5K Graduation run: I’m a 64-year-old cancer... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,334 members158,513 posts

5K Graduation run

72 Replies

I’m a 64-year-old cancer survivor and 18 months ago I weighed over 18 stones. I was on medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, I couldn’t walk very far and my eyesight was under threat. I joined Weight Watchers and lost 5 stones last year and I don’t take any medication now. I’ve put a little bit of weight on this year - nothing to worry about – but I’d like to get back to my peak again so that’s why I took up Couch to 5K. I have always found running hard and I thought that it would do me good. I completed W9R3 today in the rain and decided to try for a 5K. My route is several laps of my local park and I worked out that I would need to do 4 to reach 5k. I did it and I’m delighted. (In fact I ran a little extra because I was so worried in case I finished at 4.99K. I would have been gutted!). I plan to consolidate for a few weeks and then try a park run. The Couch to 5K programme is brilliant, the app is great and this forum is so supportive. Thank you to everyone who gave me tips and encouragement. I would like to do the same for other runners here and I feel great that I will be able to do so as a graduate now.

72 Replies
Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

😁😁😁😁😁👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👏👏👏🏆

Fantastic achievement Poole4752

Have you decided what you're doing next?

in reply to Katnap

I'm going to carry on with three thirty-minute runs a week for a bit and include the occasional 5K but not push it. Consolidation is the key I think.

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate in reply to

Good call!

Happy running! 😸

Another amazing, inspirational story about how lives are changed by this programme. Really big congratulations from me! A whole new world awaits :)

in reply to

Thank you!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Congratulations on many fronts, 5 stones, 5k, graduation, no meds, and being smart enough to make sure you got 5k (I ran 3 miles on my first attempt!). Excellent run to finish this off on. Enjoy celebrating this long into the night! Consolidation is fun, making 30 minutes easy/comfortable... who’d have thought it? parkrun are going to be delighted to have you... you’ll love it.

in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks for your advice and support. I have appreciated your relplies. 👍

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to

I made the unusual step of commenting on a graduation post without looking at that first post... just looked and I have to ask...

Do you still hate running??? 😂

in reply to UnfitNoMore

Haha! I have to be honest and say that I don't yet enjoy it while I'm doing it like I used to with tennis and badminton but I get a bigger sense of achievement when it's over. I'll see what happens in the weeks and months to come.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to

Cool... love grows, but the hate has evidently gone!

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

Very well done, you’ve got all it takes to take you wherever you want to be! Wishing you all the luck!

in reply to mrrun

Thank you.

sHAYM4N profile image
sHAYM4NGraduate

Wow Poole that is incredible, you've been through a hell of a lot by the looks of it and have come out more than fighting. Think you're an inspiration to anyone who says they can't run, and really puts things into perspective. Both my dad & father in law (to be) have come through as cancer survivors too in the last 4 years, and have seen first hand what a battle it really is. So so happy for you, an amazing run and an amazing graduation. Celebrate the night away, and really look forward to hearing the rest of your running adventures. Simply amazing! 🎉👍👌💨👟

in reply to sHAYM4N

Thanks, much appreciated.

Kizzy76 profile image
Kizzy76

Wow, that is so amazing to hear, inspirational! I have just started couch to 5k tonight, just done my first run in the dark and rain but really enjoyed it. I hope I can stick with it and in 9 weeks be posting my graduate run. I will think of your post if ever I'm tempted to give up.

in reply to Kizzy76

What a lovely comment, thank you. This is a very well designed programme. The runs get tougher but so do you and you will learn to trust the programme and believe in yourself. The support here is fantastic. Keep posting and have a look at the FAQ's for some excellent information. Good luck on your journey.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Absolutely amazing Poole4752! What an inspiration you are. Well done indeed and you should feel deservedly proud of yourself. Brilliant! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Congratulations on your graduation, c25k is certainly a life changer. Why not celebrate with a run at parkrun , you don’t have to run all 5k, just follow your W9 R3 again

in reply to Dexy5

Thank you. That's what I plan to do after a few weeks consolidation.

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate

👏👏👍😁🏃 well done!!!!

Jundal profile image
JundalGraduate

Well done Poole, this is simply the first step. Consolidation as you said, is definitely the way to go for a few weeks. Grow those running legs sloooooowly, so that you make them well.

Oldlady57 profile image
Oldlady57

Congratulations on completing C25K!! Your other achievements are an inspiration too. I wish you well on your continuing journey👏👏🎓🥇

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Massive congratulations on oh, so many levels!!

Graduate ! You have done amazingly!

The best bit? After the party it goes on!

Head over to check out the Consolidation and Continuation post on Bridge to 10K!

But for now..Celebrate!

in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thank you. I have learned a lot from your posts, especially the excellent FAQ's.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Congratulations Poole4752, what a inspiring story from you, great that you lost 5 stone and don't need to take any medication now, just consolidate your runs with 3/30 minute runs a week before you run your first 5K parkrun🏃

in reply to AlMorr

Thank you and yes, that's the plan!

