Well. . .

[ButtercupKid]

I ran 8:3, which was good. But I came closer to running myself to a standstill than at any time since week 4, which was bad. But I didn’t want to go and kicked the Black Dog out of the way to get there, which is good. But I’ve no idea where my legs are going to get another two minutes from, which is bad . . . This has to be the most ambivalent run ever !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done. You probably already have that extra 2 minutes... run one and two were easier than today right? You got a tough one today, you beat it, next one will be smoother... this run may be ambivalent but the next one will be amazing... and don’t forget... you got this!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UNM. Finding even getting out of bed makes me

feel flat and despairing just now, so I suspect I’ll look back on today and be proud of me in time to come. Hoping to try 9:1 on Friday depending on ice 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Well, we’re proud of you now!

Weather here looking ok... I’m going on a 4 week fitness plan on the 1st which leaves me 3-4 running days a week, it’ll be just like I’m back on the plan! Don’t need any more snow though, or I’ll have to edit the app to remove running and that opens me up to all kinds of new tortures instead. I mean routines of course!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

😂 If they start torturing you give me a yell and I’ll send my boys round. All three of them are built like bulls and one of them is a teenager too - dead scary 😄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I’ll send details of any really nasty workouts the app comes up with 😂

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You’re on 🤣

[Setters Graduate]

But you did it, so no reason to suppose you won’t do 30 mins next time. Perhaps you weren’t at your best health wise, sleep deprived or not as rehydrated as you usually are. I finished week 9 today and really didn’t expect to as first run after a bit of a cold which put my schedule out. You’ve done the runs so far, you can do this. Look forward to seeing your jubilant graduation post, and if takes a bit longer then so what, your still amazing 😉

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Setters]

I don’t mind if it takes a while - I took nine weeks to get through week 1 so I don’t expect an easy victory 😄 I’m going through a period of depression and I didn’t sleep well, so you’re right, there are obvious reasons why today was harder. Massive congratulations on your graduation today 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ Every runner who gets there, at whatever speed, gives me hope x

[Setters Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you I am feeling very pleased. But if you are fighting depression then even more well done for actually getting out there and doing something rather than giving in!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Setters]

You deserve to be pleased - you’ve done so well ! I’ve had depression on and off for the last ten years and I know that the best thing for it is to force myself to go and do stuff. Hiding under the duvet feels much safer but it gets harder to get well if you give in too often. So glad I’m on the programme and the forum: the combination of activity and encouragement is unbeatable. Thanks again x

[Phoenix_flames21 Graduate]

But you did it anyway! If you can do it when it feels impossible, just think how.good it will be when the cosmos is in alignment and you experience that good run!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Phoenix_flames21]

I have had a few of them and I treasure the memories. Mustn’t be greedy 😄 I had root treatment at the dentist yesterday and found myself lying in the chair while he dug around, imagining myself running one of my favourite routes (from Wimborne Corner, over UNM Hill and along the burn to BluebirdRunner Bridge) and not being bothered by the dentistry at all. My world has gone weird, and I like it 😄

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

You have a great imagination there! Well done what a great a positive twist on a dentist trip ! Well done on the run too Kid of buttercup 🙌

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to CatMo13]

Thanks CatMo. It was lovely to have somewhere good to take my mind off to 😄

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

First it was Ethel that you got annoyed at on the early days of C25K, now its the Black Dog that you are kicking out of the way.

Congratulations BCK on completing all the 28 minute runs of week 8. I am sure you will be able to run for a full 30 minutes slow and steady when you start week 9, perhaps give yourself a few days off from starting week 9. 😊 🏃 Just think now, you only have three more runs until your dream of graduating from C25K comes true. 😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr. Running while juggling Ethel and the Black Dog is taking it out of me a bit, but I’ll get there. Lovely weather on the AlMorr Loop today 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

👍👍🏃🏃

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Despite the seeming negatives..........look at all the plus points!

You could have given in to your malign dark canine, but you didn't!

You found it tough, but you paced yourself!

You completed it when you really were not feeling the love!

You know how far you have come and you know there is no shame in repeats, should they be necessary.

You are doing great, so do exactly as you have advised so many others....trust the plan and believe in yourself.

We know you will do it.

Well done.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks IT. I know I’ll do it too. I never was a quitter - even when it would have made more sense to quit ! And it would make no sense at all to give in now. Gritting my teeth and going for it 😬🙂

[51firstrun Graduate]

Well done you for keeping going ! I have been having trouble getting through W8R2 ...took 3 tries. It is very hard if your mind / legs are saying noo. Keep going ; as others said next run could be great .

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to 51firstrun]

Thanks ! So proud of you for getting through that run ⭐️ Hope 8:3 rolls over for a tummy tickle for you 😄

[Pickles1234]

If it’s any consolation at all, I really struggled with W3R1 today! Given it’s the second time around d and I got to W6R1 before I went away in November, I don’t know why. I too am struggling with the black dog and find running definitely helps if you can drag yourself up and out in the first place! Well done for completing Week 8!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pickles1234]

Sorry you’re also being dogged just now - strange how often the tipping into longer daylight brings the Black Dog with it. I think the bitter cold just now doesn’t help - keep getting cramps 😞 You’ll get back to week 6 soon. I just keep remembering the advice of my former driving instructor: “When in doubt, slow down !” Seems to work 😄 Look after yourself. We know you can do it, and we’re all right there with you x

[Tartancat Graduate]

Last week I had to give up one of my runs after 20 minutes. No reason for it - I was well rested, hydrated, warmed up, but I just couldnt run!

