Graduation run and a 5km under my belt - pinch me!!!

[Jamicharla]

I did it!!! I did it, I did it, I really, really did it!!!

Cannot even begin yo explain how delighted I am right now. Just completed my final run on the c25k programme and I feel awesome!!

So, the last 2 runs this week have felt like hard work... definitely achievable, but still jard work. I think some of that has been down to my general mood, but a little bit of apprehension about what next?! But I also feel like I have really been pushing to get as close to 5k as I could - I was never going to get to 5k in 30 but I wanted to do my best. So... wk9 r1 I covered just over 4k, wk9 r2 I covered 4.12k, but I also felt like I was really having to push through and that wasn't fun, so today I tried a different approach...

My final run on the plan... I wanted to enjoy it, right? So today I set off with the simple aim of doing just that - enjoying it! Took my pace a little bit slower, set off nice and easy and changed the music up... 10 mins and I was feeling gooooddd 👍.... 20mins in all going smoothly and come 25 mins I was feeling even better, bags of energy, taking in the scenery and just really enjoying the run... I had missed this feeling! And this is what we are doing it for right? To enjoy the run!!

So come the 30mins I had just hit 4k... the congratulations started but I didn't want to stop... last run of c25k... let's see if we can do it.... so I did, just kept my pace nice and easy and what do you know 37mins in and I had run 5km!!! I am sooo proud of myself! I really did it!! And if that wasn't great enough nature gave me a beautiful sunset as a reward!! Couldn't resist the pic!

So.... now I am buzzing and just looking forward to what is next! Read a lot on here about not pushing it too much, so I do think I will just stick to the 30 min consolidations for a bit, but definitely want to look at doing another programme after that! Any tips on that would be appreciated!

Anyway, massive thank you to this wonderful community for all your support and to anyone who is doubting themselves, trust the plan, trust yourself- you can do it!!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Great detailed post on your graduation run, you deserve to be very proud of yourself 🎓

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

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you!!! Can't wait to become an official graduate!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Congratulations what an awesome finish to the programme

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you!

[Carolsos]

Awesome 👍 well done, so inspiring! X

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to Carolsos]

thank you! This programme is brilliant, it really does work!

[HelenofTroy123 Graduate]

Yes!!! Well done - such an awesome achievement! And on a 5k no less! It’s been great following your journey, it makes me very emotional!! Well done again!

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to HelenofTroy123]

Ah thank you!! I know what you mean! Makes all the difference to see other people progressing too! You've done amazingly well! I've just got my graduate badge! So chuffed!

I'm still planning to stick around on here as I find it so supportive! Want to check out the consolidation support page too, so might see you there! Best of luck with it! We can do it!!

[Grannyasbo Graduate]

Brilliant achievement well done. Hope you’re celebrating you deserve it. 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏💪💪💪💪👍👍👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! Definitely glad for some guidance on what next!!

[Buzzybeeze Graduate]

Fabulous! Great story, well done!!

[Rtherk83 Graduate]

This is wonderful inspiration! I am due to complete my final run on Friday but have found the last 2 runs particularly tough, despite accidentally running for longer than 30 minutes a couple of times on week 8 when the app crashed! So I've been worried that I'm actually somehow making backwards progress this week... but reading this has inspired me to get in a good head space for Friday and just enjoy every minute! Thank you... and of course, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!! 🍾🎉🥂

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to Rtherk83]

Ah - glad to know its helped! Honestly it made ALL the difference to just slow down just a little and enjoy it all! And interestingly enough I was actually getting fractionally faster as the run went on without even realising - it just meant I had more energy to feel good and keep going - so in the end my average pace was exactly the same!!

I've found the guidance on here invaluable- just the odd little thing can change it all! Hope you smash it on Friday! Look forward to hearing all about it!

[Rtherk83 Graduate in reply to Jamicharla]

Thank you... fingers crossed! 🤞😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Rtherk83]

Hi lovely - we are running Friday 9am UK time/4pm Singapore time..... Its our graduation run too .... and would be fab if you could join us!.. well i say join us.. I mean run at 9am and then you can post on here!.. would just be fab to know you not doing it on your own... There's actually quite a few of us running .... some have already graduated but they want to run anyway ...

[Rtherk83 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Oh, that's so lovely and I really wish I could but I have to be at work at 9am so will be running at around 7am (UK time). But I will definitely be looking out for you afterwards! Good luck everyone. Xx

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Rtherk83]

Aww no worries - just thought i would offer it up Enjoy your run - will wait to read your post!

[Rtherk83 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Ditto! And thank you so much again. Xx

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate]

What a fabulous post!

Congratulations 🏃‍♀️🎉🍾🥳

[Busylady1 Graduate]

Well done great news!

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Brilliant!... so well done!

Love the photo ...and why not!... So you should!.. big smile is what we like to see!....

So chuffed for you ... and what an achievement!... 5k too!...

Sounds a dream of a run!... I've got mine on Friday and so hoping for a good one

Congratulations!... go and collect your badge!

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

All the best for FRIDAY! Will be thinking of you all! 🤗

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Jamicharla]

Thanks lovely!

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

Congratulations!!