OMG I’ve done it!!

[dave_the_scot]

9 weeks ago I couldn’t imagine completing this programme. I hadn’t run for years but had up until a year ago been ballroom and Latin dancing.

I started with massive trepidation. My biggest thought was “I’ll give it a week”. Each week was a milestone and each week had its challenges. Around week 5 I hurt (or thought I had hurt) my right knee. Run through it I thought and did. I think it was a result of having proper running shoes for the first time and being told I had sickle right foot. Also I was crossing my arms across my body and twisting my knees. Stopped doing that so knees aligned properly hence the pain.

Week 6,7,8 all sore knee but each week finding it a little tiny bit easier.

Week 8 and 28 minutes was miraculous. I found it easier than I could ever have imagined.

Step into week 9 and for reasons I don’t understand that extra 2 minutes killed me run 1. Second run marginally better.

Run 3 tonight and I did it - total distance 5.3km! To say I am chuffed is an understatement. To quote St Jo Whiley “you are a runner you really are”. I see people like me out and we acknowledge each other, faster people, slower people out doing what we do!

I have to keep going now. No Jo in my ear encouraging me, no little bell at the half way point. It will just be me and my weird music.

My family have been amazing encouraging me all the way. My wife still thinks the NHS has come up C25K to kill us oldies off. Me I am just extending my life as best as I can!

ParkRun next and reliving my days of playing rugby union at Birkenhead Park FC!

Thank you NHS, C25K and thank you Jo Whiley. Another thanks to Chris Evans who started the thoughts of shuffling after seeing Vassos Alexander running! Radio 2 rules.

Can I have my certificate now please?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations! Impressive distance there too. Enjoy your celebration and of course that parkrun.

[dave_the_scot Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UnfitNoMore - really looking forward to ParkRun

[Katnap Graduate]

Keep running 🏃 keep smiling ☺

You will be extending your life and probably making yourself happier!

Congrats! 🎆👏👏👏🏆

[dave_the_scot Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap running yes not sure about the smiling😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations Dave on completing C25K with week 9 run🏃 3 and do you realise that by running 5.3km you are in the 10% of runner's who run it in 30 minutes.

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE (certificate) next to your username leave a message on the November (once its there) graduate🎓 post in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have completed C25K with W9R3. 😉 🎓

[dave_the_scot Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks for the information!! Makes me more chuffed with my shuffling.

[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

[dave_the_scot Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Fellow runner made me smile!! I really did hate road running when I played rugby. It was a necessary evil to get me to 80 minutes on a pitch.

C25K has got me to a stage where I enjoy my 30 minutes of music and thought. The physical benefits are obvious but it is the mental health benefit I have noticed more.

Will keep going and see where the journey takes me.

[Deals1 Graduate]

Yeah!!! Step up to that podium! Well done u, excellent that u did 5k plus!! As almorr says u r in the 10%. I listened to Jo to and she was great. ... Confused me the first time I heard her back on radio 2.

Happy running and enjoy your first parkrun, you'll smash it! 😁👍

[dave_the_scot Graduate in reply to Deals1]

I love Jo’s voice on Radio 2 so it was natural to have her as my mentor. Will miss her on Drive.

Looking forward to ParkRun and thanks for the vote of confidence- hope I do smash it.

[johnm12 Graduate]

Well done Dave. This programme is quite amazing. Time to consolidate and keep on running. Good Luck and well done!

[Jalk]

that's brilliant, many congratulations, what a change in 9 weeks