But you? You felt rubbish, but you not only kept going, you kept going for 28 minutes. I'd call that a victory 🏆

You've got this BK!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Thanks TC. The cold is a real pain - literally ! No shame in a repeat though. The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for 😉

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Too right - I've just re-done it today and all's good!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Magic ! Well done you ⭐️

[ktsok Graduate]

I don’t see any ambivalence at all in your run, just perhaps in your apres-run analysis?

Despite feeling down, you got up and ran for 28 minutes.

Despite feeling exhausted, you had the mental strength to carry on.

It’s that kind of grit that will see you to the finish line.

Well done BCK. Give yourself a pat on the back and a hot bath 🙂

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to ktsok]

If only - we only have a shower ! Nice hot cup of redbush tea now, and home made scones for supper 😋

[ktsok Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Home made scones definitely qualifies as pampering in my book 😋

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Mine too. And they’re apple and raisin, so healthy too 😁

[Oldlady57]

Keep fighting those demons BK. Send the Black Dog back where it belongs. Keep strong, keep running, your doing fab👍🏻

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

Thanks ! Nothing else for it 😄 Hope it’s going well for you x

[Tonkabella]

You are Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. You can do this , cause as you say " your not a quitter". If you were you would have given in long before now especially seeing as at the minute your towing the BD around with you. Well done you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tonkabella]

Thanks Tonkabella x

[mafee Graduate]

You are so very near there now! ktsok and birdyrose have finished - then you, then hopefully me!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to mafee]

We’ll crash through that tape together 😄

[mafee Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

you might have to wait for me - I am on holiday for 10 days next week and have no intention of running till I get back x oops

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to mafee]

Shocked 😮 ! Enjoy the break and come back refreshed x

[mafee Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

feels like a plan

[Shelley2310 Graduate]

You went out and did it. Think back to your very first run...did you think you would run 20 mins, 25 mins or even 28 mins...no you didn’t. You WILL manage 30 mins, we’ll all be there cheering you on. That podium has your name on it. Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Shelley2310]

Thanks Shelley. Not giving up !

[johnt46 Graduate]

Well Done BCK!!!! You fought through it, you beat it! Have faith in yourself because you know you can beat this, I have faith in you and know you can do this! Only three more runs to graduation. Kick its' ass big time!! loved your mantra by the way😂

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to johnt46]

Thanks JT. Anything to keep the legs in motion 😄

[E27M14 Graduate]

I found week 8 really hard, and I didn’t really know why either. But the support from everyone on here picked me up and I was able to carry on. Not saying week 9 was easy, but not much harder than week 8. It’s only an extra 2 minutes....... it’s not that long ago that we couldn’t even run 2 minutes 😂

Just keep on getting out there, and I hope you can enjoy week 9.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Thanks ! It’s not that long ago that I could barely run 20 seconds, so things are definitely looking up, whatever the Black Dog says 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Well done for winning the battle! That is a great achievement.

Maybe you need a chant for the 2 minutes, something like: Buttercupkid, you can do it, buttercupkid, you can do it.

(I had to do similar today). The advantage of that is that there is no time for thinking.

You’ll do it!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Actually I do make up daft poetry and recite it in my head. Search “mantra” on this forum and you’ll find quite a lot of them. It all helps to keep up the rhythm, and unlike music, you can adjust the rhythm to suit !

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I’ll do just that! Although inventing them on the run uses up a few minutes so quite useful!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Good reads!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Glad you like them ! I always find it easier to run if I have something apart from running to think about 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I’d planned to start listening to things but haven’t got round to it. I’m trying to just be in the moment. Maybe that’s mindful running! Although chanting is essential...

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Definitely helps. I have a headphone phobia so I can’t listen to things, and I have to make up my own entertainment 😄

[Wimborne]

Oh my lovely BCK. That is amazing. Can you please shove that blinking dog out the way a bit please before I shout at it. I can see you don’t see it or really feel it but trust me You were brilliant today. Root canal treatment, it’s really cold, and Ethel came back today when she’s been away for a while. Today the world chucked a bucketful of lemons at you on top of everything and what did you do? You ran.... against all odds you ran!!!! So. Friday. I will have my loudest welshest shouty voice ready and when you get to my corner you listen out for me. You won’t miss me. I will be the one shouting ‘ keep going’. 😍. So head up. Dig deep again. Kick that duvet off tomorrow. Move that dog over a bit as he’s getting in the way a bit now and above all just remember. You , my girl, are a runner. 💗.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne. Wouldn’t be the same without the Welsh echo in the pines 😄

[Pcgdw Graduate]

I was exactly the same on 8:3....4 days off and I did 9:1 yesterday with ease... Only thing I can think of was I did 8:3 at a different time of day that I normally run. Don't worry.. You'll do it

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pcgdw]

Thanks for the encouragement. If I need to repeat to get there, I’ll do that. Definitely not giving up now !