I came. I ran. I did it. I also lurked on this form

[Wimborne]

Thank you all for all the posts and much needed advice.

To be honest I started C25k on a whim as my other half started it. 2 of us started but only 1 of us finished. I have had one of my toughest years ever in life. Tried to start mindfulness to help but couldn’t sit still or switch off. Never believed running would become my own self support method. I have overcome my excuses of its too dark, it’s raining, my shoe laces are too tight to keep going, my hair is annoying me, I am too fat, I am too tired..... and for some reason I just kept going .... I have never achieved anything like this in my life before. I can’t tell you how much I found this forum a godsend. I have lurked for weeks and tried to reply and help others along the way. I wish I could have helped more.

To the admin and regular posters a huge big thank you. I owe you so much thanks.

To everyone running good luck. Enjoy the great runs and battle through those tough ones.

W9 r3 and 5k in 32.51 mins. I did it...... I really did do it........ and yes that’s me in my car hiding my bright red sweating face with fringe which has annoyed me every run scrapped back..... lol 😂

[molly1973 Graduate]

Congratulations!!

[Wimborne in reply to molly1973]

😊 thank you.

[steviej99 Graduate]

Great well done....don't stop now!!

[Wimborne in reply to steviej99]

Thank you 😊 determined not to stop now. Moving to treadmill next week and feeling positive about it. I will be queen treadmill.

[BargainRzl Graduate]

Congratulations!

Oh, the excuses... to be honest my body and my unconscious mind tried to wiggle their way out of it far more than my conscious mind did. The (regular, entirely psychosomatic) Achilles tendon ache the night before I was due a run. The (genuine) plantar fasciitis which had me hobbling around my flat which was absolutely fine as soon as I put my running shoes on. The (genuine) streaming cold which I came down with the day before W9R2 and still made myself power through. In the end I didn't let myself get away with anything - the only time I let myself put a run off until the next day was when I was all dressed and ready to go but realized my minor stomach upset WOULD cause disaster sometime in the next half an hour.

I was super-lucky with the weather, to be honest. Never once had to go out in proper rain. For my graduation run this morning I was particularly lucky, because it was mild and dry while I was out running, but by the time I'd showered and got dressed for work it was blustery with driving rain!

[Wimborne in reply to BargainRzl]

And massive congratulations to you. God my excuses are so whingey I am embarrassed 😳 I haven’t faced injury or illness. Greatest respect to you and well done.

[Liz5K Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎉 what a beautiful post. Sorry to hear it’s been a tough year, I’m so pleased finding this running challenge has helped. Something positive to focus on, what an achievement! Keep it up 😊

[Wimborne in reply to Liz5K]

Thank you so much for your kindness 😊 ‘ when life gives you lemons start running and keep running ‘ that’s my new life mantra. I also saw a poster and it said ‘ I have 99 problems to face but for the next hour I am going running.....’ 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations. You’ve had a tough year and you’re into the twilight of that year physically and mentally stronger than ever. All round great job... and congratulations on completing the 5k in a very impressive time. Have a good celebration and enjoy the post grad running.

[Wimborne in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you unfitnomore for everything. You are such a star 🌟 you have kept me company along the way and for that I thank you so much. Your kindness and motivation has been amazing. I hope others will find the same. Keep posting...... you don’t realise just how many people you have an impact on.

[MutleyShuffle Graduate]

Well done Wimborne! That's great that running has helped with the tough times in your life. As for annoying fringes, you could try a buff or headband - mine is called Morph and cost about £4 on eBay/Amazon. Does wonders for my silly half-grown-out fringe! Happy Running! 😁👍🏃🎉

[Wimborne in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thank you !!!!! Pesky fringes clips fall out........ I will certainly look at headbands or buff. Why didn’t I think of that sooner???? I looked at buffs but thought it was just for round your neck. God I am such a newbie. 😂

[MutleyShuffle Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

I only knew about buffs from seeing it on this forum - you will be amazed by all the things you never knew you needed but now you are a runner they are essential! 😁

[Oldlady57]

Congratulations!!! Fantastic achievement Wimborne 👏👏👏🎓🥇

[Wimborne in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you so much. T

[uncle_wiggy Graduate]

Huge congrats to you Wimborne, wonderful achievement & thoroughly well deserved. You've clearly gained both mentally and physically from this and long may it continue! Enjoy your celebrations confetti 🎊 🎉💐🏆👍

[Wimborne in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thank you.😀

[Whatnog]

Hi Wimborne, congratulations on your achievements! Finding the strength to keep up with your objective despite the high year makes it even more brilliant!!! Your post is an inspiration for all of us and a great reminder to never give up! Thanks and enjoy the celebration 🎉 🎊👏🏆

[Wimborne in reply to Whatnog]

😀 thank you.

[DoozerMcDooze Graduate]

Nice one

[Wimborne in reply to DoozerMcDooze]

Thanks. 😀

[DeepiM Graduate]

Huge congrats! I did my Wk9 R3 this morning but haven’t made it to 5k yet. Gonna take all the advice from earlier in the week and do some more consolidation runs to get to 5k and work on pace before looking beyond that.

[Wimborne in reply to DeepiM]

Hi. Congratulations to you too. I wasn’t set on doing 5k but I realised it wasn’t that far away. I will stick to 30 mins too. I think that’s about my limit. 🙂

[Dragonflies Graduate]

Fantastic achievement, congratulations 🎉

Hold onto that good feeling it has given you , you so deserve it 🤸‍♀️👏🤸‍♀️👏🤸‍♀️

[Wimborne in reply to Dragonflies]

Thank you. ☺️

[sHAYM4N Graduate]

Massive well done & love the post! Running is defo great for both the mind & body. Any plans on what to do next? You're not looking too far away from that 5k in the 30 mins! 😁

[Wimborne in reply to sHAYM4N]

Thank you 😊 I think I will stick with 30 mins and slowly aim for 5k. Moving onto treadmill next week as I can’t do usual run in dark. I run around a common buts it’s just too spooky in the dark. Tried road running but knees hate the roads. So will master treadmill and just keep running ....... 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️😀

[Wimborne in reply to sHAYM4N]

Meant to add Good luck too. I see you are a massive walker and hiker too. Big respect to you. Take it easy on those legs that you don’t wear them out ! And there’s me feeling chuffed getting out 3 times a week 😂...... seriously I am such a wimp .....

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Well done! Massive achievement! Love the photo too 👍

[Wimborne in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you 😂 not one of my best photos but hid well.