Penultimate run of Couch to 5k

[staceypek]

This morning (at 5:45am – what has happened to me?!) I did run 2 of week 9. I am astounded I’ve got this far, the progress has been unbelievable from that first couple of weeks where I struggled to run a minute and couldn’t fathom doing 5, let alone 30.

I’m still finding the first half of the runs more tricky, feeling a bit stiff and getting breathing under control etc, but after around 15 mins I definitely feel more comfortable and steady. My bum has started to ache a bit after running which I’m going to take as a great thing as perhaps it means it’s toning up!

I plan to do my first ever parkrun with my dad on Saturday as my final run of the programme. This morning I managed 4.2k, which included the first warm up walk, so am still pretty slow! Average pace according to Strava was 8.50 min/km, so if my calculations are right, and I maintain that, I should complete 5k in between 42-43 mins, which I would honestly be so chuffed with – it would be the best Christmas present to myself. Am fully aware that’s still a chunk more than I’ve been doing though, so I plan to do the run as normal, slow down to a walk after 30 mins if I feel I need to, and see where I go from there.

Thanks to everyone here for all the support, this forum has been excellent and I've loved reading all the highs and lows of fellow C25kers - I don't think I'll be leaving in a hurry!

I am one of the least sporty people you’d ever meet and I still can’t quite believe I’ve done this programme from start to finish – not even repeating a run! It just shows you how much you’re really capable of (and how the gremlins can sometimes take over and make you believe lies!)

Wish me luck for Saturday! And good luck to all, whatever your week 😊

[AnnaKarenina]

Well done and huge congratulations. Sending all good vibes for your Park Run debut. I would love to hear how it goes. Keep on keeping on!

[steviej99 Graduate]

Well done Stacey and good luck for your combined graduation run and inaugural Parkrun, first of many I bet. Hope to do my inaugural Parkrun on Saturday to end my first post graduation week!!

[staceypek Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Thanks so much and congrats on your graduation! How have you found this week with no c25k trainer in your ears?! Good luck for parkrun too!

[steviej99 Graduate in reply to staceypek]

38:36 woohoo parkrun no 1 done. How did you get on Stacey? It was a beautiful day here, everyone very friendly, I was a bit intimidated by lots of serious runners but it really didn't matter. See you next week they cheerily shouted as I left😊😊

[staceypek Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Well done Steve that time is FAB! You very comfortably beat me...mine was 42mins 39 secs. I'm happy with that (for now), gives me something to improve on as a goal Merry Christmas, looking forward to continuing the running journey alongside you in 2019!

[steviej99 Graduate in reply to staceypek]

I think goals are so important and the 9 week C25k is perfect. I hope a regular monthly parkrun will give me that motivation to keep running. Perhaps a 10k in the spring!🤔! I'm sure you'll see your PB improve as you get those running k's in!! Have a great Xmas

[staceypek Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Exactly, totally agree and I want to do parkrun regularly now too. Must admit I'm not ruling out a 10k either. I love having something to work towards! Plus I often get the bad January blues, so this could take my mind off it!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job... love that parkrun/graduation. Keep the pace down if you’re going to be running the whole thing.

[staceypek Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! I certainly will. Really excited (and nervous)!

[Golfingnut Graduate]

Well done. I ran W9R2 this morning as well and intend doing the local park run on Saturday to complete the course and graduate, although this will be my second as I ran last Saturday with my son who was home for the weekend.

My wife will be running her first with me.

Good luck and enjoy the feeling crossing the finish line for the first time. It's great.

[staceypek Graduate in reply to Golfingnut]

Thank you! Congrats on your graduation too - this time tomorrow we'll be almost done....eek!

[Amerynthe Graduate]

Hi Stacey, must be something special about W9R2 - I got up really early on Tuesday to do mine as well! Graduated yesterday and, like you, am doing my first Park Run tomorrow! I am around the same speed as you, so we will probably cross that finishing line 'together' even though we'll be doing different runs. I'll be cheering you on in my head if I have any breath left!

[staceypek Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Aaaah that's so lovely - thanks Amerynthe! Congrats on graduating and best of luck for tomorrow too, will be thinking of you as well! Make sure you post and let us know how it went

[Katnap Graduate]

Good luck with your parkrun tomorrow! 😸