes there’ll definitely be a Friday post, quite possibly with a ridiculous grinny photo!

Thank you for the encouragement! I can’t wait! 😆😆❤️❤️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

Woohoo you go for it and let those happy tears flow, I get emotional myself just thinking about being where you are right now. There’s a LOT of happy snails on here all rooting for you. 🏃🏽‍♀️🏅🐌🏅🏃🏽‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Awwww Pigginanna, thank you! ❤️ It does mean a lot having people encouraging you along the way. What an amazing community this is, and what a clever programme getting 🐌🐌🐌’s running and loving it!

Happy running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️❤️❤️

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Bravo. 👏👏👏

You are right not to worry about your pace - lots of us have found that we slowly get faster as we continue running after graduating. In 8 weeks I’ve knocked over 7 minutes off my 4k and over 5 minutes off my 5k pace.

Enjoy the run on Friday - it’ll be one you remember.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thank you Jay! That’s encouraging to know. I’m sure to have lots of questions about how to gradually speed up eventually. 🏃‍♀️🐌🏃‍♀️

Yes, I want to savour my graduation run. I’m thinking about it all the time and absolutely can’t wait!

Eeeekkkk!! 🏃‍♀️😆🏃‍♀️🐌❤️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I won’t be able to answer those questions - I’ve just gone out and run each time and come back with that result!

Continued weight loss and regular running seems to just magically cut my times!

[JoPo48 Graduate]

Oh wow, what a wonderful feeling that is! Well done. You're almost there. x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to JoPo48]

Thank you. It really is a wonderful feeling! One I can’t believe I’m having either. It just shows you that if you follow the advice of all the sage folks on here, and follow the programme without cheating, it works! 🏃‍♀️👍🏻😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Snail is such a good metaphor for what we are doing, an animal that slow really has to want to be where it’s going!

Cooler weather here for a while hopefully... enjoy that last run on Friday, we’ll all be cheering you on.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Totally! No way could I keep up with 95% of the people I see out running each time. Being a 🐌 allows me to run whilst enjoying it. It’s the best advice out there, alongside having rest days!

We are all very very clever! 🙌🙌🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

*goosebumps* Eeeek! That's all ~ just Eeeek!! 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

I knoowwwwww! It seems silly, but running really has taken over my life! And I can’t believe I’m saying that! 😅😅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Flaraflarkin Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I get it 😊

[Mashedpotato]

This is amazing cheekychipmunks. I remember when you started and how we were both worried about week three. Look how much has changed.

So happy to see you get to graduation. Hope to be a couple of weeks behind you, sadly had to stop running because of an injury, but so excited to see that someone who was at the same stage as me in the beginning is now graduating.

Run chipmunk run 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Mashedpotato]

Ahhh thank you Mashedpotato! Yes I remember us on W3 too - it seemed so far to run *without stopping*!! 😳

Are you able to get back to running soon? I really hope your injury isn’t serious - and when you’re back to it, you’d better know l’ll be right there cheering you on! 😀😀

Thanks for all the support! This forum makes it all the more fun! 😀🏃‍♀️❤️🐌

[Mashedpotato in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thankfully the injury isn’t serious, I kept making it worse by trying to go out running when I shouldn’t have done so it took a lot longer than it should.

I was just so excited to get back out there and start running again. How are you feeling now you have one run left? Just curious do you know how far you are running?

I honestly love this forum and it’s definitely made me keep going when previously I would have given up

Cheering you on for Friday 😊😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Mashedpotato]

Great news that you’re on the mend. What week/run did you reach? Do you think you’ll be able to continue where you left off? Apparently it takes a while to lose the fitness you’ve achieved.😀

It feels surreal to have reached this far I have to say. Me, 54 years old, 5’3, running for 30 minutes and loving it?! How did that happen??!! 😅

I’m such a snail though. According to MapMyRun I ran (snailed) 3.57km this morning, so a way off the 5k - but who cares? I will reach it one day! 🐌🐌🐌

Can’t wait for you to be back out there. You know you have loads of supporters to cheer you on!

