I am over the moon with what I have achieved in such a short period of time!
Recap: Never managed to get into running, as a child or an adult, the bright tomato face at school within minutes. Beat breast cancer a few years ago, all the treatments thrown at me. As you can see in the picture, no more tomato face! This was taken during my cool down walk.
In fact, part of my C5K running route is where I used to walk, very slowly on shaky legs with a friend. Every tiny incline was like moving against a wall and it used to utterly exhaust me.
It has made this journey extra special, and helped me feel strong and empowered. There are lots of stressful things going on in my life, but running has been, and will continue to be, my vent and stress-buster and help me get through this phase, Iβm sure.
This forum has been a tremendous support, the wealth of experience and the fantastic cheering on that I have had, and the lovely friendships that I have made.
This is just the beginning of my new life as a runner! πββοΈ
Written by
Dragonflies
Graduate
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63 Replies
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Well done you! What an inspiration you are. You look chuffed to bits and quite right too! Great achievement! πββοΈ
Congratulations Dragonflies!!!! Looking at your happy smile and reading your post has made my eyes watery!! Such an inspiration! Keep running, keep smiling!!! π
Thank you Whatnog π. Admittedly, my eyes were very watery and runny for most of this run. Not sure it was the wind chill factor or emotions, probably a bit of both π
Thank you ForeverYoung, and a massive congratulations to you too on graduating today! I look forward to hearing about your future running journey πππ
What a journey youβve been on... and what a amazing start with your new running future! It must feel incredible to see your strength build like that, you can clearly see how far youβve come!
Iβve really enjoyed reading your posts and watching your journey progress.
Thank you so much ThunderSloth! As you know I am in your fan club and I look forward to every single one of your posts, love your writing, your humour and your progress! Thanks for cheering me on π
Thatβs really kind Dragonflies, Iβve really enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture moments in writing, Iβm a graphic designer / illustrator by trade, so my experience is in visual communication. Iβve enjoyed attempting to paint a picture with words! By the way... Iβm in the Dragonflies fan club ππ
Congratulations βGraduateβ another huge achievement!!! Fab photo of a very happy smiley face, love it!!! Go celebrate, youβve worked hard for this ππππππ₯π
Congratulations on your graduation! What a fantastic experience after your previous adversity. So pleased it helps and you feel more empowered to cope with everything life throws at you. Very inspiring ππͺ
Huge congratulations Dragonflies, great to see that smile and remember this is just the start of your running journey! πππββοΈπββοΈπΎπΎ
Congratulations. Youβre amazing, you can achieve anything, youβve beaten a lot and you just did what was impossible as a child... go you! Enjoy celebrating and your next runs.
I felt like a kid in a gift shop when I received my graduation badge πππ
What an inspiring post! Iβm so pleased for you. The feeling strong and empowered bit resonates with me too. Congratulations and welcome to the graduate club! πππ
I'm still on Week 8 as was struck down with the lurgy. I've really missed running which I never thought I'd say! What are you going to do now you've graduated?
Sorry you have been unwell. I will do consolidation runs for a couple of weeks, carrying on with my knee strengthening exercises and set off to a park run sometime later next month. For now I am very happy with 5k, which I am close to completing in 30 minutes, so I want to have a go at a 5k race plan and do some races next year.
Huge well done Dragonflies. Loved your really inspiring post. Hope you enjoy running as a graduate. Itβs a really great feeling to just lace up and go!
Thank you! What an inspiration. Like you I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found even going up the stairs challenge. I took up C25k last year but life got in the way and I didn't complete it. I would love to experience the high of running! Guess the only thing stopping me is me! Hope you go from strength to strength! Well done
Thank you Albarron. It does take quite a while to build up your strength again and trust me, there has been many stop-starts of various exercise regimes. For example, since recovery from cancer I have tried starting running twice before I started C5K this year. I also underestimated how much it hit me mentally and I still donβt feel on top of things they way I used to. Just like with C5K you just have to keep chipping away at it - that is why, and not until now, that I feel stronger, both physically and mentally, thanks to finally getting into running. Donβt give up. I am sure you can find a way. Remember most ways are not straight but winding and narrow.
ππ€Έπ€Έππππ Huge congratulations Dragonflies! So so pleased for you!!!! Enjoy your day and revel in your fantastic achievement!!! Keep posting!!
I am so happy to see your graduation post Dragonflies, your journey goes far beyond running 5k & it's wonderful to see that smile. We're all very very proud of you! ππͺππππ₯
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