Tah dahhhh! I’ve graduated - and surprised mys... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,657 members158,709 posts

Tah dahhhh! I’ve graduated - and surprised myself by running out of route!!

Kertesz profile image
45 Replies

So W9R3 was cunningly designed to coincide with our local Parkrun... alongside 692(!) other runners!!! I was running for club NHS Couch to 5K. My anxiety was high... so this was the perfect time to get in a mess with starting my Strava. It was a lovely run, but then I reached the end of the route/5K before the 30 mins was up... 😳. With nowhere to go, I panicked and stopped the timer early... Then worried I might ‘fail’ as I hadn’t run 30mins. Switched it on again in queue waiting for barcode scan. By the time I’d finished, I’d know idea what I’d done 😂. But I got a trophy on the App, Jo says I’m a runner and Parkrun say I ran 5K in 29.50 (apols for sharing the proud moment!!) What a blast it’s been - thank you all for the amazing wisdom, support... and laughs - the forum got me through this! I’ve been pyramid-selling the programme ever since I started (three other friends have also graduated/are on the verge...). Long may it continue. Now to get in shape for May’s Miles for Mind!!

Written by
Kertesz profile image
Kertesz
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
45 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to IannodaTruffe

Ah, thank you Tim. I can’t tell you how many hundreds of times I referred to/shared your ‘Beginner’s guide’ ... and the ‘Positivity v negativity’ piece was a close second. They were truly the cornerstones that a) made me initially believe I could stay the course b) helped me on the way.

Keep writing, keep smiling 😉!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Kertesz

It's great to know that my efforts are appreciated........... and it does save us from answering the same questions quite so many times.

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate

Amazing ! Well done ! It’s such a great feeling isn’t it ? You should be so proud of yourself 🏆I normally pause things or don’t even press the right button 😂 You can be my virtual running partner for Miles for Mind !

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate in reply to RunRunRun13

I’m doing Miles for Mind too! We should start a club 😂

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun

Yipee ! That’s great ! We just need to fill the rest of the year now 😂 least we can motivate each other on 🏃‍♀️

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate in reply to RunRunRun13

I’ll need some motivation, I’ve put myself down for 50 miles n I’m only doing 5 miles a week with the running so I’ll have to make the rest up with walking

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun

Wow ! That so impressive, I signed up for 25 as didnt think I would reach 50 but will hopefully smash 25, I am away for a week in May but still plan to run then 🏃‍♀️

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate in reply to RunRunRun13

I thought 50 would give me a push to get out. I read that you can walk so thought I’d just go for it. I may live to regret my decision 😂

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to RunRunRun13

Me too!! I’m going to try and run 5K along the prom in San Sebastián!! X Where will you be? X

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate in reply to Kertesz

I’ll be in Sheffield. San Sebastián sounds nicer though 😁 x

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to SeeJillRun

50 miles including walking is an interesting thought... 🤔...

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to SeeJillRun

Yes!! Definitely!!! X

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to RunRunRun13

Thank you!! I’d love to be your VRP... we can faff and mis-press our way through the month together!! Have you joined the Strava MfM running club? We could (virtually!) hook up there too?!

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate in reply to Kertesz

Looking forward to doing it with you...I do have Strava but normally use Nike Run Club app as it has guided runs on there but have joined the Strava MFM club too now. Sure we are going to smash it !

Cfc55 profile image
Cfc55Graduate

Yasssss 😮🍾🥳🙌!! Congratulations on graduating and amazing effort and time K! 692 runners 😮 wow that’s a biggie only 170 at my local! I will be posting a suitably gloating post later, 😂! It’s been great sharing the journey with u, forever grateful for “the fairies” 🧚‍♀️ 😂!

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Cfc55

Thank you!! And, well... some people would say I’m often away with the fairies!! And you... you will always be my own personal Baz Luhrmann: ‘always be kind to your knees’ 😂

Cfc55 profile image
Cfc55Graduate in reply to Kertesz

😂 likewise, it’s good to be a little mad 😂! I think Baz’s advice is starting to pay off, still get pain but not near as bad 👍! So what’s next for your running career? Olympic marathon? 😜😂

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Congratulations Kertesz on graduating and completing week 9 run 3 at this mornings Parkrun in 10 seconds less than 30 minutes, you are among the 10% of C25K runners who can run a sub 30 minute 5k on graduating day. 🎓excellent. 😊 🏃 🎓

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message on the April 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 🎓 🏃 😊

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to AlMorr

Ah thanks Al... I’ve always hoped I might receive this graduation post of yours!! X

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Kertesz

Yes Kertesz, whenever I see some person who have ran W9R3 of C25K they are always thrilled of their achievement, I check to see

1 if the word Graduate is next to their username

2 has anyone else told him/her to tell the administrators etc.

if not I tell them how to get the word Graduate next to their username.

