I've done it! C25K Graduation!

[mog7]

This morning I completed my third run of week 9! I am a C25K Graduate! I still can't quite believe it! 9 weeks ago I struggled to run for 60 seconds, and now I'm running for 30 minutes!

I just wanted to say thank you to all the lovely people on this forum for all your support. This is a wonderfully positive place and a huge inspiration!

To anyone just starting out on C25K, this is what I've learnt:

1) Take it slowly! Really!

2) Invest in some decent running shoes - they'll make a huge difference. They don't have to be hugely expensive - I've just got some lovely squishy Skechers Flex Appeal with the memory foam insole.

3) Did I mention taking it slowly?

I've had some tough runs, where I've found it really difficult to carry on, but sticking to the programme really does work! I've come from absolutely not running at all, to running for a whole 30 minutes, covering just over 3.5km!

Next up, I'll be doing quite a few consolidation runs - I don't want to push too hard too soon and end up doing myself an injury after coming this far... having said that, I'll be taking part in my very first Park Run this Saturday! (I expect I'll be doing a fair bit of walking for this one though, but that's just fine!) Wish me luck!

Thank you all again!

P.S. the one thing I still haven't learnt is how to do all the running and smiley emoticons etc in my forum posts, so if anyone can give me any info as to how to do those, I'll be eternally grateful!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

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

Good luck with your first parkrun, let us know how it goes

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you! Yes, I'll be back here after the run on Saturday! Really looking forward to it!

[sl42 Graduate]

Congratulations mog7, I’ve just completed my w9r3 today too - isn’t it great, we’re runners !

[mog7 Graduate in reply to sl42]

Thank you! Congratulations to you too! It's awesome, isn't it?

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to sl42]

Congratulations yo you too🎈🔔🌟🎉✅‼️

[sl42 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks Annieapple, I’ll be cheering you on over the next few weeks - go girl !

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to sl42]

Thank you‼️🌷

[Burl337 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K and becoming a runner! 😁

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Burl337]

Thank you! It's an amazing feeling!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations 🎊 👍 🏃 🎓 now go and celebrate 🎉 🎓

[mog7 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! I certainly will! 👍

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations! Celebrate well. Your plan for consolidation is perfect. You have the perfect attitude going into your first parkrun, walk some, run some... enjoy it all.

Love the fact that you’ve listed taking it slowly twice there, that is the message that got me through the plan!

Enjoy all your future running adventures

[mog7 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! Yes, I'm under no illusions that I'll be able to effortlessly cruise round on a 5k run just yet... a combination of running and walking at first will be just fine by me!

I agree, just slowing down the pace really makes all the difference, IMO. I felt so disheartened after my first failed attempt at W1R1, but once I'd got the pace right, my confidence grew as I worked my way through the programme.

Thanks again! 👍

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Excellent & a super post, thank you!

So happy for you 👏🔔🎉🌟🌟🌟🌟🎈🏃‍♀️🎉✅

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you so much!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Wayhay!! Well done on completion - onwards and onwards! 👏👏👏

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you! That's right, this is only the beginning!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[mog7 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! Looking forward to consolidating, and then gradually increasing my distance/duration of runs.

[Newtsandfrogs Graduate]

Congratulations, hope you are still smiling, see you at the Parkrun 😉

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Newtsandfrogs]

Yep, still smiling... see you at the Parkrun!

[Goslow Graduate]

Congratulations 🥳🥳🎉🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️👏

Happy running 🏃‍♀️ 😊

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Goslow]

Thank you!