W9R2 - 26 runs done- 1 to go!!

[Roadrunner65]

When I write it out like that, I cannot quite believe it. If anyone said to me 26 runs ago that in just over 2 months I'd be running 5K+ with comparative ease, I would have laughed them out of the room, and people who know me would have laughed with me. Who's laughing now eh? I am genuinely excited.

Tonight's run had an odd twist, with MJs voice. About a minute or so after he set me off on the 5 minute walk, he set me off on the 5 minute walk again! Odd I thought. Checked the phone, nothing amiss there. Then he sets me off on the run, then after a minute or so, he sets me off on the run again. This delayed repeat of each instruction/announcement continued. I decided I'd run until after the second one, that way, I'd probably run a little farther - no bad thing eh?

I felt great throughout -when MJ says 'you've been running for 10 minutes, if you're feeling tired, slow down...'. I wasn't! I felt great, feel great. I'm feeling a need to prepare an acceptance speech,that's how excited I am. I am excited to finish this thing, this thing that I intended to start 2 years ago but found the measliest of excuses not to. But here I am, proud as punch that I have just one more run to go.

Do I become a Graduate, or is there more to do, the Consolidation runs perhaps? I'll have a read through some of my predecessors' posts.

More importantly, much more importantly - now that I have been working from home for a few days, and the country is effectively in lockdown, the health benefits I see and feel thanks to this programme are indescribable. Wonderful for weight loss, superb for building strength, stamina and ideal for dealing with stress and anxiety - all of which are my (now diminishing) companions.

I urge anyone able to, to take up this challenge, do it for your own health, wellbeing and mindfulness. It is socially distant so you are safe and alone, but at the same time, not alone; you have this wonderful forum of friends to support you, who supported me. Please do it, now is the time to begin this.

Stay healthy friends - see you at the finish line

[Hidden]

Great post! You will Become a graduate after run 3!! Well done this far. One more run and the prize you richly deserve will be yours. After consolidation runs the Bridge to 10k programme is superb. Really pleased for you. You did it and you deserve all the credit.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you GTFC, much appreciated

[edwardkerrison]

Great post.

[karen50plus Graduate]

Congratulations BWhelan65 . I also have the final run to do this weekend. I agree it seems a bit stranger to think of myself as a graduate by Monday ( 🤞) . Agreed with all you wrote except the weight loss bit - I ve gained 6lb doing this running lark 😳. Hopefully the consolidation runs will get rid of it 🙈. See you on the finish line 👍

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to karen50plus]

All the very, very best to you karen50plus. And thank you

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

The penultimate run bites the dust, roll on the big one! Well done and good luck 😁

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Thank you Wenderwoo, for your encouragement, I really very much appreciate it

[Centurions Graduate]

Great post, in fact I’ve read it a couple of times again because I can relate to everything you’ve said! Like you, I couldn’t believe it was possible to ‘become a runner’. I found MJ absolutely inspirational and even now (almost a year on) I still often listen to the C25K app just to have Michael’s encouragement in my ear. Since then, I consolidated and then did the Ju Ju’s Magic Plan to get up to 10K. I highly recommend it. However, I’ve learned that there are some basic tips that should ALWAYS be respected: 1. Always warm up and warm down. I do stretches, then a brisk 5 minute walk before and after any run. This has kept me injury-free for a year. 2. Don’t run consecutive days. The body has to recover when you’re a new runner like me. 3. If you listen to your body, you’ll know if you need to have an extra day or two’s rest. This may sound a bit strange but I believe I was meant to become a runner ahead of the current health situation because it is going to be my saviour. Getting out for a run now I’m forced to work from home, is my motivation to keep well and is helping me keep positive. Who would have thought a simple plan like the C25K could help so many ordinary people get so much enjoyment out of running? It’s absolutely one of the best things I’ve ever done, and as you say, the feeling of achievement you get when you reach that 5K target the first time is awesome. So keep running, keep enjoying and keep well. I thank my lucky stars every day that I took the plunge and have opened up a whole new world to be enjoyed!

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to Centurions]

Great advice thank you. Must look up JuJu plan, a few have mentioned this, got me curious now.

Much appreciated, thank you again.

[RunningT5k Graduate]

Lovely post and inspiring post, i love the support we get from everyone in this community.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to RunningT5k]

Thank you. It's a fabulous forum: I am not convinced I would, or could have completed this without it.

[Sybilw Graduate]

I remember that feeling as I’d done nothing just for myself for decades. Well done and enjoy your graduation.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

Great to know that we are not the only ones and support is there, thank you.