i was so excited about doing this run! There were technical hitches. I found out yesterday that the Garmin app was down. This meant that even if I recorded the run on my watch, I wouldn’t be able to sync to the app, which in turn wouldn’t upload to Strava. I looked into how to record the run directly to Strava; this would be my best bet. I decided to record the run on my watch and also record it on Strava at the same time! I wished my husband was still here to ask, but he’s not.
With everything in place, I set out to do my graduation run on the riverbank. I’d already decided that this would not be a run to attempt to break any records; slow and steady was what I needed!
Michael in my ear, music started 🎵 🎧, warm up walk completed and I was off! Bit of a faff pressing all the right buttons! I start running and for the first 5 minutes struggle to find a suitable pace as usual, but I don’t check my watch this time and settle down quickly. I’m facing the sunrise and just enjoying the early morning rather than competing with myself - really enjoying the running! I’m thinking back to the first few weeks and finding this forum. Thinking about the support we’ve given each other and how much I’ve appreciated that, not just for the running, but during the most difficult times for me. Thinking about some of the weeks that I found really hard, some runs I almost couldn’t do!
I open the infernal gate, running on the spot, hoping it doesn’t mess up the Strava recording! At the halfway point I turn and start to run back. All is going well and although I feel I’m going slightly faster, I resist the temptation to look at my pace. This run is for enjoyment! There was never any doubt that I would finish. It was a very comfortable run and a time to reflect on how far I’d come. 30 seconds to go! I didn’t even speed up, just still enjoying it! I stop my watch and check on my phone the time on Strava, to make sure it would record the full 30 minute run. It had, so I stop running and save the recording,
I’ve done it! So pleased with myself. I couldn’t have done it without the support from my forum buddies! Now I shall celebrate with some stretches, a banana and some water! So pleased and proud of myself that I have achieved this.
Now I’ve completed the course, I shall find some local circular routes and get out and about in the village and surrounding areas. Consolidation, here I come!
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate
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Congratulations!! Brilliant achievement. Bet you feel on top of the world!! I’m going out shortly for my graduation run!! We thought we may graduate on the same day when we first connected a few weeks ago! Are you going to continue to post about your runs??
Thank you, yes we did! Good luck for yours. Yes, I’ll continue to post my consolidation runs while I get up to 5K. Then I’ll decide whether to do 5K - 10K. Did I really just write that? 😂
Well I’ve done it!! Can’t really believe it. I read your thoughts on going steady and enjoying our achievement so followed suit! Felt I was going really slowly and enjoying the views but it turned out that I’d managed 4K!! What a bonus!
It’s been great to share it with you! A few days off now as going to visit my son and daughter in law. Not seem them since Xmas! Time for a small celebration I think!
Look forward to hearing how you do on the consolidation runs!
Yes, I know what you mean, it didn't seem so hard in the end did it? I have still to reach 5K, but there is plenty of fuel in the tank. I think I will just run a little further each session now until I get there. It should take about 40 mins at my current pace, which I know is achievable if I build up gently; and it is another goal to aim for during consolidation🙂.
The trick now is to keep it up, hopefully I can maintain the motivation
I am hoping my pace will pick up naturally, when I look at my more recent stats it has been slowly improving, so as you say, it will probably end up being a bit of both.
Mine has, too. Just not on this run 😀. But I’m pleased with my improvements and I know I can improve. Just not sure if I’ll ever be able to run 5K in 30 minutes but I’m going to give it a bl@&dy good try!
Thank you so much, Ian! Running 30 minutes has become routine, I guess that’s what the programme does for us! I wasn’t really concerned about completing the run. You’ll be there soon, I’m sure!
Thanks for your support, I will still be posting! Well, I’ll have to show off my graduate badge, won’t I?
Congratulations! So pleased to see this post today! I too graduated this morning and the thought of you and all of the others doing the same run and graduating really helped spur me on and.......we did it!! Well done!!
