Week 9 Run 3 x 2!

[Jandys]

My third run in week 9 coincided with my first park run. When my son and I started C25K, our goal was to run a park run together before he went back to uni (which he did yesterday). So full of trepidation we rocked up on Saturday morning to be greeted by over 400 other runners of all different ages and abilities. I knew it would be a tough run for me because I run really slowly and although I had run for 30 minutes twice before, I hadn’t got anywhere near the 5k mark. Consequently, I did walk for some of the way, but I finished and achieved my goal of not being last 😂 But I didn’t feel I had graduated ‘properly’ and so this morning I set out to do run 3 again. This time I run uninterrupted for 30 minutes and achieved my best run yet in terms of time. My aim now is to slowly inch toward running for the whole of that five kilometres. It’s been a journey - physically, mentally and emotionally - but I finally can call myself ‘a runner’. Thanks Couch to 5K and thank you to everyone who’s given me support and encouragement on the forum. And finally, I’d like to acknowledge the fact that I embarked on the programme as a result of losing my Mum in April this year. Her death left me feeling very low and the C25K gave me a new challenge to focus on, a recognition that life is for living and a reminder that you’re never too old to try something new ... and succeed!

[steviej99 Graduate]

Inspiring post. Keep up the great running!!

[Jandys Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Thank you steviej99

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations and well done Jandys. 🏃‍♀️🏅🏆🥂🍾👏👏

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you Dexy5

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations! Very inspiring stuff. I just read you profile... what next? Your son had an idea 😱

Enjoy your evening celebrating.

[Jandys Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UnfitNoMore. Not sure what my next challenge will be, but it definitely WON’T be running a marathon 😂

[Katnap Graduate in reply to Jandys]

Half marathon? 😸

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Katnap]

😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Inspirational..huge well done You!

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Jandys Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks IannodaTruffe!

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate]

Congratulations. You’ve achieved something amazing. Well done for taking on this challenge and beating it.

[Jandys Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

Thank you ItstheMarchHare

[Deals1 Graduate]

Well done!!!

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deals1

[Katnap Graduate]

Brilliant news! Keep doing what you're doing.

Stay in touch with the forums and maybe new inspiration will come.

😸👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟😸

[Oldjigger]

Well done. The beauty of Parkrun is it's all about doing what you can - no pressure except what you choose to put on yourself, so relax and enjoy your runs! It also seems like a pretty good philosophy of life, to me. Good luck with wherever you choose to go from here (5K feels like enough to me!)

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Oldjigger]

Thanks Oldjigger! I agree with you about park run. We were made to feel really welcome and although there were plenty of faster and more experienced runners, it isn’t at all elitist. Looking forward to running again this coming Saturday 😊

[Agelesslass]

So very pleased for you and sorry for the loss of your mum. Running is a great way to handle your grief or any other mental anguish, it has certainly helped me with my health anxiety. Keep running Jandys, well done.

[Jandys Graduate in reply to Agelesslass]

Thank you Agelesslass! It’s magic, isn’t it 😉 All the best to you.

[OKES Graduate]

Congratulations- it’s a fabulous achievement- well done !! All you have to do now is pick your next challenge 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jandys Graduate in reply to OKES]

Thank you OKES. A bit of consolidation first, I think. 😊