I am immensely proud of myself which is something I find very difficult to say, but I was a non-runner, I hated running, cross country at school was my idea of hell. But I’ve graduated and can run 30 minutes non-stop. I’m slow and nowhere near 5k but I have done it!!
This programme really works, not only have I achieved the running time but I’ve actually enjoyed it, dare I say I may be slightly addicted. So much so I only had one rest day before today’s run when I know my body performs better after two rest days. It’s not an easy road, there have been some bad runs, stitches, muscle pain, failed runs (though they still count) that I’ve had to repeat, gritted teeth and tears of joy at what my body can now do. I feel slightly leaner, stronger and fitter, but I think most of all I feel happier and more content than I have in a long time.
My next goal is to get to a point where the 30 minutes feels comfortable 3 times a week and push onto the 5k distance. After that, who knows? I just want to thank all the people who have offered support and advice on here, it really means something and makes a difference.
Written by
Maverickrun
Graduate
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124 Replies
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What a great post!
This is a milestone run and so richly deserved! Enjoy your evening 🍾
A very inspiring post from you Maverick run, 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 🎓 🏃🏾 👍, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement, perhaps order a takeaway, they are now open.
Thank you very much for this wonderful post, Maverickrun, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!👍🥂🎉 I will do this run tomorrow and can't wait as I am so excited and enthusiastic about graduating. I could barely stop myself from running today but as I only did W9R2 yesterday I told myself that it would be really stupid to risk not finishing that run just because I didn't manage to wait one day and allow my body the rest it needs. So tomorrow will be the day, most likely in the morning, though, instead of the evening as usual. 😁 Enjoy your amazing success and your next runs as a proud graduate!
Congratulations- hope to join you tomorrow as a graduate!! 😬 I think I will join you in trying to get to the 5k distance - but enjoying getting out and doing exercise.
Congratulations Maverickrun. Such a great feeling to have completed the programme. I completed it 2 days ago. My next run will be Tuesday. I think it’s important to keep up the continuity, before it starts to feel easier not to bother. The programme has been a fantastic way to build up gradually, as I’m sure I would have gone out doing too much too soon and either injured myself or given up by now. Well done, wishing you a happy running future. Keep it up.👏🏻👏🏻
Tuesday is my aim too, im going for 30 minutes at least and try to start feeling comfortable at that distance then move to 5k. I definitely need a goal to work towards.
Loved this post. I started (into week 2) just before covid and was enjoying it, but felt intimidated by huge increase of fit people exercising by jogging. Feel dumb but that’s the truth. Enough for me to lose confidence and feel insecure and a failure (at some level).
Have now decided to give it another go. Your post was the perfect one for me today, and really made a difference. Thanks so much for sharing!! 😊👍✊
So glad you are going to give it another go. Despite the number of people you see jogging think of the thousands who are just sitting at home on their sofas
Good for you. I'm lucky to live in a village where it's possible not to pass any other runners - it would have been harder elsewhere for those very reasons. You might be able to choose your route carefully, or the time that you run, but otherwise ignore them and keep going. Everyone I did pass was super-friendly!
Go for it. I have been overtaking by faster runners and sometimes struggled to catch up to walkers but nobody has done anything but smile as I jog past. So many people will be wishing they had that motivation.
I know the feeling so well. W1 R1 I changed direction because a family were walking towards me. Then I thought if I'm to get through this I have to be more resilient. Here's how I resolved it on my head..."the person or car passes on a split second..you have left their thoughts...you however are on a longer journey..so stay safe, strong and positive". 🍀
Brilliant well done and indeed you should feel proud. It’s amazing isn’t it on week one you never think you’ll make it and when you do it’s fantastic. Keep up the great work
Congratulations! You must feel great having achieved this goal. I’m a couple of runs behind you having just had three weeks out with an ankle injury but completed W9R1 a few days ago and am back on track. I’m putting three rest days between runs until I can see a physio but I can’t wait to graduate.