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate

Huge congratulations!! What an inspirational post x

in reply to molly1973

Thank you!

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate

Yuhuuuu!!! Congratulations!!!! You are amazing!!! You did it! And how! Wow! With over 5K in a bag!!!

Very inspiring story as well! Well done!

in reply to IgaT

Thank you IgaT

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate

Congratulations on graduating 👏🤸‍♀️👏🤸‍♀️👏💪

What a ginormous achievement in many more ways than one! Not only are you running continuously for 30 minutes, you have smashed 5k too at a very decent pace, and you are winning at life. I look forward to to hearing more about your future running adventures. 🙌

Mickrob profile image
MickrobGraduate

A great achievement, well done mate!

in reply to Mickrob

Thanks Mickrob

Running4me profile image
Running4meGraduate

Your story is amazing - congratulations!!! I’ve not posted before ... but your story’s inspired me ... I’m just about to turn 64 and a year ago had never run in my life. It’s taken me a year (!) to reach this point, with stops and starts, but I’m just about to do Week 9 run 1 and looking forward to becoming a graduate very soon!! Congratulations to you again - your story will be in my mind as I press on to graduation and beyond!

in reply to Running4me

You are doing really well. wait until you graduate, it's a great feeling!

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate

Fantastic achievement. Congratulations on the graduate badge of honour xx

in reply to Jogunlikely

Thank you!

OKES profile image
OKESGraduate

Fabulous achievement 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

in reply to OKES

Thanks OKES

Blue53 profile image
Blue53Graduate

Brilliant - A real encouragement! I’m just about to start week 8 and this gives me a real boost to carry on.😀

in reply to Blue53

Fantastic! You'll feel as good as I do in a couple of short weeks.

Bloodhound1 profile image
Bloodhound1

Simply aspirational. As another ‘OAP’ I know how tough it is but I will follow your example

in reply to Bloodhound1

Go for it!

Mrun1 profile image
Mrun1Graduate

A massive congratulations to you! That is such an inspirational story!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

in reply to Mrun1

Thank you Mrun1

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate

Congratulations! A brilliant way to complete the programme👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🏆🏆🏆

in reply to Sandie1961

Thank you Sandie1961

uncle_wiggy profile image
uncle_wiggyGraduate

Fab post, fab graduation run & fab achievement overall! Taken back control of so many things, truly inspirational too many others out there. Massive well done! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

in reply to uncle_wiggy

Thank you uncle_wiggy!

BeckySharp1 profile image
BeckySharp1

What a fabulous achievement. I hope you enjoy the park run when it comes.

in reply to BeckySharp1

Thank you Becky

Rebel-runner profile image
Rebel-runner

That is so good,you are an insperation!!

Excellent, well done x

in reply to Rebel-runner

Thank you Rebel-runner

Jag1jacq profile image
Jag1jacq

Superb effort....really well done!

in reply to Jag1jacq

Thank you Jag1jacq

Runningroni profile image
RunningroniGraduate

Massive well done. Most of us older runners do not graduate on on a 5k run. Your time was impressive. You are an inspiration

in reply to Runningroni

Thank you Runningroni

johnm12 profile image
johnm12Graduate

What a lovely post and very well done you. This programme is amazing. Definitely recommend consolidate over the next few weeks. It really does help to build up strength and endurance. But that's in the future, for the moment enjoy your well earned badge. Well done once again

in reply to johnm12

Thank you johnm12

Such an inspiration to keep going

in reply to Losingthecalories

Thank you (and I hope you are!)

jayval70 profile image
jayval70

Wow - that’s some achievement. Well done and congratulations. You must feel great 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

in reply to jayval70

Thanks jayval70, it does feel good I have to admit.

Gran4z profile image
Gran4zGraduate

Brilliant- and what an amazing achievement - you are inspiring 🎉👏🏻👏🏻👟😃

in reply to Gran4z

Thanks Gran4z

DianeU profile image
DianeUGraduate

Such a wonderful achievement Poole! I hope to be joining you on the podium later today and it will be an absolute honour to do so! Very well done!

in reply to DianeU

Thank you DianeU. You wait, it's great to have that little grey word 'Graduate' next to your name! Come and tell us how you feel when you've nailed it.

tropicana profile image
tropicana

Wow this is amazing!!! Well done🙌👏💪

Lagger profile image
LaggerGraduate

Amazing achievement! Well done you will be an inspiration to so many!

You may also like...

Running 5k by graduation?

start of the run and finished at the end of the 25 minute run. During the 25 min run I did 3.4k...

Graduation Trainers & first running 5k

popped into a running shop today and explained the symptoms and my current GT2000’s were 2.5 years...

Second graduate run - another 5K

days later - the second 5K baby! So - try not running for a given duration, just go slow and see how

Graduated with running my first 5k

Honestly before I started this I couldn't have run 1/2 a k. I am so impressed by the NHS for...

3 or twice a week run after 5k graduation?

continue running 3 times a week. Can anyone give me advice about the difference between running 3...