And there we have it, the fabled graduation! Stuck for words really, though no doubt I am about to ramble again...
The run itself I loved every moment. The new trainers felt a b s o l u t e l y amazing, I've never really bought into the technology behind these things too much, but then again I have never really been a runner. Didn't feel like I was running on tarmac & pavement at all, it felt like I was running on my new bouncy soles and they were so damn comfortable, definitely put an extra bit of boost into each step, and saved a bit of energy. 💨 Only challenge with them was making sure I avoided any rogue 🐶💩 on the route 😜
Although I knew I'd be running the route again, passing everything by was very much like a personal victory parade and I was grinning from start to finish. The back pain didn't come back at the 20 minute mark, the pace was roughly the same as R2 with a little added extra, and I made a last minute decision to alter my route a bit at the end too.
Traffic was pretty bad, so turned left at the last mini roundabout to run straight up a main road on a hill until I hit the 25 minute mark. It felt like I had run further than ever before, but I was loving it now. 5 minutes now mostly downhill and I still had some left in the tank. I was still going to be short of 5k but I didn't care, I was going to carry on until the 5k was done to set another milestone. (Thanks to IgaT for the inspiration there).
Ran past my finishing point from wednesday and straight on towards the barbers, this now wasn't a struggle like R2, I was going for my victory lap. Laura chimed in to say congratulations and I was done, checked the gear fit 2.9 miles. .2 to go! That was it, I had finally graduated!!!!
I didn't want to stop, so spotted a gap in the traffic and darted across the road. Downhill now, Brow Lane... all downhill 😁 It felt like I was at my speediest for the entire run, the endorphins were celebrating with me, checked again 3.01, pick up the pace even more, then it quickly refreshed to 3.12 as I was about to sprint. The gear fit had caught up with me and I had done it.
Graduated and completed my first 5K to boot!
Many many thanks to all who have supported and given advice throughout these 9 weeks, I'm not going to call out names in case of missing anyone, but I'm sure you know who you all are I sure do. You've offered wisdom, inspiration and motivation with all your posts and comments.
It's taken 2 years to finally finish this, but I'm hopefully now just getting started. Plans now are to consolidate for a few weeks, try and fit a park run in one weekend, run in mexico! then maybe see about BridgeTo10K when I return.
For those who's graduation runs are very close - you've got this now, get to R3 and enjoy every moment - you've deserved it, and can't wait to hear about those runs.
Brilliant well done, great to hear another success story and yet another C25k graduate! Hope to join you at the finish line at Parkrun next Saturday when I plan to graduate and do my first 5k as well (I hope 😊)
Many thanks stevie! You're so close, you've got this! That Parkrun sounds the perfect place to graduate, and kind of wish I'd timed my day to one now too! Best of luck, will be cheering you on for week 9 and will save some champagne for you at that finish line! 🍷
Thanks SamSam! Looking forward now to running with a bit of freedom (though will probably still kick the app on for a couple of weeks if it still lets me!) You're soo close now, those 2 runs will fly by so enjoy them, and look forward to seeing you at the finish line!
Cheers molly, it was a great one, but they've not all been. Bad runs make the good runs ever better though, so the challenge is what makes the reward, best of luck with week 4!
Cheers Tartancat, just back from a 4 mile dog walk now with the energiser powered spaniel, so feeling pretty shattered. Curry for tea and will pop open a few drinks though before the night is out! 😁
Thanks Jinkstrixy! Definately felt the same early on with other posters, still do, and to be honest it has helped a great deal to write some sort of diary on it even if I have rambled on a bit for 9 weeks! Fun to look back at as well to see the progress 😉
Congratulations on the graduation, and congratulations on that 5k in a very good time. Enjoy consolidation, love parkrun and going intercontinental running in Mexico. But first, celebrate it well tonight Jonny, you earned it. Cheers 🍻
Many many thanks UnfitNoMore you're support throughout this has been so greatly appreciated. Had a lot of doubts whether this was doable after dropping out last time, but every bit of advise you have given has been spot on and helped no end! Will defo have a 🍺 or two tonight in your honour, and looking forward to seeing you on that bridge to 10 in the not too distant future! 😁
Many thanks ButtercupKid! I do hope so, but then again without the bad runs what would make the good ones great? May still be high on the endorphins but hope to embrace them all now whatever they may bring 😬😊👍
Well done!!! I knew you would smash it with huge smile on your face! And after 30 min mark when you know you can stop at any point, it is different run. And reaching the 5K is additional point that makes you very proud of yourself. Congratulations on going for it an reaching it!
Our running journey has just begun! We will keep running, as we know how amazing it is
Great plan! I cannot wait to hear about your next runs. Especially those in Mexico during well deserved holidays
Thanks Iga! Will never forget that day, and we should remember how far we have all come whenever we have a bad run day. Hope that knee is on the mend now! 👟💨
Thanks LostRunner, they definately have helped for me to write, but also to read those who posted before me too. Best of luck for that R3! You will nail it and you'll be well on your way then. Look forward to hearing about those running adventures 👟💨
Wow, I've only just seen this! Massive congratulations on achieving 5k. What a result. Also, did you take that photo? Is that your dog? Professional runner and an ace photographer?! Haha. Congratulations again and I look forward to reading about your future progress. Enjoy your holidays 🎉🥂😊
Cheers Jazzyjeff! Sorry for the late reply, that party went into overtime 😂😂 Yep my dog Odie, and that was my bacon roll treat after the run. Thanks for the kind words, though more of an ace 📷 than an ace photographer hah! Will defo enjoy that holiday, and running out there too, it's been a long time coming.
Many thanks! It's never easy, but making it enjoyable and a happy run masks the pain, and puts a bit of extra energy in the tank. Best of luck with that graduation run - is it your second time around, or did I miss it already? 😬
Ist time for me and I graduated this morning-didn’t quite make the 5k (did 4.9k) and the podcast cut out halfway! I’ve done 5k at parkrun though, so I will be consolidating over the next few weeks to achieve the time/distance
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Woop Woop! Graduated W9R3!
W9R3: Graduation run!! 🎉🎉
Graduated! W9R3 done! 💪🏃♀️😀
W9R3.. Anything is possible... GRADUATED!!! 
W9R3 - graduation friday!!