Well done, I find two rest days between runs is a must now they’re longer. I’ve got an ankle niggle that plays up from time to time so I’ve had to rest more than i wanted to. It made my progress slower than I wanted which was frustrating but if I’d pushed I would have struggled to complete the course and may have given up. Good luck with the remaining runs and the injury
Many congratulations MR - feels like graduating into a whole new way of life, doesn’t it? Have a great time with your post-grad running, and keep posting!
I can hear In your voice the relief that you made it ! , such a satisfying feeling for you . Great to know you are slightly addicted , I think thats the idea to sort of fall in love with that feeling of euphoria after your run , well done , rest for now but get back out there soon , be proud
Thank you, relief is a good word for it, I doubted myself so many times but I still went out and tried. As a result I’ve surprised myself so many times
Well done! I know what you mean about being a little addicted! Hope to graduate myself at the end of this week all being well. Congratulations again and very best wishes. X
Congratulations 🎉 I graduated about 6 weeks ago and was a bit lost without the structure of the programme, but I’ve found the Couch to 5K+ podcasts really useful to help with pace, speed and distance. Happy running!!
As someone who has just completed week 1, this post inspires me. I also hated PE, cross country etc and am now heading towards 50 and very unfit. Thank you for sharing.
Well done. It’s a great achievement. I have just completed my 3rd consolidation run and I am so happy I downloaded the app and got started. It’s the best thing I’ve done in years 😃
Firstly well done on finishing the programme and now being a confident runner🥂Huge congratulations on your transformation. Also, thanks for inspiring the rest of us! Week 7 run 3 is my next run and whilst I'm finding the actual run enjoyable and manageable so far, I do struggle to motivate myself to get out there, taking 3/4 days between runs some times. You've encouraged me that it might still become second nature to me and I'll hopefully get to where you are and get that addictive feeling! I'm willing for that to come! Thanks for a great posting xx
I did find the longer runs quite daunting and that’s when I started to doubt myself and had a few ‘failed’ runs. Failed as in I didn’t complete the time according to the app but actually they helped me control my pace, learn how many rest days I needed and figure out how to push through when I want to give up. However, I would say confident is too far a stretch, perhaps cautiously optimistic that I can reach 5k. Just keep at it and you will get there.
Congratulations!!! Well done and revel in your achievement - regardless of how you got there you did and with bells on!! It is such a proud moment so enjoy!!
Congratulations, enjoy the achievement and build on it. I graduated nearly 18 months ago and what I still can't run 5k in 30 minutes, I can run a 5k. I lost my motivation, with working from home it became easier not to go out, especial as I enjoyed running with friends and that option was removed. However my running club set up a relay competition so in the last 3 weeks I have done a 1 mile run, a 10k and a 4 mile run, next week we have a 5k. It has kept me running despite myself, and meant that I have not slipped back into non runner status. Keep going it is worth it.
I don’t think I’ll ever run a 30 minute 5k and 10k seems so far out of reach at the moment. Lots to aim for. I have also joined a local women’s running group but so far a bit scared to say anything, obviously it’s all virtual at the moment. Keep thinking, just a few more consolidation runs to keep putting off actually running with a real life person, that’s scary!!
I had the advantage of doing the C25K with a running club, the first run of each week was with a coach and a group then 2 runs on my own. I enjoyed the C25K so much I did it again. I made friends within the group. I joined the club and did their improvers group which encouraged time on feet not distance so I would run once a week with a friend from C25K, once a week with the improvers group, which was all the train type runs (hills etc) and a parkrun or a solo run. My Friend and I got up to 1hour 30 at conversational pace. My 10k last week took me 1hour 42 mins and was really tough. But I am so proud that I didn't give up. That is the key, not how far or how long, but not giving up. It does not matter if you never achieve the 30 min 5k or if you ever run further. The thing that matters is not giving up on yourself. When we can once again run with others without behaving like they are lepers meet up with your running group. the mutual support is great for your self esteem and mental health and well as physical fitness. My running club is what is keeping me sane in these strange times. I hope you keep running and celebrating every new achievement. X
I echo your sentiments entirely - I've always hated running and would walk as much as I could during school cross country - hopefully without getting spotted 🙂
I'm now on run 1 week 8 tomorrow and like you am getting no where near the 5k mark. But I never thought I would be able to run non-stop for 25 minutes. Moreover I might actually be starting to enjoy this malarkey.
