Anyhow, I've officially graduated - and a lovely run it was too, along the Middlewood Way (4.7km including warm-up/down). 10 weeks since it was first suggested to me by RunaroundSue that running might help me with my goal to feel better and lose weight in 2019, and I've completed the programme.
During this time, I've:
- Progressed from blundering round the park in the dark to nice gentle runs along scenic pathways in broad daylight
- Gone to a running shop, had a gait analysis and bought proper running shoes
- Lost 25lbs in weight
- Dropped two jeans sizes
- Had an injury
- Been to a sports injury clinic
- Uttered the phrase "my sports therapist"!
- Bought dayglo: on more than one occasion
- Inspired several other people to take up or go back to running
- Changed my whole outlook on life
If anyone is at the start of their journey or considering starting, please do give it a go. I am not a sporty person... I like beer and pizza and snuggling on the sofa under a duvet! But now I'm a runner, too. And I'm so grateful to everyone who has encouraged me and given me advice and put up with my newbie over-enthusiasm and idiocy.
And now it's time to swap the L-plates for P-plates and venture out on my own.
Good luck to everyone on this amazing programme!
Written by
Pianism
Graduate
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Very well done indeed. It was a pleasure to join you on your final run of the C25K programme. I am so glad that you have enjoyed it and that you have seen the benefits.
Our next challenge should be a spot of local parkrun tourism.
Thank you. Yes, I'm very pleased. When I started off, graduation was an amazing goal but over the weeks it's become less important than the running itself. Can't wait for all the brilliant runs yet to come.
Congratulations. You’ve achieved so much! Hope you feel proud of yourself and continue running! Your post was really inspirational (although I’m not sure I want to go to a sports injury clinic! Hope your ok!) I’m just at week 2. Reading post like yours keep me motivated. And loosing 25lbs.... brilliant! Well done you!
Thank you. Yes, try to avoid the injury clinic if possible (though the leg massage is quite nice). I'm OK now, just about.... it's a niggle in my Achilles caused by doing too much too soon. Caused me a little bit of anguish today but I just about got to the end. I do need to be very careful still though.
Good luck with your progress through the programme. I know that week 9 may seem a bit daunting and a very long way off at the moment, but you will be amazed.
Interesting post from you Pianism, thanks for the reports you have told us about regarding health issues. 😊
Congratulations on completing C25K with week 9 run 3 and graduating 🎓
To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message on the March graduate post in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃 😊
Whoooo Hooooo 🎉🎉🎉🎉. Congratulations on 🎓. Just look at what you’ve achieved..I’m smiling from ear to ear for you. So very very well done fellow Runner 🏃🏻♂️ 🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you! I'm absolutely amazed to be at this point. I'm also smiling, because I've just taken delivery of my new "Graduate" badge! It's amazing how a simple word in a grey box next to my name has made me soooo happy!
I love seeing Graduate if ever I’m doubting going for a run that little Grey Box spurs me on 😊🏃🏼♀️ .... it’s a reminder not to let all that hard work slip back to nothing.
Oh - I think the congratulations are going to be arriving thick and fast on your Graduation Pianism! Great posts; fabulous experiences - AMAZING weight loss!!! and cool photo (was that before or after the graduation run?)....so happy for you!
Congratulations!!! Fantastic news! And you already got your GRADUATE badge. Fabulous.
It is so great to come to this forum because everyone here provides so much inspiration it it really motivates you to get on and do it. And you have done just that!
Thank you for your kind words. I'm not sure I'd've completed anything without the support of this forum. We're all on the same journey and any help we can give each other has such a positive effect.
🎉👏🏼🎉🏃🏻♂️ Congratulations and welcome to the New, Graduate You! So glad you touched out the IC period and things are better now. Enjoyed your round up of progressive stages & moments. We all hope to avoid injury, of course, but there is a ring to “my sports therapist” that lends a certain cachet. Happy running, and do keep checking in.
Will do. I shall be back at the sports therapist on Monday. Achilles is complaining again - probably because 3 x 30 mins is just a bit too much for it at present. But there's no version of my future that doesn't include carrying on running.
I have a niggly knee and have found that twice a week is good, usually with one shorter and one longer run. I’ve been able to progress distance (carefully) doing this. Good luck
A few weeks consolidation, or maybe scale things back a bit if my Achilles won't let me do 3 x 30m. Then 10k with some specific runs as milestones along the way.
What a great achievement: in fact a series of achievements! Congratulations! I love the fact that you’ve bought dayglo.... more than once 😂 (there will be people on this forum of less than a certain age who won’t be familiar with the term ‘dayglo’!!). Enjoy your continued journey 👍
Thank you My mind tells me that I'm much less than "a certain age" but my body tells me otherwise. Oh, and those laughter lines add to the story too! Lol
WELL DONE!! Great news and pleased that despite your injury a few weeks ago you have managed to pace yourself and get to the finish line which is in fact just a start line
quite static... I have been busier but I'm not best pleased with myself. On my to do list for tomorrow, build a plan from yours and others. (to do lists are my excel to you)
I had a great time - I do like to throw myself fully into things and this was no exception. One day I may tell you about when I tried on running tights!! Glad to say, they stayed very firmly in that shop.
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Graduation - and lessons learned
Whoohoo! It's graduation day for me, too!!
I've done it!! Graduation day!
Graduation run!!
Graduation 
