The day I truly finished C25K

[resolution]

I (re-)started C25K in October 2018 and when I did I bought a ticket for the Finsbury Park 5K on 20 January 2019. It wasn't bought with the intention that I would actually manage the 5K, my main goal with the programme was to run 30 minutes and distance would come later. The furthest I had ever run was around 3.5k (at a speed that almost killed me), so when I went to Finsbury Park yesterday all I expected was that I would give it my best shot and see where I got.

So imagine my shock when I actually crossed that finish line after 43 mins and 22 seconds, without stopping or even slowing down to a walk! I don't really consider myself a very sentimental person, but I cried, and I laughed, out loud, out of pure joy. People must have thought I was a mental case when I was walking back to the tube station, because I was alone and laughing out loud. I didn't care.

I can't even begin to explain how happy I am about this. I owe C25K a great debt, but without any exaggeration I must also acknowledge that I could not have done this with any less determination or motivation. I made it, and I finally convinced myself that I can do more than just the easy, comfortable stuff. I CAN RUN 5K. And that means I can lose my remaining excess weight of 4 stone. And that I can soon sit on the bus without feeling like I'm pushing the other person off their seat with my bum. And that I can Go Ape. And that I can swim with whales. And that I can go to the beach without feeling like one.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations on that first bling run. You can certainly hit all your goals now... see you on the beach once it’s warmed up! Happy running.

[Fit2Sing Graduate]

Incredible work, many congratulations! I also began this amazing journey in Oct 2018 & getting to that 5k was such a buzz. My neighbours all think I'm nuts, I regularly cheer & laugh when I top the hill near my house, it took such a long time for me to manage it! Happy running 😀🏃‍♀️

[resolution Graduate in reply to Fit2Sing]

Haha nice! Well if that is what crazy looks like I'm happy to join the club!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Congratulations and very well done!

[resolution Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you!

[ktsok Graduate]

Loving the bling - and the happy face even more! Congratulations 😊

[Colinsmith]

Brilliant, well done! It sounds like you enjoy running with people so why not come and join us at Ally Pally parkrun?

Or Grovelands, I guess, but we’ve got a better hill at Ally Pally! 😄

[resolution Graduate in reply to Colinsmith]

I'll def look it up!

[Colinsmith in reply to resolution]

parkrun.org.uk/allypally/ 9am every Saturday. Parkrun becomes addictive if you can fit it into your routine, and it’s a great motivator! Just to note it’s a slightly different course from the one shown at the moment as it’s Winter, but it always starts in the same place.

[resolution Graduate in reply to Colinsmith]

Ah nice! I'm saving that link. Won't be able to join this week or next because I'll be on holiday, but after that I'm game.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Well done you 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ Go catch your dreams, and enjoy the journey x

[Jundal Graduate]

Well done, sounds like a great run! Nice bit of bling there, too!

[Hidden]

Congratulations! Good for you and very inspiring for me 🏅

[resolution Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! If I could do this, you definitely can too! Just don't give up.