W9R3 Graduation, a tale of 2 halves!

[jiggles7]

I went into the run, misguidedly thought I would breeze through, alas I was sharply rebuked by a case of the toxic 20s.

We decided to go back to the secret park today, for old times sake, revisit the mini circuit around the skating ramps, then around the swings and play area, then the carpark. I'm not sure if it was the memory of my struggles that made me feel yak today or if I just wasn't feeling the run. My legs were complaining, my back was unhappy, at once point my feet started cramping which was a new one for me 2 months and 4 days from the start. I really, really did not want to be running.

Hit the half way mark and thought I can't do this, and started to run home....and then thought 'I've never been up that road before'...we did our little exploration and once again headed home...but then ooooh we've not been down here before either. it got easier...and easier...and then I hit the Joy Mode. OMG then with the exploring we inadvertently came across a hill - hills and I fundamentally disagree both the going up and coming down...I like a flat surface. But with Joy Mode activated, I actually ran up the hill *shock horror*, no worries, it didn't even rob me of breath. I still had more in the tank...oh my goodness Michael told me to stop running (Euphoric Mode activated)and I couldn't, I just couldn't it was like he was telling me to stop breathing. So I kept on running, we both did...I'm justifying it as a victory lap...it was only an extra 3-4 mins I didn't want to get silly - but honestly I think I could have gone on for longer...

I think the plan now is to consolidate for a couple of weeks then gradually build up to hour runs following the 10% rule. I think I distance running may be the way forward for me, to negate the toxic 20.

I just need to say thank you so much to you all for your support so far, advice, encouragement and inspiration all. You guys have really made this journey possible for me and that is no exaggeration. I've posted about the majority of my runs, the good, the bad, the snot dribblingly ugly and I've never been unanswered. Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage me all along the way.

For those starting out, please don't be afraid to post or to ask. there is always someone who is going through the same thing as you or has got through it and the accountability of posting really helps.

It's been one hell of a journey! I'M A RUNNER NOW...but you aren't getting rid of me that easily - you'll have to pry me out with heavy duty JCB type vehicles.

Thank you all again

Edit: with oversized graduation sized glasses of pink fizz! Happy duck, happy jiggles 😀🥂

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

So pleased for you ! Great job 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ And they bring in the JCBs over my dead body ! 😄

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thanks buttercup!! i'm going to figure out how to get my shiny badge now here to stay for sure. And you are doing so well!! how are you finding week 2? any more 90 second dashes?

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Getting there, slowly but surely 😄

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

And you will get there as surely as I did. Really if I can, you can too 😀

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Thanks for your encouragement. I’m in this for the long haul, and whenever someone graduates I think “Some day that will be me” 😀

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I’m following your journey, you will hit the podium. Stay active😀

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Thanks jiggles. Your support means a lot x

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Buttercup your determination means A LOT more. You’ve totally got this

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Ahhhh - now I’m blushing 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations... well done on that run there, toxic 20 isn’t fun... I did a toxic 5k once 😂😂.... but look at the way you came back in the second half. Enjoy celebrating, consolidation and the next journey.

10% is good... but it’s also good to be on a plan... ju-ju- has an excellent 10k one, join Bridge to 5k on here.

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UNM! I figured I would just do my own thing until the bridge to 10 rolled around again. Jeez a toxic 5k sounds grim! Well done for seeing it through!! Fizz has been chilling in the fridge since last week 😂😂😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Ah... ok... will probably start in December I guess!

Today I have to run 1.25 mile tempo... I think that will be fine, just 2k and a couple of steps I think 😂

Enjoy the fizz, I’ll raise a glass later.

[Hidden]

Really well done 👍 very proud of the both of us! Big day today 🏆definitely going to be celebrating this weekend 🍾🥂x

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Celebrations definitely happening!! So proud of us too!! Thanks MrsJones

[HEK26]

Really encouraging post! Well done you! 🙂

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to HEK26]

Thanks HEK! honestly if I can get to the end of this anyone can how is week 3 treating you?

[HEK26 in reply to jiggles7]

Week 3 is going alright. Haven't stopped so thats good. Looking forward to week 4 actually, who would have thought!

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to HEK26]

That’s great Hek! Week four is exciting. It’s surprising how you get used to running quickly and then start looking forward to it. Just keep on going 😀

[Nita49 Graduate]

Great Post 👍

Many congratulations... Whoop whoop!

Enjoy your moment and happy running, you runner you 🏃‍♀️🙌👏💪🤸‍♀️

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Nita49]

Thanks Nita! So SO happy! hard run but the level of achievement is similar to week 5r3, you've got it all to look forward to. how is week 6 treating you?