On my new Smartphone it is an automated message, I don't need to type anything except the name and some extra information regarding how they ran it. 😊 🏃

I did ask the administrators if it was OK to do that and they replied back saying they like anyone to encourage them to run and tell them how to get their graduation badge.

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlGraduate

Wow well done, that's a fantastic time for a first park run! 👏👏

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to grumpyoldgirl

Thank you!! It was a bit of a surprise... but I normally run on (and curse!!) hills, so the flat terrain of the Parkrun was a real treat!! X

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlGraduate in reply to Kertesz

Nice surprise for sure! Have to say you're looking good with that shiny new graduate badge 🏅🎆

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to grumpyoldgirl

Oooh! Can’t see the badge - thanks for telling me it’s here! 😉 x

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate

Yay!! Well done and congratulations!! Can’t quite believe you ran out of route, you must be pretty fast 💨🏃‍♀️

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to SeeJillRun

I couldn’t quite believe it either!! 😂

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate in reply to Kertesz

They’ll have to add an extra bit on for you 😂

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Brilliant!! 🤣🤣🤣 congratulations on your completion 🌟🏅

What a great high to finish on, if somewhat addled 🤣

Enjoy your acheivement and your new ability. Something tells me you'll go far 😉👍🥂

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Thank you!! It’s been so nice to find something I love doing at, aherm, ‘my time of life’... I only took the C25K up to prove to myself that I had the discipline to stick at something!!

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate

Awesome job 👏👏👏👏👏👏🏆💪🏃‍♂️

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Jogunlikely

Thank you!! See you on Bignor Hill!!

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate in reply to Kertesz

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Megbird profile image
Megbird

Weldone and congratulations

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Megbird

Thank you!! X

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate

Fab ! Well done you 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ ! Enjoy the next stage in your running journey x

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to ButtercupKid

Thank you!! X xc

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate

Congratulations. I am about to start week 1.

If you don't mind a question about your user name. Are you a gardener?

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Elisabeth3

Good luck with week 1!!! And noooo... I’m not a gardener, sorry. Kertesz is my mini-schnauzer dog... and he’s named after my favourite (Hungarian!) photographer!! X

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to Kertesz

Done week 1, run 1. Done many 5ks but I want to 'build it up' this time. Also combining with Strength and Flex.

Now I understand the name choice. Kertesz is great, just seen his pictures. Really genius.

Do you know other photographers?

Are you a photographer yourself?

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Elisabeth3

I’m quite passionate about all the photographers who were around in Eastern Europe at the time of Kertesz, really! Many of them went on to work for the Magnum photo agency in New York. As for me, I take pictures but not professionally!

Good luck with your revived C25K - I’m also going to take a look at the strength and flex stuff! X

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to Kertesz

Nice about the photography. We saw the World Journalists' photography exhibition in Belgium in January, it was good. Seen a few before.

Do you know Ivan Koves? If not, you can Google. He used to be friend.🎞️

Re Strength and Flex, I found it very slow mo and could hardly wait to end. But after completion, I 'cracked' my back and it felt so good. Thus, I decided to do the 5-week progi.

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate

I have done the Strength and Flex week 1 again today. No back crack. Last time I did it on the day of a longer jogging, and felt good. I will still continue up to week 5.

Given you ran 5k sub 30, I think you will not like the program. I just don't want to feel that I talked you into it. (That's why I have come again to write.)

I could do some chores during the exercises.

Kertesz profile image
Kertesz in reply to Elisabeth3

Don’t worry! Don’t worry! I’ll look at everything you suggested... strength and flex is important - but please don’t feel responsible... I’m just keen to learn what I can (including about photographers I’m not familiar with!!) x

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate

Then I am released that you won't blame me if you don't like the Strength and Flex.

I really hope you will like Ivan Koves.

I love Kertész's pictures. You can send me more names if you don't mind.

There is a new part in V&A museum about photography.

You may also like...

Week9 Run 3 ✅ - I’ve graduated! 😆🎉🎈🏃🏻‍♀️

my running gear, I was relieved it was only a dream! If someone had told me a few months ago I’d be...

Week 6 Run 2 - Surprised myself again ! :-)

up walk at the Parkrun start. Turned at my halfway mark only about 100m from the Parkrun turn! Got...

I’ve just got back from my GRADUATION run!!

stories. I have repeated I don’t know how many runs! It was only when I got past week 6 that iI...

I’ve graduated!!!!!!!

completed W9R3! It was hit and miss whether I’d be able to complete it this week! I had to run my...

Post graduation run - Pleasant surprise

my first post graduation run. I re-ran a week 9 podcast and used map my run for the first time. I am