Week 9 - Run 3 - Graduate: I set off a little... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 9 - Run 3 - Graduate

I set off a little later than expected this morning, so it was already warm out. I took my smallest buddy who has been running solo for the last few runs as his dad pulled a muscle and has had to rest. He was completing week 5, run 2, and though I offered him the opportunity to run with me, he found that too slow so did his own thing and completed the run. He’s only 10 and I’m so proud of him for keeping going.

When Laura said I had been running for 5 minutes I wasn’t quite comfortable yet, but by 10 I was sailing along nicely. 15 and 20 minutes flew past too and on the downhill sections (very mild inclines and decline, which felt like Everest in the first few weeks), I even picked up my pace a little.

When Laura said there were 5 minutes left I still felt strong, but couldn’t have gone any faster at that point, nor did I “sprint” to the finish in the last 60 seconds like I had I earlier weeks, but I felt strong and in breath, so was very happy with that.

I am looking forward to consolidating for a few weeks, then will move onto 5k (I achieved 3.2k today) and will then worry about speeding up.

Why did I do this?

To finally get fit in my 40’s and to be able to run a park run

What will I take away from the experience?

I am so much stronger and more capable than I ever thought I was, and my positivity (that has made me subject to ridicule in the past) was my superpower during this plan

What tips can I give anyone starting the plan?

Read all of the guidance. Ensure you can walk at a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes before embarking on the plan. Go slowly, it’s not a race. Stretch after every run, even the shortest of runs, even if you are dying, stretch. Make sure you hydrate on rest days. Make sure you have rest days. Believe you can do it, your body will surprise you.

Thank you so much to this community, who have been so supportive. I will keep reading and posting as have learnt so much from you all 🥰

Written by

Runner_P

Graduate

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35 Replies

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61LadyGraduate4 years ago

👏👏👏 Congratulations ... and great advice and tips for everyone too !

Wonderful that you have got so many positives from the experience - enjoy your success 🥳🍾🥳

Runner_PGraduate• in reply to61Lady4 years ago

Thank you

sally19934 years ago

Wow this is inspirational! Look at your face you look so proud as you should.. thank you for all the advice I will use this going forward. Interesting to hear you felt uncomfortable at the start and settled into the run! I will remember this when the start feels too difficult. Well done and thank you xx

Runner_PGraduate• in reply tosally19934 years ago

Thank you, I am very proud. You should be too, as starting the plan was definitely the biggest achievement for me

SJ604 years ago

Well done! Congratulations 🙌🙌🙌

Runner_PGraduate• in reply toSJ604 years ago

Thank you

Smile23Graduate4 years ago

Well done. 🥳🥳🥳

Runner_PGraduate• in reply toSmile234 years ago

Thank you

tara-jGraduate4 years ago

Well done!!

Runner_PGraduate• in reply totara-j4 years ago

Thank you

GysmoGraduate4 years ago

What a lovely happy picture, well done 👍🥳

Runner_PGraduate• in reply toGysmo4 years ago

Thank you

FeltipGraduate4 years ago

I just randomly stumbled upon your graduation post and found myself drawn into reading your weekly run updates.

I too am extremely over weight. So struggled with my emotions in the beginning about starting this. More worried how I looked rather than the positive benefits I would get from it. I still continue to worry how I look and only go to the field opposite me in the mornings where I'm only on show to a few dog walkers 😁

I found your posts extremely positive and inspiring. Particularly enjoyed reading your graduation post and your reasons for doing this program. I can also relate to the 'ladies monthly problems' that made me laugh, I find it almost unbearable to run when I have my period, which for me was today which is probably why I struggled compared to my previous 2 runs for W3

Congratulations on you graduation, good luck with your consolidation runs

Runner_PGraduate• in reply toFeltip4 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to send such a lovely response. I definitely suffer at that time of the month, but I’ve just learnt to be a bit more forgiving with myself. Finishing the run in those first two days is accomplishment enough. Good luck with your journey 👍🏻

FeltipGraduate• in reply toRunner_P4 years ago

Thank you. I've certainly felt more positive about my running, or my plodding as I call it to my children, since being on this forum. It never fails to surprise me how positive strangers can be to each other and I'm more surprised that the words of strangers can have such an impact on me.

I'm not very good at 'being kind to myself' but I am working on that!!