Hello everybody and welcome to May 2019. What a great time of year for runners, but wait... every month of the year is a great time for runners... just different 😀😀😀
Please leave your username here for me, so we can organise your well deserved Graduation badge.
We will try not to leave you waiting too long as we know how great it feels when your badge arrives.
Please feel free to download and save the above Graduation badge certificate that has been kindly designed by RunaroundSue
Don’t forget to look into the ‘What Next’ post
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...…….what-next
We would like to clarify the position of earning your Graduation badge.
To get your badge you will have completed the full training podcasts and be able to run for 30 min.
It does NOT matter if you cannot run 5 km; you are a graduate after running 30 min for three times.
To ensure that it is fair to everybody, please do not ask for your badge until you have completed Week 9 Run 3.
Many Congratulations and a Huge Well Done !
Please don't rush off from this forum too soon, our graduates bring a wealth of information, experience and encouragement to our new runners. We would love to read about your next steps, your challenges and how you overcame them, your successes and achievements etc.
As part of your future plans, why not join the C25k Quest, see the pinned posts for details🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻
Happy running everyone xxx
Oldfloss, RFC & Ju-Ju and Millsie-J xx
Written by
Realfoodieclub
Graduate
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Not quite yet for me, still on W4. I hope I can add my name to your June 2019 graduation, which is also when I turn 40! Excited to be on this challenge and can see that badge getting closer and closer and within reach.
You can totally do this! Go JaoJao 👍👏 let us know how you’re getting on, everyone on the forum will be so happy to see you progress. Hope you’re enjoying your running.
Yeah !! You’re smashing it! 👏🎉 far from being fed up hearing from you, the C25K community gets a positivity boost from your updates. Happy running.......to June and beyond 👍
Hello. Finally completed W9R3! Work got in the way, it's been almost a year since starting but I made it, kept going back and restarting after a break but made.it through this time....onwards and upwards!
Your badge is next to your name now, unfortunately it doesn't show on the app. Here is the link to change your name if you want, I would think about it as everyone will of got used to you under the name you use and you might lose some following if you change your name. Please note you can only do this twice
Hi! Very proud to have completed my 3, 30 min runs this week. I've loved C25K and not sure I can run without the little encouraging voice in my ear! I'm going to look at the C25K quests and get myself down to the local Parkrun; got to keep this momentum going. Thanks.
I completed Couch to 5k in April - how do I go about getting a graduation badge please? I never thought that at 56 years I would be typing something like this.
Completed W9 R3 an hour ago, delighted, bang on the schedule this time. Last time, two years ago, crashed out end of Wk 2 with shin splints.... not this time
Hi Realfoodieclub and all the other great guys who helped me get through the graduation and finally got my trophy after week 9 Run 3.... I won't deny it's not been easy but 9 weeks ago I couldn't have done it so thanks to all of you and Couch to 5K it's been great. Now we can go on and build on what we've done so far thank you all.
I completed W9R3 this morning! At the age of 55, I am so glad to have done this. I stuck with the programme and it worked. I'm very grateful for all the advice, tips and encouragement on this forum. Now for consolidation and incremental improvements! As someone on here wrote, "running helps running".
Hello. Wk9 R3 completed this morning so after 125 days and 30 runs (including a couple of re-runs) I have done what I set out to do. If you have any spare graduation badges could you let me have one please...?
finally finished this today having had a couple of months out due to a broken collarbone. user name is Mafee. thanks for all the support along the way.
Thank you! This forum has been really helpful in getting me to complete. On now to try to get to 10k and also endure I can do 5K in 30mins (currently about 5 mins from that)
Hi I completed C25K today with my week 9 run 3 ran for 34 minutes to actually do 5K. I am really pleased with myself as I have done this after going through Breast cancer treatment which finished mid December. Now to stay fit and healthy
Hi. I completed the c25k plan last month - 6 months after I started, and I ran my first 5k in 37 mins today. Username ‘Harefield’. I could not of done this without your help, thank you!
Hi I completed the couch 2 5k on 6th May! Refound my love of running again thanks to the app! Got a few races lined up too. Thank you to everyone in the forum, I’ve got some really good tips from here 🏃♀️😊 my username is CavoE
I've just completed Week 9 Run 3 today, 7 May. Can't quite believe it - and managed it without repeating any of the runs. Averaging 4.3k in 30 minutes. Next target is to make it to 5k.
