Wow. Wow. Wow 🍾🥳

[Nervousrunner]

Good morning fellow runners.

Amazing feeling. I've actually completed Couch to 5K. I set myself a goal of actually running 5K this morning. No matter how long it took me. With all my set backs with asthma, it felt important to me to actually finnish by running 5K. It took me 51 mins. So.....i'm super slow. But , I'm completely chuffed I managed this distance. Hearing Laura telling me I'd graduated, spurred me on.

Perfect conditions for running this morning. Sunny, with a lovely refreshing cool breeze. Due to lockdown, I have done the whole programme in walking shoes 🤣. So my graduation treat, will be gait analysis and a proper pair of trail running shoes. I will continue with consolidation runs of 30mins.

My aim? To over come crippling shyness and lack of confidence and join the local park run, when it restarts.

Thank you. For all the advice and inspiration on this forum. It is such a wonderfully positive and supportive community.

To all those, on the programme........you can do this ..you beautiful people 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Reggit Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating!!

5k is my aim for graduation day as well - about a week away in my case.

You’ll overcome your shyness, even posting on here is a start (I used to be just the same, in my case it was my job that got me through it as I have to talk to people I don’t know).

I’m intrigued at these park runs, but not sure I can easily get to one.

Anyway, go and bask in the feeling that you’ve graduated!

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Reggit]

Thank you so much. I dont know much about park runs either. I googled my local one. My next challenge is definitely to push myself out to join in life. And you're right. Posting on here. Was a big deal for me. Enjoy your final week on the programme. You will do it 👍🏼

[ForestGrump63 Graduate]

Well done x it took me 3 weeks of consolidation runs before I dared to increase my time to accommodate a 5k distance . Enjoy your new running shoes

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to ForestGrump63]

🤣 I will definitely enjoy. Actual running shoes. Although my old clodhoppers have served me well

[Leahp]

Well done, that’s fantastic. You should be super proud, I know I would be. I have just finish week 2 and feel like I will never be able to run 5k without stopping. Reading all the success stories though gives me hope. Well done again

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Leahp]

Run 1. I felt I wouldn't make it home😏.

You will make it through. Trust the programme 👍🏼

[happyleg]

I am so inspired by you, congratulations on completing, and also on being so courageous! I had planned to join Park Run before lockdown, but Laura and the music have done the trick! Determined to complete, just reaching week 3! 🙏

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to happyleg]

Well done. On getting to week 3. You're doing great. This programme is amazing. If you stick with it. You will get there. So much support and helpful advice on this forum too. Enjoy🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[happyleg in reply to Nervousrunner]

Thank you! Blisters, but totally loving it!

[EThomas Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation. Enjoy your new shoes. You will probably find a big difference.

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to EThomas]

Thank you so much.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K, well done, a very inspiring post from you, I hope you enjoy the parkrun when they resume.

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 🎓 🏃🏾 👍.

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I will. Thank you

[Gannet1 Graduate]

Congratulations Nervousrunner! 👏🏻🏆 Well done on graduating and completing your first 5K! 😊 Amazing you can run for 51mins already! 😀You’ll be setting new PBs all over the place when you get your new shoes! You’ll be flying! 👍 Enjoy your celebrating and happy future running! 😊🏃‍♀️🐢

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Gannet1]

I felt like I was walking on air on my way back🦋.thank you

[CBDB Ambassador]

Oh well done 👍🏽🎉💪🏃🏿‍♀️!!! I graduated last week and know exactly how you feel! Parkruns are also a daunting idea for me as I do like the loneliness of the early morning runs and also the anonymity within this forum. So I am not sure I am ready to ‘out’ myself in public in a park run, and I am not sure I’d enjoy it. But the idea of trying it out is tempting.

[Nervousrunner Graduate]

That is exactly how I feel too. I will definitely be getting a lot of consolidation runs in before. I launch myself publically. Prospect is terrifying. But I thought 1 run out of many as a park run. Maybe fun. .. I may hate it. And just be a lonesome runner. But. I'd like to try

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Huge congratulations on your amazing achievement 🏅😁👍⭐️🏃‍♀️. Well done.

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thank you. It feels surreal to have finally graduated after months of getting through the programme

[Thismumcan_run Graduate]

🎉 congratulations!

