W9R3 done. Yeehah!!

[Puppy-love]

I started this adventure on 6 July and can’t quite believe that I’ve really done it. Not 5km yet but that’s my next goal. I’ve got so much out of this experience so far.

I’m much fitter and my body is changing shape.

I’ve lost no weight but that’s a big win as this journey has spanned two weeks of eating copious amounts of pasta, pizza and ice cream in Italy and a very prolonged 60th birthday celebration in London.

I’m still running early in the morning but now it’s just to avoid the heat and not because I’m worried who might see me. I’m proud to be out there, wobbles, tomato face, built-in sweat tap and all.

Talking of wobbles, my sports bra is my new best friend. Oh no, wait, my beautiful ASICS are my besties. I wish I could wear them all the time.

My other bestie is my running partner. Juno (the dog), is now over her shock that Mum runs too and is coping well with being dragged out to run almost every morning by one member of her pack or another.

This forum is amazing. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m proud to have shared my journey with others on the same mission and I’m so grateful for the support, advice and kindness.

I’m looking forward to running in cooler weather. It was 23 degrees at 7.30am today but there’s a cold front on the way. I’m not putting on my running shoes again until Tuesday when we’re promised a chilly 24 degree maximum which should mean 17 or 18 when I run.

Apologies for such a long post. I’m just so happy to have got here, I wanted to share my joy with you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 😘😘😘😘🐕🐕🐕🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

What a lovely post!!!

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for your kind words and all the links. I will read every word. Most of all, thank you for all the time and effort that you put in to this forum. Your wise words, research, support and encouragement make a massive difference to all of us who are lucky enough to experience it. 🙌

[Buddy34 Graduate]

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

Well done to Juno also 😊🐶

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Juno says thanks too. 🐕🐕🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Annieapple Graduate]

A lovely inspiring post that tells it as it is!! We are proud of you & you encourage us to keep on, keeping on as we head to that same goal! Thank you. Enjoy your victory 🎈🎉🥳

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you for your lovely words. You’ll be there sooner than you know it.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good post from you Puppy love, no need to apologise, congratulations on completing run 3 of 9 and graduating from C25K 🎓 🏃 😊 well done

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

I am not at a parkrun this morning, however, now that you have graduated, you could consider registering and taking part in one, that's up to you if course, once again congratulations 🎊 😊 🏃 🎓.

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you for being such a great support to all of us. I’d love to do a park run and will check out what’s nearby the next time I’m back in UK. And thanks for advice about graduate badge. I’ll do that now. 😊😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

👍 😊✔️

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

You are amazing! Well done, I’m so so happy for you - you’ve done brilliant - keep posting, we want to see how you get on post-grad running! 🏃🏼‍♀️🥳🍾👏🏻

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Thank you for your selfless support throughout but particularly while you’ve been on the IC. Waiting for you to join us. 😊😊😘

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

😊😊😘😘

[Twinkle9 Graduate]

puppy-love. Many congratulations to you and what a fabulous post, very inspiring. 👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Twinkle9]

Thank you, Twinkle9. You’ll be here very soon too. I’m looking forward to congratulating you. 👏👏😘

[Mark1909 Graduate]

That is fantastic you have done amazing ! Keep up the good work & enjoy 😊

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Mark1909]

Thank you. Very kind. 😊

[Manxmezzo Graduate]

I run with my dog too - he loves it ... at least I hope he does! In fact, I credit him with being the reason I keep running. Well done on all you’ve achieved!

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Manxmezzo]

Thank you very much. I think my dog loves it too. She hasn’t complained yet. 🐕🐕🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[AliHC Graduate]

🎓👟🏃🏼‍♀️

CONGRATULATIONS Puppy-love

You are one incredible lady! What a run you had today too! Truly inspirational! You have been one of my inspirations over the last few weeks 🤗 Thank you for being so encouraging. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

I look forward to seeing your future posts with 'GRADUATE' next to your name 🏆

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to AliHC]

Thank you my running pal. And right back atcha. You are definitely one of my inspirations. I’ll be cheering you over the finish line soon and we’ll keep going on to greater things. I meant to mention in my ridiculously long post that I followed your lead in not using the podcast/app for this run. I abandoned headphones completely because I’m sick of shoving them back in. Really enjoyed the sound of birds singing, the traffic, ambulance siren... I think I need new headphones. Cheering you on. 👏👏😘

[AliHC Graduate]

Oh that's just wonderful! So glad you enjoyed your final run! To me, it feels like a completely different run altogether without the app. I've got a pair of wireless earphones that I've used for the last couple of runs and they've made a huge difference too!

I was a bit slower on Run 2 today but, I ran for 36 mins before I even thought of checking the time! I ran just over 5k and listened to Craig Charles' Funk and Soul radio show 😁

Graduation run on Monday for me 😁

And to infinity and beyond for us both 🚀 xxxx

[CharliesMum11 Graduate]

Congratulations!

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to CharliesMum11]

Thank you. The support from graduates like you makes all the difference on this forum. 🙌🙌

[Goslow Graduate]

Congratulations Puppy-love 🎉🎉🎉 lovely post.. 👏 👏 have a lovely weekend.. happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😁

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Goslow]

Thank you. You too. Finish line is beckoning and I’m cheering you on. 👏👏

[Goslow Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

Thank you 😊 x

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Marvellous ! Well done you 🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️ !

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you.

[Papillon17 Graduate]

Congratulations and well done

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thank you.

[Sharrper]

Literally just joined and planning to start on Monday. Your post is the first I’ve read and it motivates and inspires me. Well done, and thank you.

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Sharrper]

What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. You’ll be great tomorrow. The hardest thing is going out the door for the first run. Once you’ve done that, you can do anything. Do use the forum for advice and support. You’ll never need to ask for encouragement: I t’s always here. I’m following you now and I’ll be watching you progress. Good luck, enjoy the journey and always remember that you’re doing this to improve your life. Happy running. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😊

[Sharrper in reply to Puppy-love]

Eek! A follower! Thanks so much xx

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to Sharrper]

😂

[backintime Graduate]

Congrats, lovely post and well done.

[Puppy-love Graduate]

Thank you. 😊

[FatterPenguin Graduate]

Well done Puppy-Love - running on holiday too is real dedication. Like you I'm looking forward to cooler weather and I'm extremely jealous you have a dog to run with. I love my cat but she's just not into running 🤣

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to FatterPenguin]

Thank you FatterPenguin. I do love running with my dog. She’s very considerate - usually having her poop during my warm-up walk - though she does sometimes abandon me to run with faster runners. My last cat was a gorgeous chap but running only happened when he heard the food cupboard open. Lovely to have your cat welcome you home after your run.