Graduated!!! W9R3 done and my best yet !! 🏅

[PlymBorn]

Where do I start !! I am still in disbelief, that 2 months ago, height of lockdown, working from home, finding the days merge into one, saying “why don’t I do a bit of exercise”.

Well I’ve said on this site before, I’m not good at sticking to exercise, many a gym has done well out of my annual membership and seen me in there for less than a dozen sessions... so thought I’d do C25K.. it’s sunny, a lot of people talking about it and something to maybe achieve. So dusted off the trainers, downloaded the app and started W1R1.

Now W1 wasn’t easy ... hadn’t done much by way of exercise for years and being a “desk jockey” at work, life is sedentary. But I found this forum and the encouragement has been great.

The weeks rolled on and I was amazed that I was sticking to the program. Was keen for the next run ... missed running on the rest days. Highlight was W5R3.... 20 mins !! Wow ... me running 20 mins!

Had a couple of injury scares on the way, but the forum came to the rescue... great advice, tips, support, encouragement... simply brilliant.

And here I am today ... just graduated... after running 30 mins ... that’s what I said 1 min to 30 mins!!

On this journey, I have run 30 mins non stop, have just done 5k in that 30 mins, I feel I have more energy, I’ve lost 12lbs (which wasn’t even an aim when starting), am at my ideal NHS BMI weight for the first time in over 20 years, have a bounce in my step and feeling bl00dy brilliant !

Thank you C25K... thank you forum and forum members!

So what next ... back to the couch ?? .... Nah ! Consolidation time !

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Very interesting post from you, 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 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 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Excellent !

And 5k as well

The icing on the cake 😬👍👏👏👏🏃🏃🏃

Huge congratulations on your achievement.

Enjoy your graduation day 😬👍

[PlymBorn in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you !! Still beaming ear to ear ! My fingers are still crossed for your return to the program.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

Thank you !

So are mine , it's driving me crazy 🥴

[Natsuwa Graduate]

Congratulations,fantastic 👏👏🎉🏆👏👏🏃‍♂️ welldone you !

[PlymBorn in reply to Natsuwa]

Thank you 🙏.. am well pleased !

[TheTopSir Graduate]

Congratulations. I identified with so much of what you wrote from the sedentary start through the struggles to the amazements of getting through Week 5 and then achieving a goal in the one area of life (exercise) that I have not really achieved anything before. Well done PlymBorn and thank you to this forum. .

[PlymBorn in reply to TheTopSir]

Thank you for your kind words ... it feels very rewarding and the support from the forum has been selfless and amazing

[SJ60]

Congratulations! Such a great achievement 🙌🥂🥇 You’ve inspired me...three runs to go for me 👍 Enjoy your celebrations 😃😃

[PlymBorn in reply to SJ60]

3 runs ... you mean just 90 mins ... it’s nothing ... you’ve got this in the bag ! Go for it.

And thank you for your kind words 🙏

[Jools2020 Graduate]

I am so pleased to read this! Congratulations on your graduation run - and, wow, what a run! You really made it count! Not only graduating but one of the 10% who can run 5K! Not bad for someone who had (note the past tense) trouble sticking to things!

It’s an amazing achievement!!! It’s true that the program is magic and the forum so brilliant in offering encouragement and motivation (in turn, you have encouraged others) but the hard work has been yours! A HUGE well done to you!

[PlymBorn in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Jools ... really kind and inspiring words as usual.

I couldn’t believe how well today’s run went ... even with quite a strong head wind at one point. Didn’t look at my watch until the last 5 min call from Michael ... and thought I know I’m going to get to the end but I might be able to get a 5K in too, so kicked it up a bit ... really chuffed!

Already looking forward to Monday’s consolidation run ... thinking of a new route ... kept the same one from W8 as didn’t want to throw something new into what was proving a nice steady mix.

As for the forum ... couldn’t have done it without the advice and support, especially after 2 calf muscle worries ... which has seen new stretches being done and not even a twinge now.

This program is brilliant ... so well constructed... your turn next ...

[Tillybeach Graduate]

Ahh that's so amazing. Thank you for sharing. Feeling inspired

[PlymBorn in reply to Tillybeach]

Thank you 🙏... this forum is very good at inspiring others ... I see you are in week 8 ... hey, week 9 is only 2 mins longer ... less time than it takes a kettle to boil ! You’ve got this in the bag !!

[Busylady1 Graduate]

Very well done! 🎉💪🏼

[PlymBorn in reply to Busylady1]

Thank you 🙏

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Congratulations! What a moment! 🏁🏅🎓👏👏👏👏👏

Brilliant post!

Feels such a fab achievement doesn’t it..

Enjoy the day knowing you are amazing!

[PlymBorn in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you so much ... and for your comments and encouragement in the past.

It feels pretty dang good I have to say !

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

It’s a whole lot better than good! What you have done is amazing! Graduated AND did 5k - Such a milestone in this journey! 👏👏👏

See you at the consolidations 👍

[ForestGrump63 Graduate]

Wow congratulations

[PlymBorn in reply to ForestGrump63]

Thank you 🙏

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Well done 🥳

[PlymBorn in reply to Dtay1978]

Thank you 🙏

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Fantastic, how amazing to read your story I’m so pleased you stuck with it

[PlymBorn in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