Erm, I have actually finished... can't quite believe it!

[Bridgetlikessinging]

Good morning! I have just finished W9R3 and I can't quite believe I have done it! It's wonderful that you are all here to support people like me who are new to running, thank you so much for what you all do!

Here are my top tips for getting through:

1. Don't worry about fancy running gear

2. Repeat weeks if you need to (I did - it's actually taken me 14 weeks)

3. If you feel self conscious, go out early in the morning, or make like Madonna and put your sunglasses and cap on (you can pretend you've got bodyguards too!!)

4. Keep your head up and look around you - put your focus of attention outside your body.

5. Keep going! If you feel tired slow down but don't stop! Just get to that next lampost/tree and when you get there, get to the next one!

6. Do exactly as Michael Johnson says! Thanks Michael you are a complete legend!

Although I've got to 30 minutes nonstop I'm not at 5k yet and I'm determined to keep going - having your support here is so crucial. Thanks again!

💥💨👟💪🤘👏😸🎉👍✌🎶🐱‍🏍✔🤳🙌✨🛁🧼🧽☕🌼🌻🌺🌹🏵🌸💐🍀

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Huge congratulations!! 😎Good advice as well. Take getting to 5 km easy - it’ll come. When Parkrun starts up again find out if there’s one near you.

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thank you HeavyFoot - I am working up the courage to do a parkrun once they start again, nearly ready...

[Lizcanrun Graduate]

Well done!! 👍👍👍👍

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Lizcanrun]

Thank you Lizcanrun! Woop woop!

[Fionamags Graduate]

Congratulations - that's terrific! Love your top tips too. Why nit head over to consolidation and see whatbothers are doing to get to 5k and beyond? Keep running. 🥳🎊🎉🎈🎊🎖🏆🏅

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you Fionamags, I'm heading to consolidation right now! x

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Huge congratulations on your amazing achievement. Well done.

Might join you in consolidation group, haven’t tried there yet.

⭐️⭐️👏👏🏅🏅😁👍

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thanks Hareshaw-Granny - see you in consolidation!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

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 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr, I have left my graduation message in the pinned post marked July Graduation (I think this is the right place?)

[Cannyjog]

Great stuff... well done, I just finished w9r2 this morning so getting excited and hoping to join you in a couple of days. Congratulations 😁

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Cannyjog]

Thanks! You're nearly there too good luck with your final run!

[Greenk Graduate]

Brilliant, well done, and most excellent top tips too! I am curious Bridgetlikessinging... what song did you sing when you finished??? 😄 I'm going with We are the Champions!

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Greenk]

I've been singing all day driving everyone within earshot mad 🤭

[SJ60]

Ooooh well done!!!! Congratulations!!!! 🥇🥂💐 and I need to focus on achieving point 4!

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to SJ60]

Thanks - yes it really helps to focus externally, and not think too much about how tired you feel!

[Gingerbadger]

Big congratulations! I completed W5 R2 this morning and have come away feeling really positive, so hearing your tips etc is a big encouragement for me.

And you are so right, Michael Johnson rocks!

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Gingerbadger]

Well done Gingerbadger, you will be finishing yourself soon enough! Michael Johnson is the man isn't he 😀

[Hidden]

Amazing! Well done Bridgetlikessinging...thanks for all the tips. I’m 70 at xmas and week 6 run 1 completed today, so still a way to go. I’m taking your tips on board though! Thank you, take care 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou chrissie589, good luck!

[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.

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks IannodaTruffe!

[Chokka Graduate]

Brilliant post ... well done !!! 🍾🥂🏆🥇👏🏼🤩🥳

I love your words of advice ... the only point I strongly, adamantly disagree with 😉😂 is number 6 ... Jo Whiley is the complete legend (in my ears anyway!!!) 💕❤️😍

[Bridgetlikessinging Graduate in reply to Chokka]

Thanks Chokka! Ah, enjoy Jo - it's horses for courses!