I’m a graduate 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️💪

[Dragonflies]

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, I’m 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! 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

Well done you! What an inspiration you are. You look chuffed to bits and quite right too! Great achievement! 🏃‍♀️

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Totally chuffed!

[Grandadmike Graduate]

Fantastic feeling isn’t it ? Well done to you !

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Grandadmike]

Thank you, great feeling!

[Whatnog]

Congratulations Dragonflies!!!! Looking at your happy smile and reading your post has made my eyes watery!! Such an inspiration! Keep running, keep smiling!!! 😃

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Whatnog]

Thank you Whatnog 🙏. 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 😉

[steviej99 Graduate]

Brilliant, inspiring, well done you

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Thank you 🙏

[jayval70]

You are such an inspiration. And you are hardly red at all!! Congratulations. Enjoy your graduation day 🎓🎓🎓

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to jayval70]

Thank you 🙏 I will!

[ForeverYoung21 Graduate]

Amazing story, well done you! Such a massive achievement!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to ForeverYoung21]

Thank you ForeverYoung, and a massive congratulations to you too on graduating today! I look forward to hearing about your future running journey 👏👏👏

[Hidden]

Hooray! 🙌🤩 😁🔥💥⭐️⭐️⭐️

Your lovely big smile says it all Dragonflies!

What a journey you’ve 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 you’ve come!

I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts and watching your journey progress.

HUGE WELL DONE DRAGONFLIES! xXx 😘

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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 😁

[Hidden in reply to Dragonflies]

That’s really kind Dragonflies, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture moments in writing, I’m a graphic designer / illustrator by trade, so my experience is in visual communication. I’ve enjoyed attempting to paint a picture with words! By the way... I’m in the Dragonflies fan club 😉😁

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Hidden]

And we are both in the graduate club now!!!

[Oldlady57]

Congratulations “Graduate” another huge achievement!!! Fab photo of a very happy smiley face, love it!!! Go celebrate, you’ve worked hard for this 👏👏👏👏🎓🥇😊

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you so much Oldlady! Your comments of encouragement have helped me a lot, and your inspirational progress. Thank you 🙏 😁

[Samarika Graduate]

...Congratulations 😊👟🏆

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Samarika]

Thank you Samarika! I hope to follow in your footsteps and tackle a Parkrun sometime next month after consolidation 😁

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate]

Hooray! Well done! Bet you feel fab now, don't you? Enjoy your graduation day!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to SubterraneanAlien]

Thank you SA, it wasn’t my easiest run if I am honest, but I feel fab all the same 😁

[molly1973 Graduate]

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 👍💪

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thank you Molly, and glad your knee is on the mend.

[Wimborne]

Big Congratulations. Brilliant just brilliant. You are so a runner 🏃🏼‍♀️. Happy running graduation 👩‍🎓 day to you.

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

Thank you so much Wimborne, hope you are still feeling high after your own graduation a couple of days ago 😁

[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.

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much for all the fantastic advice and wisdom you impart to all of us novices here on the forum 🙏

[Crawlhome Graduate]

Huge congratulations Dragonflies, great to see that smile and remember this is just the start of your running journey! 😁😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🍾🍾

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Crawlhome]

Oh yes, it so is just the start, exciting!

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Woo hoo x great job Dragonflies 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

Thank you Jogunlikely, it won’t be too long before you join me on the podium, keep all the good work going 🏃‍♀️👏🏃‍♀️

[paul1960 Graduate]

well done

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to paul1960]

Thank you Paul, I wish you well on your continued running journey 🏃‍♂️

[kwell39 Graduate]

Way to go and much praise for graduating! Cheers!! 🎉🎉👏🏻👏🏻

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to kwell39]

Thank you Kwell 😁

[Hidden]

Amazing achievement Dragonflies! Well done you!🙌

Your smile is beautiful, & you look so proud! Gorgeous pic! 🤩

You truly are an inspiration, you’ve had such a journey... but look at you now! 💛

I really admire you Dragonflies! Onwards & upwards from here!

Happy graduation! 💪🤩🙌🏅👌

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words Dreams79. You are not far behind me, I look forward to seeing you on the podium soon 😁

[Nift Graduate]

Well done you....you’re a star....enjoy your hard-earned success, and accept thanks for inspiring others.

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Nift]

Thank you Nift for your kind words. I see that congratulations are in order for you too! Well done! 👏👏👏🏅

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations. You’re amazing, you can achieve anything, you’ve beaten a lot and you just did what was impossible as a child... go you! Enjoy celebrating and your next runs.

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you UnfitNoMore and thank you for all the support that you give to so many of us through your posts and comments 🙏

I guess it just takes a very long time for some of us to grow up 😂😂😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Dragonflies]

I’ll let you know when I do... I’m growing old, refusing to grow up!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I felt like a kid in a gift shop when I received my graduation badge 😂😂😂

[Hidden]

What an inspiring post! I’m so pleased for you. The feeling strong and empowered bit resonates with me too. Congratulations and welcome to the graduate club! 🎉🎉🎉

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Faith! I feel very honoured to join the graduate club and I look forward to many more running adventures 😊

[Scarlettbunnykins Graduate]

Really inspiring!!! A huge well done!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Scarlettbunnykins]

Thank you Scarlettbunnykins, you are nearly there, enjoy your graduation week!

[Scarlettbunnykins Graduate in reply to Dragonflies]

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?

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Scarlettbunnykins]

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.

[Scarlettbunnykins Graduate in reply to Dragonflies]

Sounds like a plan. You go girl! Looking forward to following your antics post-graduation.

[newrunnerbrewood]

Huge well done Dragonflies. Loved your really inspiring post. Hope you enjoy running as a graduate. It’s a really great feeling to just lace up and go!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to newrunnerbrewood]

Thank you, I look forward to to improving my pace and cross the hurdle of running together with others!

[Nita49 Graduate]

Many Congratulations Dragonflies 💐🎉🙌

Your smile speaks a thousand word.

Really well done and enjoy the rest of your running journey ❤️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️💪

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Nita49]

Thank you Nita, I will!

[Allbarron Graduate]

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

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to Allbarron]

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 don’t 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. Don’t give up. I am sure you can find a way. Remember most ways are not straight but winding and narrow.

[New_Runner_KD]

🏃🤸🤸👍👍👍👍 Huge congratulations Dragonflies! So so pleased for you!!!! Enjoy your day and revel in your fantastic achievement!!! Keep posting!!

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to New_Runner_KD]

Thank you KD, I am looking out for your graduation post, and rooting for you!

[New_Runner_KD in reply to Dragonflies]

Thanks Dragonflies :0) Two more runs for me! Can't quite believe I've managed to get this far!

[GBNDT44]

💪🏼👏🏽

[uncle_wiggy Graduate]

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! 👍💪💐🏆🎓🥉

[Dragonflies Graduate in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thank you uncle wiggy, for those heartwarming words 🙏