Thank you - and what a lovely thing to say! I’m already looking forward to the cake, but have been too busy basking in my own glory to make any moves towards the shower 😂
Yes, I’ve done it! And I was going to write “alone, too”; but the truth is that I haven’t done it alone. I’ve lived it on here, with all my forum ‘buddies’ offering encouragement every step of the way. I’m so grateful that I had people to share it with after all!
Thank you so much! It was a truly beautiful morning in the Norfolk fens. I think that’s partly why I just wanted to go at a comfortable pace and enjoy the view 🙂
Well done! You’ve done absolutely amazing, look at you go! This forum honestly pushed me to continue with the running, otherwise I don’t know where I might be today in regards to that, probably still on the sofa hahaha! Consolidation runs are so fun, because now the running world is truly your oyster, you can choose to do whatever you want as long as you don’t be silly haha! Good luck for the rest of your journey!
Don’t worry, I was the same haha, I was so excited that I didn’t know how I was going to approach my first consolidation run until I had a good think about it the night before and about 5 minutes before my run 😂😂
I think I’m going to have a 2 day break and do my first one on Monday. That’s the start of the new week on Strava and if I run early, I can upload my run and until all the fast runners go out I can actually be top of the leaderboard in my clubs for a couple of hours 😀
Ooo lucky you, Norfolk has some of my happiest memories as childhood holidays with grandparents, ah those sand dunes and the flatness across field where you can see for miles
Aw well done you, I have one run left on week 7 and what a change. I only started as something to occupy me whilst on furlough but actually came to enjoy it (although not the first 3 weeks!!) can’t wait to complete it all and then I will have to find a new challenge
Thank you! I started to really enjoy it in Week 7! It all started to come together. The new challenge is to get to 5K (if, like me, you haven’t!) and then join the 5K - 10K forum!
I’m throwing bells 🔔 whistles, fanfare of trumpets 🎺 🎺 the lot!!!! Oh as well as an emoji of bubbles for you to celebrate!
It was never in doubt but how amazing to see it come to fruition! All your hard work! What a special moment for you... I hope you took the time to drink it all in?
🏁🎓👏👏👏🥂🍾💕
I’m SO chuffed for you!
Clever you uploaded straight to Strava too!
There is no stopping you now!
It’s been a privilege to share this journey with you... and I’m massively proud of you for getting here (as should you be too!)
Will see you on the graduation runs!
Have the best day ever celebrating ans go and get your graduation badge - you deserve it! x
Thank you so much, Jane! I’ve just got my badge (Plattszo mentioned it haha). Super proud and loved sharing it with you! We are amazing! See you on the graduation runs for sure! 💕
Well done Jools, you're a star! We were on a similar stage a few weeks ago so I've been following your progress and very proud of what you have managed achieved. My heart cracked when you mentioned your husband, I'm sure he's happy for you.
Also sounds like the runs are pretty easy for you, clearly you've got potential for much more. Good luck on the consolidation runs and whatever you aim to do next.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply 💔. I wouldn’t say the runs are easy, but I have a steely determination! I’m going to explore different routes locally to try and improve on my pace and be able to run 5K.
Lovely post Jools. Sounds like you really enjoyed R3. So now we have both graduated - look forward to checking in with on consolidation runs. Hope you celebrate your achievement ... you’re awesome
Congratulations and well done. It is such an euphoric feeling when you graduate. Such a beautiful sunrise. I love early morning runs. Celebrate and keep it up xx
Thank you so much, Matt. You, lost for words?! 😀 There were times when I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to complete the programme, but I found that I gained so much in the process. I do appreciate your comments. It’s wonderful to know that there are people out there who are proud of me, when I need it the most; thank you.
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Week 9 Run 3 !!! Graduated! 
Week 9 Run 3! Graduate 😀
Week 9 Run 3 ✅😁 Graduation Day !
Week 9 run 3 Graduation run done ❤️🍾🏅😀
