W9R3... lose yourself

[Rooster678]

I did it!!!! 30 mins of consecutive running on my last run, how on earth have I managed this? I'm still in shock.

It was cold this morning, I wish I'd worn my gloves but too late, this run had started. I used the time to listen to my new play list but also think about how far I've come in 9 weeks, from no running to running a whole 30 minutes.

Halfway bell rang, oh I will miss you Laura, we have a final 15 minutes together. 10, 5, 60 seconds. A last effort sprint with tired legs and it was all over. Oh my goodness the tears, I did it! Strategically played Eminem "Lose Yourself" to cross that 30 minute finish line in style. Oh yes!

Got home to find some extra lights on and heard little people giggling in the kitchen. "She's back!" I heard loudly whispered 😆

In the kitchen I find my husband and two boys (4&8) waving random Thomas the Tank Engine and NFL flags, cheering loudly. "Well done Mummy!". More tears.

I was presented with a pot of tea and cold marmalade toast. Love my family, and love this programme. This is the start of something bigger for me and with all the support I've received on here I've achieved something completely out of my comfort zone - so thank you so much 😀

Now to find the grad badge stall...

[Johnnylewis Graduate]

Well done. The feeling is amazing when you stop running for the last run. Have a lovely weekend and tell everyone

[Rooster678 in reply to Johnnylewis]

Thanks Johnnylewis! I DID tell EVERYONE, even those I didn't know! I've been bursting with pride all day!!

[Whatnog]

Ooooohhhh! So nice!!! Congratulations, you graduate!!! 🎊🏃🏽‍♀️🏅

Thanks for sharing this moment with us! You must have felt great and soooo proud, lovely to have all your boys cheering for you!!

[Rooster678 in reply to Whatnog]

Thank you Whatnog, my family have been very supportive, particularly my husband who has worked around me some days so I can get my run done. It feels fantastic to have completed this amazing programme, I'm recommending it to everyone!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

A brilliant post.

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

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

Another life changed.......

To get your badge leave a message on the October graduation post , in the pinned posts on the right hand side.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Rooster678 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you IannodaTruffe, on a personal level too, you've been amazing and supportive with my every post, I've felt very well looked after.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations! Great reception to come home to... enjoy celebrating today. Have fun on the rest of your running journey.

[Rooster678 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you UnfitNoMore, your posts have been so supportive and inspiring. Thanks for picking me up when I've had a bad experience.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Rooster678]

No worries, it’s what we do... I got so inspired when I was out injured... this place rocks.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeayayayayyay Hooray for you... what a great pikkie and a great post

The podium awaits and the best bit.. we are all there cheering you! The next best bit...this goes on.

For now enjoy the fun and very well done!

What a lovely family and what a great start to your day... and yes...I am in tears with you! Wonderful xxx

[Rooster678 in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss, you've been fab, thank you for your support. Always replied when I've had questions, you made it so much easier.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh wow Rooster, you did it, and I felt emotional reading your description and returning to you wonderful family! ❤️❤️

Brilliant achievement! You’ve come so far and deserve to feel proud all day/weekend! Don’t forget to claim your badge from the link on the pinned post. It’ll suit you! And 🥂 a toast to you too!

Well done! 🎉🎉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🍾🍾👍👍👏👏

[Rooster678 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you cheekychipmunks, I just got my grad badge, wearing it with pride. I worked hard for that! Thank you for your support!

[AmandaButterfly Graduate]

Wow this is incredible to read and so motivating when I started I could not imagine I’d get to the end but week 5 and I’m starting to believe in myself

Your post reflects what a physical, mental and emotional journey we are all on and I’m definitely going to be completely emotional when I get to the end

Congratulations on your graduation 👩‍🎓 🏃‍♀️

[Rooster678 in reply to AmandaButterfly]

Thank you AmandaButterfly, it's definitely emotional and I'm not an emotional person but the pride I felt accomplishing something I never thought I would completely threw me. I'm chuffed to pieces and have smiling all day.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations Rooster and what a great surprise from your supportive family. Step on that podium and enjoy the celebrations .

🏃‍♀️👏👏👏🍾🥂🎓💫⭐️

[Rooster678 in reply to Dexy5]

I'm on Dexy5, just received my grad badge. Thank you for your support.

[Oldlady57]

Congratulations Rooster 🐓. Fab achievement, go celebrate you graduate!! 🥇🎓🎉🥂👏👏👏

[Rooster678 in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you Oldlady61, I'm relieved but also sad that Laura has left me but she's going on to help others complete this brilliant programme. It's one of the best things I have ever done and it'll make a positive difference to my life. Thanks for your pick-me-up posts.

[Liz5K Graduate]

Well done. What a brilliant celebration to come back to too 🎉

[Rooster678 in reply to Liz5K]

Thank you Liz5K, yes it was a surprise, I hope I've set an example to my kids - now to teach them to make hot toast!

[lusmo Graduate]

Big, big congratulations!!!

[Rooster678 in reply to lusmo]

Thank you lusmo, I feel great!

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate]

I love this post! Well done, you! Not sure my family will be quite as excited for me on a Sunday (fingers crossed). You have done brilliantly. Well done!

[Rooster678 in reply to SubterraneanAlien]

Thank you SubterraneanAlien, it did help being a work day. Good luck with your run, I've been following your progress.

[Dragonflies Graduate]

Victorious Rooster 🐓, you did it!!! 👏👏👏 Well done, what a wonderful start to the day and end of the working week. Hope someone is cooking you dinner tonight 🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[Rooster678]

Thank you Dragonflies, no such luck, I married a man who doesn't cook but there is chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert! I'll be having a decent slice of that tonight.

[Marcia-H Graduate]

Awe such a lovely post!!! And your little people surprising you too!!!

Congratulations you've done amazing!!! It's true what you said, in 9 weeks you can do amazing things and change your life and crucially influencing the little people too 🤗. Good luck with the future runs and enjoy your cake 😜

[Rooster678 in reply to Marcia-H]

Thank you my fellow runner. Hope to read more posts from you. What are your plans?

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to Rooster678]

Nothing as of yet-poorly babies so not been for a run since graduation but I want to get faster and complete 5k in a good time! What about you?

[Rooster678 in reply to Marcia-H]

Hey Marcia, sorry to hear of your poorly little ones. Hope they're better soon, lots of bugs about at the moment, lots of kids and parents in our school have been ill this last week.

Have done 2 post grad runs of 30 mins, distance creeping up, at 3.78k this morning. My friend has made me plan for a December parkrun so that's on the horizon. I reckon at my current pace it will take me 37 mins to run 4k and walk the last. Not changing my 30 min run plan until I can do 5k.

Hope to hear of your next running adventure soon 😀

[Marcia-H Graduate in reply to Rooster678]

Sounds sensible and how I imagine I will do it too! We're getting better thanks, just wee Vincent that's still a poor thing. Looking forward to getting back on it!

[SOULY47 Graduate]

Amazing. Love your post. We are runners

[Rooster678]

Thanks Souly47, yes we are!