W8R3 smashed it

[Mercmancouchto5k]

Due to business travel, I am now 2 days behind schedule to finish couch25K by year end and to do my first park run on New Year's day. But today was probably my best achievement (mentally). I did not feel the 5 minute and 10 minute doubts that I could finish this, the third of my 28 minute runs. I had to stop after 10 minutes because my bladder was full - a consequence of trying to drink 2 litres water per day - so I figured I lost about 30 seconds. At the end of the run, I decided to run the extra 30 seconds, and just kept running. When I looked at the Couch25K app I was into my brisk climb down walk with only 2 minutes left to go. I had run for 31 minutes. What a great feeling, so I look forward to the next 3 runs, and the last week. Now is the time to register with Park Run and to look into the bridge to 10K. I felt more confident that I can run 30 minutes than I have felt since starting this course back then, which only feels like yesterday. Woo hoo

[Hidden]

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly! The programme develops stamina surprisingly quickly and without us realising it!

[Mercmancouchto5k Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi, with the 30 minute run barrier smashed already, I have signed up for ParkRun a week earlier than planned, to avoid slipping into the new year. My local park run is insane enough to be doing a special run on Christmas Day, and I think I will turn up to that one to do W9R1. I will start the podcast for the brisk 5 minute walk as the run starts, so I won't feel embarrassed that I will probably be the last to finish. I am keen to stick to the couch25K instead of trying to prove I can run 5K. That can be done once I finish week 9.

[Oldjigger in reply to Mercmancouchto5k]

If you walk briskly for 5 minutes and then run for 28minutes I expect you will not be last to finish. You may need to slip into your warm-down walk before you get to the end, but in my limited experience of Parkrun locally there's usually someone coming in at about 50 minutes. So unless your local group are all young and fit, there's likely to be someone behind you. And then there's the tail-walker!

Go enjoy it!

[Mercmancouchto5k Graduate in reply to Oldjigger]

Thanks for the heads up. I am doing Christmas Day - with the target of graduating in 2018

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Mercmancouchto5k]

I agree with Oldjigger, you'll be at the tail end but doubt you will be last.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

You've done it! You've run 30 mins. Park Run here you come! I graduated C25K at ParkRun, maybe you will too!