Gait analysis and new shoes will be very well deserved so enjoy treating yourself! 😀

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Thismumcan_run]

I really will. Thank you 😊

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

It took me about the same time to do 5K, but it doesn’t matter, you did it, congrats 🥳

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Dtay1978]

Thank you. I read your post for your week 9 run 3. It inspired me to try and do the same. Thank you 😊

[Dtay1978 Graduate in reply to Nervousrunner]

☺️

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Congratulations Nervousrunner, that’s a great achievement, firstly to overcome your shyness, get out there and do it, secondly in walking shoes😮 thirdly to reach 5k through pure grit and determination 💪🏻 get those proper running shoes sorted now, you’ll be amazed at the difference it’ll make.....enjoy your graduation day you’ve earned it 👏🏻👏🏻🏆🎉🎉

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you for the support ☺

[Shawny60]

Congratulations, so well done and really inspiring story.

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Shawny60]

Thank you. I'm really pleased if my experience of couch to 5K has inspired you, as I have been so inspired by other runners posts on here on my journey.

Enjoy running 😊

[RUNDMC1 Graduate]

Big congratulations to you and I wish you all the best with the running club. You have so got this! 👏👏👏

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to RUNDMC1]

Thank you for your kind words 😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

It may have taken you 50 minutes so to use your words you may be super slow... but I prefer to think of it as super fab!.... I need to tell you i reckon mine will start with a 5!...

Ps. Ive bought some shoes - probably earlier than i needed to but I'm old and creaky so needed to support my knees and back etc and give myself the best chance... and guess what?.. they are just the best thing ever! I had a gait analysis etc and I have a pair of On's - I wondered if they would feel much different.. Wow they do!... Enjoy your treat... you've deserved it!

Well done!.... I hope this gives you confidence! Just look what you have achieved!!

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you for your support. I have terrible overpronation so a good gait analysis and trail running shoe should be a fantastic difference. . I wish you well on your couch to 5K journey. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Weeks. 6 & 7 more post run 🤣

But weeks 8 & 9 I seemed to finally find my breath and pace. Happy running 😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Nervousrunner]

Thanks - week 5 was my nemesis.. but then week 6 also it seemed... back to the interval running and it really threw me!.... I went out yesterday for W7r1 and it felt amazing ... but i have been on this journey to not get too ahead of myself..... r2 could be completely different.....

I'm loving it.. as much for the forum, reading all the achievements of people.. its amazing!... so inspiring!

Get those shoe and off you go! Well done!

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

Well done you!!! I have one more run on Friday and u will have completed it too. I'm slow too as I have back injuries, but I'm told the time isn't important, it's stamina building and increasing your fitness.😁

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Timing is irrelevant. It's all about stamina. Think back to our early weeks. Can you believe we have the puff and the legs to do this?!

Enjoy friday. I will see you at the finish. Fantastic work..👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Joggingbottom Graduate]

Well done. Can believe you’ve done it in walking shoes. Trainers will be a delight for you. You should be very pleased with yourself. 🍾

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Joggingbottom]

I am so chuffed with myself. I sat in a field for an hr after my final run, grinning from ear to ear in disbelief. 😏

Now to consolidate all that effort. With at least 2 weeks of 30 mins runs. 3 x per week.

[Joggingbottom Graduate in reply to Nervousrunner]

Two runs left for me to graduate then consolidation but having knee issues which is delaying runs.... and that is in trainers. Maybe I should have worn walking boots! You are doing so well. 🏅

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Joggingbottom]

I'm sorry to hear you are having knee issues. So close to graduation too. Maybe. Rest up for a few days ? Frustrating....but better than risking injury, & being laid up for a long time.

Slower pace? I know I got a bit excited/ over confident in my week 8. and had knee twinges. So I found slowing my pace helped a lot.

Walking boots? Ha, ha. I wouldn't recommend it 🤣🤣🤣

[Reliclullaby Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K. Wow running for 51mins that’s impressive. I completed the program last week, I’m not at 5k yet and certainly couldn’t run for 51mins, I’m in awe of you. I’m a slow runner (well jogger or shuffler really 😂) and plan to build up to 5k over the next few weeks in consolidation. Well done, very impressive 👏👏🎉🥳

[Nervousrunner Graduate in reply to Reliclullaby]

Thank you. I cant quite believe I did it myself. When I think back to having to repeat from beginning to week 4. 3 x . As my asthma got the better of me. Then being on steroids . Resting for 3 weeks and starting from the beginning again. It seems like a miracle. But .....that is a testimony, as to how great this programme is. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️