No, YOU said you'd finish today, whatever the weather

[arbitrarygenius]

Just did final week 9 run, despite the rain - and honestly the rain was kind of nice. Really glad I didn't let it put me off. Now to keep it up and see if I can (eventually) get to 5k. But I'm just going to run 30 mins at least through August and see what happens.

Thanks to everyone for all the support throughout. I started as someone who cycles a little but hasn't run since they were 16 (and I'm 49 now for reference). I've still got weight to lose, but just being able to run 30 mins is such an achievement, I feel fitness is possible now!

[Annie83 Graduate]

Well done to you, are you gonna try c210k next?

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to Annie83]

Well, I only got to just over 3k, so first I'll get to 5k. But 30-45 mins is about what I can fit in with work so I'm not sure I have any loftier goals. If 30 mins EVER feels easy, I might revisit that statement though!

[BarbieW Graduate]

Very well done you - doesn’t that feel grand?

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

It feels like I should have come home to a banner and a cake. Hah! But yeah, now it's pushing myself to keep going and I'm kind of looking forward. Already have plans for a new pair of running shoes as a celebration.

[BarbieW Graduate in reply to arbitrarygenius]

Do go get your graduate badge by posting in the pinned post on the right hand side. And wear it with pride

And new running shoes sounds a great idea to celebrate, but don’t forget the gait analysis.

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Roger that

[Zebadee1 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating! I think getting up and having a go whatever the weather is more important than completing the 5km.

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to Zebadee1]

Yeah, it's important for me since there are days I just can't go, workwise, so getting into the "I'll do these days whatever" has been important (though I did skip Thursday because that heat.. would have hurt me)

[Granspeed Graduate]

Brilliant! 🎉👍🎉🎉 Congratulations on your wonderful achievement. That sounds a sensible plan going forward, but for now just enjoy the glow of success! Well done you! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[backintime Graduate]

Well done ! Don't forget to ask for your badge !

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K with week 9 run 3 and graduating, well done 😀 🏃 🎓

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 🎓 🏃 😊

[damienair Graduate]

Well done and congratulations on your graduation from C25k. Your plan to run 30 mins all through August is a good one. Try a parkrun too for fun. You can run and walk. That way you’ll do your 5K, get a time and it will spur you on.

I’ve been running for 2 years now. Like you I wanted to lose weight. It’s 90% diet related and your head needs to be in the right place for it. I lost over 2 stone in the last 7 months and as a result running has become so much easier and fun.

Well done again.

Damien

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to damienair]

We DO have a parkrun very close to the house. Also well done on that weight loss! I've lost 40lbs since last October, mostly through diet, but it stalled a bit in May and that's when I decided to add running - I'm hoping to lose more and get that easier running.

[damienair Graduate in reply to arbitrarygenius]

Wow that’s an amazing weight loss already. Excellent. I’ve lost 30 lbs, I have about 7 lbs to go to get to my goal and be in a healthy BMI range. I was just 3 lbs off my goal in the beginning of June before I went on a 11 day holiday to Spain with my family. I only have look at bread and I put on weight. I managed to gain 9 lbs in 11 days and I ran 5-6k every second day. I’ve lost 6 lbs since coming back and I want to lose the last 6-7 lbs in August. The last bit is bloody hard to shift.

Damien

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to damienair]

I probably have at least another 40lb to go, which is awful to admit - but hey, I'm trying and the running (and accompanying care for diet/hydration) has started the downward trend again, so now I just need to stop pretending it's muscle gain and look at what I'm eating again. But I'm taking the weight loss slowly, like I take the running. I'm still amazed I did all 9 weeks without repeating any, given my weight and lack of general fitness when I started.

The last bit of weight is absolutely the hardest to shift, but you will absolutely get there and to even get to within 3lbs of your target is amazing.

[damienair Graduate in reply to arbitrarygenius]

Thanks. Best wishes to you on the rest of your weight loss journey. You’ll notice that running gets so much easier and so much more enjoyable as the weight comes off. You’ll love parkrun.

Damien

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Well done ag- fantastic achievement!👏👏👏🏆 definitely think you should celebrate somehow, either with 🍰 or 🍺!

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Both? Actually the rain means I'll probably have a quiet day and celebrate later in the week!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing c25k you must be so pleased well done 😊😊👏👏

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Congratulations

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Brilliant ! Well done you 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ !

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Very well done on your fantastic achievement! 🎉🎉🎉 The only way I managed 5k was bt doing Parkrun, but that was after three week’s consolidation.

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

There's one very close by I have my eye on, considering Sep for it.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to arbitrarygenius]

Go on the website and register for it, so you’re good to go. 😊

[JSH1710 Graduate]

That’s brilliant! Massive congratulations, and the weight loss is amazing.

Do try the Parkrun, we did our first one yesterday and I can’t recommend it enough.

Keep up the great work 😊

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to JSH1710]

Oh you are all making me consider parkrun now. Hah.

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Oh wow amazing, well done! Fabulous to hear, you must be so so proud of yourself!

[arbitrarygenius Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

I'm stunned, but yes, proud also.

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to arbitrarygenius]

So you should be! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Comfortnotspeed]

Massive well done 👍👏👏👏👍