Congratulations and hope you continue to enjoy your running 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Well done you! Totally agree with everything you say. I finished last August, then had to take time off but restarted in March (at wk 5) and finished all over again and felt so proud of myself again. Slight issue at the moment, have broken my ankle! BUT I know the program works so in 6 weeks I’ll starts all over again. Keep going everyone Xx
I second every single reply here!! How do you feel a day later? Still buzzing?? An absolutely amazing achievement!! It sounds like you have a plan moving forward too. Enjoy you deserve all the congrats 🎉👏👏🤯
I graduated just into lockdown. I continued to run 3 times a week for 30 minutes but struggled without the structure of the app. I was way off 5 k at that point. After some advice on here I began to follow the time version of ju-ju's magic plan on Bridge to 10k but for the first three weeks I ran the same week twice. I've now ran 5 k twice taking 40 mins. I'm not sure I'll ever run 10k but running 60 minutes seems achievable. I would never have believed I could run 30 mins when I started. Have a look - it might give you something else to aim for 😉
Well done!!! 👟👟💪🏻💪🏻🥇. . I was where you are last year and 1 year on I’m still running. Built up to 10k slowly and reduced my times. I’ll never win a land speed record but I’m fitter and healthier than I’ve ever been.
Enjoy your graduate status !!! Well done fellow runner !!!
Slow and steady and build up gradually. Find Ju-ju’s 5k -10k plan on this forum and after a few weeks of consolidation start that. Even 1 year on I still only run every second day maximum.
When it restarts join a PARKRUN !!! The best and most friendly group of people you’ll find - all shapes, sizes and times.
Well done - I remember getting where you did today, it’s exhilarating isn’t it....brilliant. Enjoy the running, yes it’s addictive....but a really great addiction, really good for you👏👏👏🎉
Just like me nearly 2 years ago that was me you are now a runner sounds good a runner now you have the bug there's no stopping you now you will want bigger goals now I promise. Am ready now for my first marathon cant believe a marathon yeh 26miles sounds along way from you but you can get there just remember slow and steady that's what they keep saying on here but you know that it works so keep it up and see you at the finish line well done
Wow, just wanted to thank everyone for the responses, it truly is overwhelming to have so much support out there. It really makes a difference and I known there will always be someone around to answer my questions. I have read every single response and some comments will be with me as I start my consolation runs tomorrow giving me inspiration to keep going.
Well done, @Maverickrun. I could echo your post very much (Graduated a week ago last Friday). Just been out for a 30 minute run for the first time since then this morning. Harder to find the motivation now the formal programme is done but there's helpful stuff on Consolidation Club. I too am nowhere near 5K but it's something to aim at in whatever time I manage it. Keep running.
Congratulations and well done. Like you I was a non runner at school and cross country was my idea of absolute hell, I was always last or second from last. But I have taken this on and I am on week 5R1 which I did today. I am slow but I just go at my own pace and I can run for 15 minutes of course with the walks inbetween. I've still got a way to go but just taking one run at a time. Congratulations again x
Thank you, keep going and you will get there. I do believe this programme should be used in schools. How many people actually find cross country running natural??
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I only went and did it!!
W9R1 - I only went and did it!!!!!
W5R3 - I only went and did it!!!
I only went and chuffing did it!
I only went an' blooming did it!...
