Week 9 Graduation Run! ✅

Well, I’ve only gone & done it! I Graduated this morning! 🎓 Got up early to avoid the heat, even though it was 18 degrees at 7am! I’ve managed to run my furthest distance, 5.65km & my second fastest 5k, 26.28! I’m grinning from ear to ear!

I started this amazing plan on 7th April after having the app on my phone for about 7 months.

I was furloughed from work on 27th March & for the first few days I pretty much spent my days walking back & forwards to the fridge, to the point I was starting to get a tan from the interior light! 😂! I knew I wanted & had to do something and I’d heard about the Joe Wicks P.E lessons, so I gave them a go! I lasted 4 sessions, it wasn’t a pretty sight! (Though I can rock a mean spider man lunge, now!) just need the suit! 😂.

I asked my youngest daughter & my son if they wanted to join me on the Couchto5k plan, both looking at me like I was insane! Begrudgingly, they agreed to humour me, my boy lasted 1 run, but my daughter ran her first of Week 9, this morning, she’ll graduate on Tuesday!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who had liked, commented & supported me along the last 8 weeks! A special mention to someone who has been as good a coach to me as Jo Whiley,.......you know who you are!

I came into this with a base level of fitness from my cycling, which has been a big help, in regards to my cardio fitness, breathing & recovery!

Anyone starting out, this plan really works! The encouragement you will receive is phenomenal! Listen to the advice from the experienced guys & girls! They just want us to succeed!

Although I’ve managed to run every other day, & completed the programme in 8 weeks, there have been aches, pains, strains & doubts. You will notice improvements, week on week & some runs you will hate! ( one of my mine was the different socks issue on Week 7) I strained my groin 😂 on a bike ride, stopping for ice cream a couple of weeks ago & it’s still niggling, but ibuprofen has been my saviour & bike rides on some rest days!

I did a 55 mile ride, yesterday & even managed to fall off! (Grazed elbow, sore wrist & bruised hip, to add to the groin issue! Before my ride, I didn’t think I’d be able to even graduate today, but my cycling helps to loosen me up!

Anybody thinking of starting Couchto5k, with no fitness at all, you can do it! Start slow, & go even slower if you have to! Wherever you are on your plans, thinking about starting, just starting or close to Graduation, enjoy it & embrace it! The highs definitely outweigh the lows!

I’m going to try & consolidate to see my daughter through to graduation, but I need to get this groin niggle sorted! If I have to stop running for a while, & I have to start again, I’ll know that I can definitely do this again!

Enjoy your day! Keep smiling, keep running!

Mikey

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K in a excellent sub 30 minute 5k time of 26.28, more remarkable that yesterday you cycled 55 miles, sorry about your injury, nevertheless it didn't stop you from your graduation run, good luck to your daughter for her graduation run, as for your son😀

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message on the May graduate post in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you!

[Daisy-runner Graduate]

Congratulations, great story and great confidence boost to the rest of us ☺️

[Hidden in reply to Daisy-runner]

Thank you Daisy-runner! 👍

[CherryCore Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉

Ibuprofen, indeed, was helpful during my journey too 😂

[Hidden in reply to CherryCore]

Thank you! Ha ha! It definitely does! I feel like I’ve been kicked by a horse, now! 😂

[MMP175 Graduate]

Congratulations and well done especially with your injuries. Enjoy your weekend

[Hidden in reply to MMP175]

Thank you! You too! Hope you have sun ☀️

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Congrats 🥳

[Hidden in reply to Dtay1978]

Thank you!

[Bracken2018 Graduate]

Congratulations on your success, the best is yet to come as you continue your runs in consolidation club. 🐾

[Hidden in reply to Bracken2018]

Thank you! Hope so!

[SandraY1 Graduate]

👏👏👏🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉🥳🎓

[Hidden in reply to SandraY1]

Thank you!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Always nice to win a cyclist over.

Keep running, keep smiling

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! Much appreciated! Hopefully I can combine the two! I can run home when I get a flat or a mechanical 😂

[Equilux Graduate]

Only just seen this. Massive congratulations! You’ve certainly been through the mill with your various injuries, but you’ve kept going, and I’m sure you’re one of the fastest graduates. Your posts along the way have been inspiring, fun, and proof - as you say - that this programme really works and provides all the support and encouragement anyone could ever need. Well done, graduate!

[Hidden in reply to Equilux]

Thanks Boo! Your turn, next!

[Equilux Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’m right behind you! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Emcg51]

Fantastic! You must feel on top of the world! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ good luck to your daughter for her remaining runs 👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Emcg51]

Thank you! It did feel good! Your turn soon!

[Hidden]

What a great post. 🥳😄👏🏼

Big congratulations to you and to your daughter when her turn arrives. I hope it’s not too long before you are able to run and start consolidating your C25k. The Consolidation Club is a great monthly post to join and the advice is priceless.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!