Hi Realfoodieclub, I ran W9 R3 yesterday. I’m so pleased with myself! I also ran my first Parkrun on Saturday and managed to do it in 35.55 which I am chuffed about. I am 55 and have never run before C25K, I think it’s a brilliant program and I’ve really been helped by the advice and encouragement from the forum, not necessarily to me but to everyone. Thank you all so much! X
GibsonBBKing completed C25K on 8th May 2019 thanks to the Podcasts (I chose Laura) and the work of the people at HealthUnlocked and fellow users. I'm most grateful
I'm still slightly giddy from completing week 9, run 3 this morning so excuse my ramble here healthunlocked.com/couchto5... My username is Mowax. I would love a graduation badge next to my name please. Thanks
That's me completing week 9 run 3. Still hard work and not completely converted to this running thing BUT I am enjoying feeling better, fitter and can go out running with my super sporty 9 year old without him having to almost resuscitate me. (although he jogs ahead and back again several times because I am so slow!!!!!). Now to get better at the 30 minutes and get nearer to the 5Km distance.
Thanks everyone for taking time to support and advise everyone.
Hoping to graduate next week and just wondering if the C25K app has voice overs for the consolidation runs? I'm sure someone mentioned it on the forum but I can't seem to find any information about it. Wondering if I just made it up!
At almost 60 and as a person who hated running, I have completed the Couch to 5k program- it was tough but great! I run slowly - but I can keep going for 30 minutes. I have seen real progress over the weeks. Great stress relief and fab programme. I am a bit worried about maintaining this - I need something else to follow but don't know what to try next. Will check out the suggestions! Norju59
Hello! I have just graduated! So, so pleased, I would never have believed it, even just a few weeks ago when apprehensive about the 20 minute run! Happy Sunday everyone!
Hi Realfoodieclub......I’m SO thrilled that I just completed my graduation run W9R3 and would LOVE a graduation badge next to my name 😁 my username is Jerichomile. Thanks. C25K is genius! It’s transformed my wellbeing.
Completed c25k on Saturday - feeling very pleased with myself. Run 1 of week 9 I found an amazing burst of energy and even carried on past the 30 minutes to do a full 5k in 38 minutes. Runs 2 and 3 I found much harder, but seems like I'm at the point where even if it's a 'bad' day I can grit my teeth and get to 30 minutes. Also 2 stones down from when I started in February!
A month or so of consolidation and I'll start doing a longer run once a week and see where that gets me. Also going to do the Sunrise City 5k at the end of next month to give me something to train towards - sunrisecity.co.uk/cities/sh...
Hi, I'm Polysmum and I completed W9 R3 on Saturday 11th May. I turned 50 in February and haven't run since I was at school. It's not been easy, but I have found solace in the advice I have read on this forum. I have trusted in the plan, and just kept running.
So today I did something I wouldn’t have believed 9 weeks ago... I got up at 6am and completed my week 9 run 3 before work🎉🎉🎉🎉. I’ve never been an early morning person nor a runner but I’m actually starting to enjoy my early morning runs, especially when the sun shines like it did today.
I’m 50 now and I reckon it’s about 35 years since I last ran for more than a couple of mins. All thanks to C25K and the fab advice and inspiration I’ve found on this forum. My new mantra is “slow and steady”🐌🐌🐌🐌 After all the tortoise did beat the hare in the end didn’t he!
C25K Week 9 run 3 completed on May 11th 2019. I managed to run 5.48k in just under 40 minutes. I haven't run for many years, but signed up to do the Race for Life 5K for Cancer Research and wanted to run with the team. Over the past 9 weeks, I have done exactly what Michael Johnson told me to do and I'm amazed that I can now run for 30 minutes without stopping. Thank you so much, on to the 10k now Username Leighbgb
W9R3 done! Thankyou so much to everyone on here for the support and tips... I really would never have thought I could do this back in mid-Feb... Started on 1 Mar, and kept on shuffling! Today was probably the second hardest, after W1R1, and certainly the hottest, but it’s in the bag! I didn’t make the 5k, nowhere near tbh, but I CAN do 30 mins... Race for Life signed up to, so now to increase the distance then the speed
Hi, Josiecat here - I have just completed it - on a wonderful, warm evening, Michael Johnson got me through! So proud and can honestly say this forum is fab, the wealth of advice and positivity is just wonderful!
I have a huge smile on my face when I can say that I have completed W9R3 today. I have loved the programme and this community is super helpful and supportive, it’s exactly what I have needed 😊
No sorry my mum died in a hospice three hours after I told her in person that I had graduated. I was there at the end and had been with her pretty much the last four days in the hospice. I managed to get my last two runs in and graduated the day after my 58th Birthday
I'm very sorry for your loss Papillon17 🙁 I'm glad you got to spend time with her and tell her that, I'm sure she would be proud of more than just what you're accomplishing through this running stuff. 🏃👍🥇🏆
Oh totally she followed my progress and was very pleased although at the end I was doing all the talking as a result of all the pain relief she was only with us in body.
Hello Realfoodieclub I hope you are well my username is Zanzibar4 and I have just completed the final run of 30 minutes of C25K I am over the moon thanks for all your support this forum has been amazing 😁
Hi there Realfoodieclub, I have just this afternoon completed my final run of week 9 and graduated. I can now run 30 min with ease but am not quite running the 5k yet (get to 4.5k). It is great to see so many people doing this. Thanks for all the info and support. My username is emsnina
After starting about 18 months ago and struggling with my health I completed my final run of week 3 on my way to work this morning! Almost can't believe I finally graduated but I definitely put the work in!