[Nita49 Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Well I don't want to put a curse on it, but it's going well!👍 Because of a social life (I know get me huh 😎😁) I'm a bit behind, but it's the grand finale tomorrow morning .......Wk6R3!

My tunes are at the ready, and I'll give it my best shot 🤞🏃‍♀️

Watch this space....

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Nita49]

Social lives are so pesky!! You'll be grand tomorrow, it's a lovely long run again, just like week 5 run 3 you will smash it! you've got it 7 more runs till you're on the podium how exciting

[Nita49 Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

7 more runs! Blimey hadn't thought about it like that....

One run at a time, slow and steady which will give enough time to get the podium and fizzy pop ready 👏🍾😊

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Nita49]

Slow and steady all the way! It’s the only way to go. All this healthy work deserves a fizz reception 😀 keep going just as you are, you are doing a fantastic job 😀

[donttrustaskinnycook Graduate]

Well done!!! I hope you're celebrating this weekend

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to donttrustaskinnycook]

Thanks donttrustaskinnycook! Most definitely celebrating!

[Oldlady57]

Congratulations jiggles!! Fab achievement 👏👏👏🎓🥇🎉🎊🥂🍾

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

Thanks Oldlady57

[Bluescorpion]

Inspiring!! Well done you

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Bluescorpion]

thanks bluescorpion

[Ready440]

Congratulations, what an achievement. I am so happy for you 😀😀👍👍

[jiggles7 Graduate]

Thanks Ready440 ! if memory serves you are not too far away from graduation yourself! come and join me on the pedestal...I'll even move duck along a bit to make room - just realised I hadn't replied to you but to the forum so added a tag - so rude!

[Gran4z Graduate]

Fabulous, congratulations - sooooo happy for you. Be proud, you've gone and done it. Happy consolidation runs...you might miss Michael, you could take him on a few outings for awhile, I did till I felt OK to let him go 🙂.

This running lark is definitely addictive. Enjoy muchly 🙂🌻

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Gran4z]

Thanks gran4z! I’m so chuffed! Michael and I have had ups and downs...poor sod I think he will be pleased to see the back of me😂🤣😂🤣😂 the only one who gets worse flack is my physio Pilates instructor...but I keep going g back *sighs*.

I am really looking forward to running just BECAUSE I CAN! And want to.

[Auden Graduate]

Congrats! Your post was such a pleasure to read.👍

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Auden]

Thank you Auden 😀

[Jell6 Graduate]

Well done Jiggles 🍾🍾 I enjoyed reading your graduate post, now run off and get that badge.🤩

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Look!! I have my badge!!! 🤩🤩🤩It is glorious and shiny! And looks exactly like the splendid grandure I saw the very first time I entered this forum thinking i’ll Never get one of those 😂😂😂 glad you enjoyed the post too😀

[Liz5K Graduate]

Congratulations!

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Liz5K]

Thank you 😊

[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.

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks iannodatruffe, promise I will read it tomorrow when the celebrations are exhausted 😀

[Ibot]

OMG I am no longer going to call you jiggles you are now JOGgles 😂😂

Well done I really am so proud of you

Glad you had a celebration 🎉

You deserve it 😘

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Ibot]

hahaha I’ll be jiggling for a long time yet! I’m so proud of us too!! You’re next run is your graduation!! Have you got your celebrations planned?

[steviej99 Graduate]

Well done Jiggles, nice smart graduation badge you've got there! Great graduation run and lesson to us all how a tough run can hit at any time but that the plan does prepare you for success in the end. Sometimes we forget that this is a real physical challenge and not just a walk in the park 😊😊. Congratulations!!

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Why thank you steviej99 😀sure it been a tough journey with hard runs but it was so worth it. Manny more trials and tribulations to come 😀😀

[LottiePops]

Huge congratulations 👏🏻🎉 Sounds like you battled a couple of demons on that run and triumphed ☺️ Enjoy the fizz 💛

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to LottiePops]

Thanks so much lottipops! Body gremlins were out for blood but were eventually thwarted 😀🥂was delicious 😀

[Katnap Graduate]

Belated congratulations from me!

Good luck with your future running plans! 😸👏👏👏🏆

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap!! 😀😀😀 first solo run today which was weird, but good 😀

[Katnap Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

There's lots of advice and help on continuing with your running.

Biggest difference seems to be all the talk of core exercises.

Anyways... Happy running! 😸

[Hidden]

Congratulations Jiggles! Great news! 👏🌟🔥

That sounded like a tough last run of C25K, but great you managed to find the joy and euphoric mode buttons... I’ve gotta get me some of those! All the best with your future runs 👍

😁⚡️⚡️

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks thundersloth 😀😀😀 like the entire C25k, hard but worth it! You definitely need to get some happy running button modes, they make all the difference 😀