No fanfare - but I've made it! Graduation run.

[Chocs_away]

I started my C25K journey in May 2017 - it was a half milestone birthday and I thought I really wanted to feel better. I went to a running shop and ran on a treadmill in various shoes to find the right ones... Omg what a sweaty mess I was going to my friends house directly after.

Since then I've had 5 phases of restarting for various reasons.. Illness, family, Xmas... So I've completed a lot more runs than a straight path through the programme, but it's definitely made me stronger and confident . Each restart has been easier. I can still remember week 1 though!! Not wanting to be seen at all in running gear and driving away from the house to avoid being seen. This morning I walked down our main road in leggings and smiled and waved at people!!

In the last 3 years I've 'run' in Scotland (from cities to the Cairngorms national park), Hampshire, London, Brussels... The memories are all positive. When I started this, I originally wanted to graduate at an event - a park run, a 5k, a sunny Saturday and a meal out afterwards... I've realised that actually none of that matters. Just being out, in the fresh air, being myself and feeling well is enough.

So, 3rd 30 min run today. No fanfare. Not at the 5k distance, but continuing to enjoy it and get stronger - regardless of how long it takes. Best wishes to all with your own journey and thanks for the support the last 3 years x

(photo - the positive pebble I've left on one of my runs in recent weeks)

[Hidden]

Congratulations 🥇

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Rainn1 Graduate]

This is a really inspiring story of dedication and getting there one way or another - well done!

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to Rainn1]

Thanks, if it helps someone else too by sharing all the better

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

You have been around, running all over the place, well done and congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message on the June 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 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

What a heartwarming and inspirational post...congratulations on your graduation and for sticking with it...somewhere in there all this time there’s been a runner waiting to burst out...an, at last, the time has come and it sounds like you’re going to enjoy every minute...just for you! ❤️

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you

[SandraY1 Graduate]

👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🥳🎓

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That’s wonderful- very well done. Running is obviously calling to you because you have gone on persevering and making it part of your life. Enjoy the next part of your running adventure. 😄

I celebrated graduation by making myself a new playlist of favourite music - it made consolidation feel a fresh new phase. Also, don’t miss the consolidation group thread on here! 😄

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks, it's been quite on and off but seeing my trainers waiting for me has kept me restarting!

[Getfitok Graduate]

Congratulations! Great post 🏅👏👏👏