Hello - finished W9R3 on the 14th May. Username sefton15. Took me a bit longer than 9 weeks due to work getting in the way, so had to repeat a few, but got there in the end!
Really sorry if I am missing something.... but I can’t see my badge. I know you say you get the word ‘Graduate’ next to your username, but is that on my profile page ? Any chance of a screen shot of the location 😬
Click on this link it will take you back here on the web browser and you will see your badge next to your name. Unfortunately it doesn’t show up on the aPp.
Also, on the app, next to the circular personal images on the feed, there are some smaller circular images. Some look like runners, some are the C25K logo and then there are others which are too small to see. What are they ?
Hello, I'm delighted and amazed to say that I graduated from Couchto5k this morning and would love to have a shiny graduate badge next to my name. Thank you!
Hi...I did my graduation run this morning aka my victory lap! Please may I have a Graduate badge next to my name? Couldn't have done it without all the support and motivation from this page!
Hi Ladies and Gents in admin land. Today 18th May, Hatman completed W9R3, completing a ParkRun in 46’48”. Please enrol me in your graduate list. Thanks to you all for your words of wisdom during the past months. I look forward to the next steps on my continuing journey to fitness.
Hi, have just completed c25k!!!! 19th May, username Lola73. Have enjoyed (nearly) every minute and am determined this is now a new way of life for me. Thanks so much for the forum, tips and support, will stay tuned 😊👍
Thank you for doing that so quickly. Loving my new found graduate status 👩🎓. Very grateful to you and all the administrators - this forum is fantastic! 😊
Hello Realfoodieclub, I wondered if I could have a graduation badge please? I finished run 3, Wk 9 today. Hooray! It was actually the second time that I have finished the programme; I finished last time in Feb 2018, but didn’t ask for a badge.I then hurt myself, ended upon the injury couch long term, before starting again in Feb 19. I’m so pleased that I’ve done it! Upward and onward! RunGG2018
Yahoo, I've just graduated, ions123, I'd like to give a special mention to my running companion, who has joined me on every run, with total enthusiasm - my dog, Pip. He's been great and kept me going
I did it! I did it! If I've ever earned anything in my life it's that graduation badge! W9r3 this morning in the beautiful sunshine on the last day of my holiday in Wales. And I managed to cover 5.1k too! 🌞🥵😁
Hiya I’ve completed my W9R3 and feeling great!!! Now look forward to get the graduation and keep it going. Thank you for this wonderful app that made it happen.
Hi there. The badge is a virtual one it is a grey badge next to your name. If you are on the app you can’t see it but if you click on the link to the web page it is there 😀. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Congratulations and well done. Just realised what you mean, sorry. Your badge is there. Unfortunately it is not visible in the app have a look here and you will see it.
Hi . I was happy to complete run 3 week 9 today. Took me 5 months but did it. 3 runs a week with lots of repeated weeks. Have followed advice on posts. Thank you.
Have Graduated two weeks ago and running 3 times per week using last days session over again - Sarah Milligan got me through as I saw her live in Geneva just before I started this and I have a laugh each day when she encouraged me to get on. Please pass on my heartfelt thanks. Do you have a next steps app?
Hello I completed my c25k on Saturday username Inneedofmotivation, this is a great app yes it stops a few times but I always use a timer and map my run when I got to the 25 minute runs as a backup still in shock I can run for 30 mins non stop... I'm so proud of myself... have signed myself up for my first 5k in June , off on a city break then when I come back I'm joining my local park run. I go to the gym 3 times a week and thought I was fit enough but running fit is a whole new ball game... I no longer hide in my local park, at the wooded part doing my walk/run or up at 6am so no one can see me. I was always embarrassed in case people thought I was so unfit walking and running but you learn not to worry about others that your doing this for you. Can't recommend this enough. Thanks again
Hopefully43. Finally completed week 9 run 3 this morning. Would never have thought when I first started 9 weeks ago that I would get here and enjoy it 😊
Thanks for this! I knew I would be desperate for my graduation badge so Ive already designed and ordered badges for myself and my running partner on Amazon! We're both so proud. IM hoping they come in time for her 68th birthday
Hello. I completed my final run yesterday - so pleased and proud of myself! username Bishy90. My husband also completed his at the same time - username Bishy91.
Hi just finished my week 9 runs. Can’t believe it but even ran for a further 2 minutes at a faster pace than I’m used to, and uphill! So pleased C25K was recommended to me! Hoping I now get my Graduate badge!
Woohoo I graduated on 24th May. Just in time to celebrate over the bank holiday 🎉 I only managed two runs this week but am determined to keep it up 😊 Thanks to everyone for the support, tips and motivation
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