W9 R1,2, & 3 (Journey of Rotund Runner)

[BeaglesEnd]

9 Weeks, 63 days, 1512 hours, 90720 minutes, or 27 runs. No matter which way you put it, it had been a long journey to graduation. And what a journey. Filled with pain, sweat, and the loss of 1.5 stone. I’ve had encouragement and support from family, friends, and my C25K buddies.

I’d like to thank all the wonderful people on this forum. It’s possible I might not have completed this programme without you. The experts, the newbies, the guys at my level. Thank you.

So what next. For me I’ll be completing the consolidation runs and then building towards completing 5k in about 40 minutes. Next, after that, will be the bridge to 10k. Then, finally, an attempt to complete the dream of competing in a half marathon.

I will continue to post updates on the forum when I need some support or impart the occasional bon mots as they occur.

Love you all!

Matt The Rotund Runner

PS I might explain my username someday, if you’re lucky!

[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.

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! It has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to BeaglesEnd]

A lot of us have said that..........life changing stuff!

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Definitely. I’ve had many sports injuries and was resigned that I’d not be able to find something physical that I could truly enjoy. I’d always associated running as punishment. 5 laps round the rugby pitch! Go! 🤣

[Mojojojo71 Graduate]

Yes, well done. Congratulations!!

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Mojojojo71]

Many thanks! Loved this last week.

[Mojojojo71 Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Me too. Did my first 5k proper this morning - took me 49 minutes! My new target will be to get the time down. Good luck going forward x

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Mojojojo71]

That’s brilliant getting the 5k done. I’m looking around 45mins to get my 5k done. I need to lose quite a bit more weight before I can improve that pace!!

[PeggySusi Graduate]

Wow! Well done.. not just the graduation but the weight loss too.. amazing..😊

But I have to say, I beat you on journey length as I joined last September and didn’t manage to graduate (30minutes not 5k) until May.. and I think it may be next year before I get to actually run 5k..😂

But you’ve gained a follower because I want to find out the reason for your name.. so I’ll look forward to your consolidation posts..

Enjoy your celebrations today, many congratulations..👍🤸🏾‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️😊

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank you. I’m certain that if the lockdown had not occurred I would not have achieved it. Silver linings! I hope the explanation of my username is not a disappointment. A little hint. It is science related!

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

I agree on the silver linings.. my first couple of weeks (when I finally got going on the plan after several false starts) was at the beginning of lockdown, at the crack of dawn, around an empty rugby club car park - very close to home, quiet and deserted.. at any other time I couldn’t have done that..

Something to do with giving up smoking then? Or ending animal testing?

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

No more hints. But, a little wide of the mark! 😜

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Ah you’re teasing now.. Do I get three guesses?.... something to do with the voyages of Darwin? So you’re evolving.. from couch potato to sprinter.. If it’s not that then I’ll just have to wait until you decide to reveal all..😂

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Clever you! 😉

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Haha.. thanks.. just like my running.. very slow.. but got there in the end..😂

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Many, many congratulations on graduating! It’s nothing short of an amazing achievement. Although you’ve disappeared lately, I have been thinking about you and wondering when (not if!!) you graduated. It has been an interesting 9 weeks! We have inspired and cheered each other on - and supported each other when runs haven’t gone according to plan. Hopefully that will continue into consolidation, but it won’t quite be the same as we have already succeeded. I shall miss this camaraderie. Good Luck, Matt, with consolidation and beyond! I have to wait until the end of the week to graduate, but W9 R1 went well this morning 👏👏👏🍾👍

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia. Congratulations on your first run of week 9. I know you’ll nail it and I’ll specifically look for your graduation post.

It’s been a tough couple weeks away from the road. Not directly for our family but those close to us. Also, I’ve gone back to work, part time, so the time I had available to provide the insight of my ambling shenanigans not been there.

It’s been a great journey and your support has been fantastic. Thank you.

[Busylady1 Graduate]

Well done! 🎉

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Busylady1]

Thank you!

[Overweightandunfit Graduate]

Congratulations - you've done it.

Welcome to the world of post graduation runs, a little different but still just as satisfying when you manage to gradually creep closer to the magic 5K.

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Overweightandunfit]

Thank you! I can’t believe we’ve both done it. All those weeks ago, I think was it week 3 when we connected? The rest of the week I’m going to just carry on the same route. Then next week I might do something a little different. Same length of time but just some different routes!

[Grannyasbo Graduate]

Wow. That’s amazing well done. Just what I needed to hear this news tomorrow you. Was thinking about my graduation run that I’ll do in a couple of hours and thought I’d check the forum for inspiration. And here it is. Happy to be celebrating with you. Love the name and clever Peggy for getting it.

Onwards and upwards and looking forward to joining you in consolidation runs. Yay woop woop hurrays 🎉🎉🎉🏅🏅🏅👏👏👏

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Grannyasbo]

Thank you. And this is why we post. I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve read about everyone going through the same struggles and doubts. We inspire each other!

[Foxyblue]

Amazing!!!! Been looking out for your post. Congratulations 🥳 look forward to hearing how your consolidation and training for that half marathon goes 🏅🏃🏼‍♂️

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Foxyblue]

Cheers! It’s great to be part of the graduate club! Never in a thousand years did I expect to be able to do it. Yet here I am with a graduate badge 😁

[Foxyblue in reply to BeaglesEnd]

I know exactly how you feel ☺️

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Your username is something to do with Britain space vehicle to Mars?

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to SandraY1]

Check out my comments with Peggy. She nailed it!

[SandraY1 Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Ha Ha Charles Darwin and his ship The Beagle.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Very well done 👍👏👏👏

Enjoy your achievement .

I had planned on graduating today also but unfortunately injury stoped me after week 8 run 1 but it's still good to read these graduation posts .

And to quote a well know actor / Body builder , I'll be back .

I wish you every success with your future running plans .

Not sure a half marathon would be a sensible target for me BUT, i certainly want to eventually reach 10 k .

I now just need to get my backside of this injury couch !

Good luck with your future runs 🙂👏👍

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you. So sorry that you had to stop so late in the programme. But, I really hope you can get back on it and it isn’t hasta la vista, baby!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Haha, I'll certainly be back , not gonna waste my running shoes and Garmin watch 😂😂😂

[BowlingT Graduate]

Congratulations! Amazing achievement x

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to BowlingT]

Thank you 😊

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate]

Massive congratulations, Matt! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Fifitrixiebell73]

Thank you! Not long before you join me. Looking forward to the post. Can’t wait!

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Thanks Matt, 2 to go...

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Congratulations 🎉👏

Amazing feeling isn't it?

Lockdown has forced do many of us to lace up and just get out there, myself included I never dreamed I would enjoy running like this 😁

Am into the 4th week of consolidation now and am at about4.6k in 38 minutes so there or thereabouts with you.

Happy running 🏃‍♂️😁

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

woohoo!....you have been missed.. and you have graduated!.... Well done Mister!

Onto the consolidation runs - think you may get to 5k before me.. and will certainly do a better time but hey ho... we are doing it!..

See you at the consolidations - chuffed for you to have completed it

[Eightpaws Graduate]

Congratulations!