Graduation - for the second time!

[Anneontherun21]

Yesterday I completed W9R3 with a big smile on my face. I completed C25k in 2018 but didn't keep up regular running after the first few weeks of consolidation. However, this winter I started again from the beginning, doing about one run a week as I lacked motivation to go out in the dark and the cold. Now, with lockdown, I've had no excuses and I got back into the programme properly and completed it yesterday. It's just as big a feeling of success as the last time. Thanks for all the encouraging posters on here. I'm determined to keep going this time. I only did about 3.something km in my graduation run, so my aim is to gradually increase until I'm able to do 5k and then I'll do a parkrun. To all those still on the programme - keep at it, you CAN do this!!

[Seaside22 Graduate]

Brilliant - well done! 👍👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Eralar Graduate]

That’s amazing, I’m in the same boat, I graduated in the summer 2018 but didn’t continue running. I’m now on wk4 again motivated by the lock down. This time however I’m doing the run outside (previously done on treadmill)

[BiscuitTinClarabel]

Well done! This gives me hope - I am in the same boat having completed (on a treadmill) a couple of years ago then let it slide. Restarted at run 1 yesterday and was shocked at how hard it was! Completing through winter is a great achievement!

[roseabi]

Congratulations, runner!!!!

Looks like you have a solid plan! Check out our Consolidation Club post for new graduate chat, and lots of ideas about where to take your running after C25K:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Getfitok Graduate]

Welcome back, well done you 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Rumour Graduate]

Well done, we had to do it twice too after a heart problem stopped me and my wife had a serious bleed in her eye! Both back now and running 3x5K a week and walking on the other days. But a question for you. Why wait till you can run 5K before doing a park run? (OK, they are closed at the moment) You can run, walk, wheelchair or hobble on crutches. Run as far as you can, walk recovery and then run again.

You will love it, you will make new friends, you WILL improve your times in amongst other people. We did our first Park Run before C25K and did under 45 minutes. That was walking and trotting. I now have a PB of 35:17 and at 69 years old and still with a slight heart problem, I think that will stay my PB! But that's ok, I am in it for the fun, companionship and friendliness, the joy of running in our beautiful country park, the family time it gives us (we all run, grandchildren and all) with the busy and hectic lives we all lead and of course the fitness to help us stay around longer for our grandchildren.

Come on, come join it and have a great time while doing your runs

[Anneontherun21 Graduate in reply to Rumour]

Hi Rumour, your story is inspiring indeed! Well done, and I'm glad you're enjoying your running and walking. I too walk with my husband on my non-running days - I realise we covered 3 marathons in the last month!

My reasoning behind my decision not to do Parkrun yet is that I feel lucky to have done what I've done with enjoyment and without injury or any major setbacks. My previous experience (when much younger) of running was of doing too much too soon, and not enjoying it. So I want to do Parkrun when I feel ready. The advice on this forum and on the app is to build up gradually and take rest days to help prevent injuries. It works so well for me that I aim to continue in that vein. Using this approach, and running just over 3km in 30 minutes at the moment (although I do question the accuracy of my iphone), it will take me a few weeks of consolidation before I start increasing my time and distance, and a further 5-6 weeks to increase by 10% per week to reach 5k. Then I will feel ready to run a parkrun, and the way viral things are going, that might just be when parkruns start up again! I know I could go out and cover 5k on a one off-basis, but maybe I'm naturally cautious and I do want to be 'ready' for it when I do go and do it. I have friends and family who do parkruns, and perhaps I felt a bit bullied into it too soon. I was no way ready at that time, so I have made my mark on the ground about my own terms, and it is a great next target to be aiming at.

Since there aren't any parkruns at the moment, it's all a bit academic, but I really do enjoy running in the park, on my terms, anyway!