Graduated!! London Marathon here I come!!

[Littlegem2107]

Hey everyone,

I still can’t believe it but I’ve done it!! WK9R3 complete!!

I’m so pleased I can honestly say I NEVER thought after puffing and panting my way through 60 seconds run (and having to literally lie on the grass at the end, feeling like my legs don’t even belong to me) that I would manage 30 minutes non-stop even once but I have!!

Anybody who is just starting out or is struggling, PLEASE don’t give up - honestly the first few weeks were the hardest for me but its soooo worth it and really prepares you well for the longer distances. The support on this forum has been amazing and thank you so much to everyone who has read and commented my posts and encouraged me not to give up. You are amazing people.

As the title of my post suggests, I’ve signed up for the 2020 London Marathon and omg it’s scary but I just keep thinking I didn’t think I could do this in 9 weeks so if I keep building on this, I know I can do it! Might be the last one to finish with them clearing the course around me but hey I’m not planning on breaking any records (hopefully won’t pick any up for longest time to complete it either 🙈😂) but we’ll see!

I’m doing it for an amazing charity - Meningitis Now- who have helped my family so much after losing my (step) Granddaughter to Meningococcal B in March this year and want to raise as much money and even more crucially - awareness of this devastating disease.

If you have a young child or relative born before September 2015 they will NOT be covered for Type B unless you have paid privately for it - all babies started to be covered for it from September 2015 but Evie missed out on this by mere months and we’d never even heard of Type B until she contracted it and passed away less than 24 hours after being diagnosed in hospital.

Anyway apologies I went off on a bit of a tangent there but thank you for reading (if you have got this far)! and I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey and for the future 👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏆xx

[Hidden]

Congratulations on graduating , and what a fantastic charity to be running for at next year's London marathon 👏. You should be so proud of yourself👌✌

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much and well done you too!! You’ve smashed it and should be proud of yourself too!!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing c25k you must be so pleased well done and good luck for everything you now want to achieve 😊😊👏👏👏👏

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks very much and thanks for all your encouragement along the way 👍🏻🤗

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K with week 9 run 3 and graduating, well done, interesting post from you.

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE next to your username leave a message on the July healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃 😊

Good luck for training for next year's London marathon. 😊 🏃 🎓

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you and thanks for wishing me luck for next year, I’m certainly going to need it!! I have just put a post on the July page 😄

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Littlegem2107]

👍

[backintime Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating. You should be proud.

Wow, the London Marathon, and a great cause. I'm sorry a family tragedy was at the root of your choice of charity.

Keep us up to date of how your training goes ? It would be interesting to follow

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you very much. Yes it has been a horrendous time for us all - it came totally out of the blue. I am determined to finish the marathon and raise awareness and funds so fewer children and their families have to suffer what we are going through.

I will definitely post training updates now I know people would be interested to them. All the best to you and thank you again x

[LUHAN Graduate]

Brilliant! Xx

[Ckj06 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating.

So sorry for your loss. I wish you luck in your marathon training and raising awareness of type B and of course lots of lovely money for this very worthy cause. Keep us updated on your progress

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Ckj06]

Thank you very much for replying and your condolences. I’ve no doubt it’s not going to be easy but wanted to really challenge myself and go all out and hopefully good will come from it. I will get round no matter what. Will post on here how it is going, thank you x

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

Well done on graduating and what a great thing to do - I’m really sorry to read about your’s and your family’s loss 🤗☹️ x

I’m sure you will raise loads and do well in the marathon - I’ve always admired anyone taking part in such events x

Good luck and please keep us posted on your training and completion 🤗 x

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Bluepup1]

Thank you for your reply and condolences, I am going to do everything I can to build on C25K and give myself the best possible chance. It’s a huge challenge but as long as I work on my mental strength/mind over matter as well, I am confident I will do it. Thank you for your encouragement x

[alisonr54 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating 😁 and good luck with your marathon training. We will all be cheering you on next year!

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to alisonr54]

Thank you very much, if everyone’s support is as great as it has been on my C25K journey, that will be a huge boost to me, I’m sure x

[notquiteretired Graduate]

congratulations graduating Littlegem2107, well done 🙌🏅🍾🏃‍♀️

[Littlegem2107 Graduate]

Thank you very much and also thanks for the help and the work that you put into the forum x

[Comfortnotspeed]

Brilliant inspo! Go you !!!

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Thank you so much x

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Fantastic achievement and such positivity! Good luck for your future training- I’m so so sorry for your loss and I do think it’s wonderful that you are putting your newfound running skills towards helping others. Inspirational x

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Thanks so much - I’ve been a ‘negative nelly’ for most of my life and made the decision to be more positive about things going forward. This is a huge challenge for me but I know I can do it.

I read something the other day that really stuck with me and it was along the lines of ‘the mind tells the body what it can or can’t do, not the other way round’ and I really felt that. Thanks again for your kind words x

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Littlegem2107]

That’s a very thought provoking saying. And it does seem like running helps people to be more positive! Good luck x

[Clairecandothis Graduate]

Congratulations on reaching your first running milestone and for also raising awareness. I am so sorry for your loss but your grandaughter Evie will run alongside you on the London Marathon and I think you will surprise yourself with how well you do. Inspiring. Lots of love xx

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to Clairecandothis]

Thank you so much - I’ve been overwhelmed with all the kind words and support from everyone. Evie will definitely be with me all the way and the more awareness for parents and funds it raises for this amazing charity can only be a good thing. Thank you for your reply x

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Well done you, and what a brilliant next target. Keep us posted !

[Littlegem2107 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you very much! It’s not going to be easy I’ve no doubt, but nothing worth doing is. I’m aiming high I know but my mind is the only barrier and I will beat any negative thoughts into submission! Lol x

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Littlegem2107]

Yes you will ! And we’ll be right here cheering you on x