I Graduated yesterday!

[Runivate]

Long-time lurker, but just had to share that I graduated yesterday. I had a three-week setback at the end of Week 2, so started afresh from Week 1 when I got over the injury and so glad I did it.

I genuinely thought the idea of me being able to run thirty minutes non-stop was beyond hope, but fair play... This plan really does make it work. W9R2 felt really tough, just one of those runs where I guess I just couldn't get into the flow, but that Graduation run was a breeze and my god I loved every minute. Sounds right sad but it has been that long since I really achieved anything for myself that I felt such a buzz at that moment Jo Whiley called time on my thirty-minute run. I could feel a tingle in my cheeks!

Thank you for the community here who unknowingly kept me focused and committed, allowing me to really fall in love with this newfound hobby. My first Parkrun is this Saturday, kicking off things as a tourist as we're away this weekend. I really can't wait!

Thanks again all, and to all just starting out and needing the encouragement, believe me... It has blown my mind that this programme got me to here, not just running thirty minutes, but breezing round by the end of it! The fitness side of it has been a huge plus, but for me the real reward has been the mental release it has given me. Never let me lose this momentum.

Please offer your advice in what to do now I'm done. I've booked up for a 5-Miler in January to work towards. I'm leaning towards the Bridge to 10k, but is there a Podcast for that? I'm worried I'll miss my Jo Whiley! Ha!

Keep kicking, all!

[Hj27]

Love this! I’m on week 2 and still can’t believe I’ll actually be running for 30 minutes so your post is really inspirational...thanks for sharing!

[Runivate Graduate in reply to Hj27]

Only feels like yesterday I was right there. I've just been through my Strava history and even my first round of Week 2, the week I injured my back, feels like nothing ago. I was convinced then that 30 minutes was pure madness. One foot in front of the other!

[Hj27 in reply to Runivate]

Definitely! Well done on graduating 😊

[Runivate Graduate in reply to Hj27]

Thank You!

[Jell6 Graduate]

Congratulations 🍾🎈🎉🎊🎉🎈🍾

Don't let this be your first and last post!

Consolidate your runs for a few weeks before trying to step up the pace or distance, and then you can slowly start to increase your distance if you want to (by 10% is a safe amount)

Enjoy the feeling 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing c25k you must be so pleased . For the next few weeks just continue with running 30 minutes 3x per week. Well done you 😊😊👏👏

[Mrsrun Graduate]

Well done.. I am relatively new and your positivity is catching...

[CrimsonMama]

Congrats! Loving the pic btw! It is an awesome program isn't it? I love my running even when some are harder than others!

After I graduated I just enjoyed the freedom of running. I would walk 5 mins them set timer to 15 mins, run, then turn around when the timer went and walked 5 mins home. Gradually I just increased my running. I would do the 15 mins out but on the return I would go past the stop point if I felt like it. Recently I have done 8.67k so I am purposely aiming for 10k now. I must say the longer runs are EVEN MORE enjoyable! I def recommend it! But no rush!

[bananahead Graduate]

Awesome, well done especially as you had an injury early on. I still listen to the week 8 or week 9 runs sometimes, it helps to have a little voice in my ear.

Enjoy your Park run, and please keep posting.

ps, great victory photo.

[Adsum Graduate]

Congratulations to you, Runivate, YOU did it. 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🥇👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[MutleyShuffle Graduate]

Oh the joy in those eyes! Huge congrats! 😁👏🎉

[steviej99 Graduate]

Well done Runivate that's brilliant - yes the plan is great isn't it. I know that we are all at at different ages and levels of fitness so i'm reluctant to give advice but... the only thing I would say is take it easy, there's no rush and this is the start of your running life! You know the impact injuries have so that's the key thing to avoid. Stick to your rest days, dont increase your running or speed beyond 10% per week max and consolidate at 30 mins or 5k until you are really comfortable. I think parkrun and the volunteers that run it are the just great and use that as my "anchor" and motivation for my weekly running.Sorry to go on so much but I got injured just after graduating because I didnt follow my advice and now I'm fit again and loving it. Enjoy your running!

[Kevtrev]

Well done to you and yes the program really does work it’s a fantastic feeling completing it a massive congratulations to you you look so pleased with yourself and you must be so proud of yourself 😉👏👏👏👏👏👏🏁🏆🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🏅👍🥇

It’s great you’re doing a park run take your time with the run first park run that is you don’t want to burn yourself out it’s not a race so enjoy yourself 👏👏😉

I did 6x30min consolidation runs and park runs for a bit but if you want to improve your pace the only thing that will improve it is distance running at the moment I’m doing 10K training and I’m on W12R2 next it’s on a app called 10K it’s by zen labs it’s free and carry’s on from C25K it’s a 14 week plan but starts on W9R1 there is another plan on bridge to 10K it’s called JuJu’s magic plan a lot of people do that but it’s up to you but you have plenty of time before you even get to this hydration is the key as well as stretching before and after and strength training and to have a goal like an event I did race for life 5k you could do something like this having goals gives us something to focus on and just enjoy yourself and your journey well done you 😉👏👏👏👏

[Irish-John Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!!!

[Runivate Graduate]

Thank you for all the feedback guys.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Cantstopmenow Graduate]

Well done. I've just read both your posts and you're inspirational. I hope you will continue to contribute here. I watched acquaintances do c25k and go on to 10k, while i still sat on the couch! I finally got my act together in April and completed the programme in June. I'm doing jujus magic plan and have joined a 5k improvers group at our local sports centre. Hopefully this will keep me motivated over winter. Happy running - don't lose the joy! 😊

[Papillon17 Graduate]

Congratulations and well done it’s a great feeling celebrate and then consolidate