So yesterday I completed week 9 run 3 so have now graduated. This is my first time posting on this forum but I have read and followed others journeys and been motivated loads by the things I have read on here.
So I thought I would share my story.
Bearing down on my 45th birthday and very overweight (6 foot and 23 and half stone) I thought it was about time I got fit and shed some pounds. I had been a bit of a runner in the past doing 5k a few times a week but work and life had got in the way of that and then running had become difficult because of the strain it put on my knees. So I downloaded the app, bought a phone holder and set off. Here’s some of the things that I have thought about during my 9 weeks.
• Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. Initially I was self-aware and worried that people may look and laugh at the fat man running, but do you what, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t start running for others, I did it for me!
• Don’t use the scales, use your clothes. I have lost a lot of weight. But the main thing I feel is that I am so much more comfortable in my clothes. I have gone up notches in my belt, my trouser waists are inches smaller and I can fit into clothes I haven’t worn in years!
• Don’t get ahead of yourself. The app is designed to get you running 30 mins nonstop in nine weeks. In the early stages I stuck to the plan and resisted going out on consecutive days. In week 8 I made the mistake of doing runs 2&3 in consecutive days and this was a mistake. My knees started playing up I had to have extra days’ rest before moving on. Stick to it don’t be tempted to move on too quickly even if you do think you are capable.
• Don’t panic! I think it was in week 3 that I had a moment of panic because surely I had run 3 minutes (it felt like 10!) and Laura hadn’t told me to stop. Was my phone out of battery? Had I paused the app somehow? When will this end? I can’t breathe……………
Just stay calm and breathe!
• Don’t worry about the 5k. I have finished the programme but I am still a little short on distance within the 30 minutes. Currently I am doing about 4.5K in the 30mins and I don’t beat myself up about this.
So that’s it, 9 weeks done, some good runs, some horrendous runs, but I was never beaten by them and although it’s been really hot and I need to ice my knees after most runs I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Wherever you are in the programme I salute you!!
I have done it! Graduation Baby!!
complete,finished,done it!!!
OMG I’ve done it!! 
That's it!
I’ve made it real! I’ve joined Strava! 