😀😀

[Mashedpotato in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I managed to get to W7R2 which is so frustrating because the end was nearly in sight. I’m hoping I can pick up from there - fingers crossed. Going to try on Friday first thing - probably when you are doing your graduation run 😊

Running and loving it! I definitely know that feeling - would not have believed you 9 weeks ago if you said those same words to me. Only one run left on the program! That sounds surreal too

I’m a snail too! And especially in this weather, I think once it cools down then everything will improve. we can be snails together 🐌 🐌

I was running around 3k in week 7 so I think I’m a similar pace. I’m glad in a way it doesn’t get you to 5k because then you can keep going and have another goal to reach 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Mashedpotato]

I’m sure you’ll be able to pick it up again no problem. Just snail away a step at a time the first time out and see how it feels.

There will be another snail here cheering you on!

Good luck! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🐌🐌😀😀

[Crawlhome Graduate]

Sounds like a great run and well done for your amazing progress in the last two months.

Enjoy resting those legs before your graduation run. You've got this! 😁😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Crawlhome]

Thanks so much Crawlhome! I’m 100% certain that without this programme and all you lovely people, there’s no way I’d have got this far. Probably not much further than W2 actually. Structure and friendly advice is what I needed ..... and this has given both to me. 🏃‍♀️😀

Can’t believe how much progress we’ve all made. All us new runners! 🙌💪🏻🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️❤️

[bonny_lass Graduate]

Well done. Looks like we will be graduating at the same time then. I just finished my run and is all ready for the final one. Can't wait. Good luck for you too.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to bonny_lass]

Yay, bonny_lass! Let’s run over the finish line hand-in-hand! How exciting this all is - and well done to you for getting this far too! 😀🙌👊❤️

[bonny_lass Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yeah, let's do it. Are you planningto run on Friday too? I still can't believe I am running 30 mins and the biggest achievement. Tc.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to bonny_lass]

Yes, I’ll be going out around 7.30am and I really can’t wait! What about you? 🏃‍♀️😀

[bonny_lass Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You will be graduating before me as I will be running around 10am. All the very best and let's celebrate soon 🎉🎊😀🏃‍♀️

[Jundal Graduate]

Well done cheeky, sounds like a good run! I shall be graduating Friday morning, and I'll be up there on the podium with you! Well done you! 🍾🍾🍺🍺

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Jundal]

Well done you too Jundal! Let’s hop up on that podium on Friday with pride! It’ll seem weird going ‘off piste’ next week, but I’m planning to keep MJ and W9 with me a bit longer.

Let’s pop those celebratory beverages on ice and go and smash this! 🥂🍻🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👊

[Jundal Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🐢🐢🐢🍻💪🙏

[Hidden]

Sending good vibes Chip! Enjoy your Graduation Run 🏃‍♀️ You’ve been so supportive of me so thanks and don’t forget a graduation photo 👍🏻😃

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Vernon! It’s an extra boost having all the support on here and everyone is so supportive and friendly! I’m always more than happy to return the favour as I know how it makes me feel. ❤️

Graduation pic will be forthcoming, possibly to be mistaken for a tomato 🍅 however! 😳

Happy running! 😀😀😀

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Hope the final run goes well! 😁😁😁🐌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Thanks so much Ang! Very excited for it! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Emmajane71 Graduate]

Enjoy your graduation run! You clever chipmunk you! Be joining you Saturday morning (all being well). Run happy! 🏃‍♀️🌞

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Emmajane71]

Thank you so much! 😀😀

I’m soo excited about tomorrow. I’m meeting a friend for lunch and wondering what to have for optimum performance for my run! Ridiculous I know!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Emmajane71]

Oh, and massive luck to you too Emmajane! Graduation pics required don’t forget! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💪🏻💪🏻

[Emmajane71 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I best make the effort to put a bit of mascara on then! 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Emmajane71]

I will too, except if I blub (and I might!), it’ll look a mess!! 😅😅

[Emmajane71 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂 I'm sure you'll be so overwhelmed you care! (Quickly buy a waterproof one!)

[Hidden]

well done you and good luck!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. Wonderful support on here, without which I almost certainly wouldn’t have got this far. 😀😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️❤️❤️

[cheeseheads]

congrats 1 left to go. i love those rainy and cool runs myself. So peaceful and it keeps me cooled off. Well get those tissues ready

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to cheeseheads]

Thanks! I’ve got butterflies this evening. What has running done to me? 😅🏃‍♀️🐌

[Mayanow]

well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know i will have tears in my eyes on graduation. What a moment! Indulge!