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I have just done week 9 run 1 and I’m having mixed feelings.
Can’t help be somewhat disappointed that I’m not even close to hitting 5k but I know I have achieved so much from someone who couldn’t run 1 minute to now running 30 minutes!
I have been thinking a lot about my graduation run and where I want to go, ideally somewhere flat but struggling to find places! Did anyone change their usual running location to a different location just for the graduation run?😁
I did mine at parkrun. But I guess that’s not an option now!
I ran runs 1 and 2 of week 9 locally near to where I live but ran run 3 of week 9, my graduation run 25 miles away from where I live on a flat seaside promenade.
Where I live is quite hilly, so I must admit I did drive 5 minutes to an old railway line near where we live to go out in a blaze of glory on run 3 of week 9 but it back fired a bit as it was really windy. Was wind assistant one way and had to run in to it on the way back. Back to pounding the hill of doom again.
I was only on about 3.5k when I graduated and I think most people are( except for these younger whippets) . But I did do 5k in 42 minutes in my first graduation run.. naughty I know but I just felt like carrying on so I did.
I DID change my route for my graduation run ( and regretted it). By going up to Bridgwater, where my daughter lived and who I had started C25k with. And we ran together but it was too hot, unfamiliar route, high pollen count and I struggled and ended up crying when we finished and declaring I never wanted to run again 🤣🤣. Funnily enough I’m still running 2 1/2 years later and she hasn’t run for 18 months.
Then I came home and 2 days later ran my 5k. Up to you but I feel better on familiar routes when I’m planning a milestone run, because I know roughly how much I have left to go then, as I come up to certain landmarks.
I often vary my route and once not for the last C25k run but for my fastest 5k so far: I turned off at every busy road and incline so no waiting and nice and flat it still took 36+ mins but I’m usually well over 40 minutes
Aww don't be disappointed THIS is amazing!.. you are within sniffing distance of graduation and that is fantastic!.....
I graduated less than 2 weeks ago ... and my graduation run was only around the 3.5k mark.... The majority of people on here don't run a 5k run on their graduation.....
Don't get disheartened.... In less than 2 weeks i have done my 5th consolidation run and also achieved 5k!...
You WILL get there! 
Don’t be too disappointed! I’ve stayed to the same route and managed to do 5k today! I have one last run for graduation. I then hoping to try a different route because I feel I may be confident to try. Chin up and remember you’re already running more than you did all those weeks ago xx
You've done great - I was barely at 3k when I graduated and I'm not a whole lot better now (about 2 months later) but what the heck? I am running for 30mins three times a week - slow time, dodgy knee and all. Don't do yourself down!
You have done so well, just getting to 30mins is a massive achievement in a relatively short space of time. 5k pha, just do what you can and keep those legs moving - enjoy your last one.
Only a small proportion of graduates from this forum who responded to a poll, managed 5k in 30 minutes by graduation healthunlocked.com/couchto5....
Graduation requirements are that you complete three thirty minute runs, regardless of distance.
You are doing great.
5k and 30 minutes is an arbitrary distance/ time combination.
I know how you feel - I'm at the same stage and feel a bit ambivalent about the end (I'm so slooow) but I plan to have my husband and 2 youngest meet me and my daughter (who is doing the plan with me) at the end of our 3rd run (with a little prize for my daughter). So why don't you choose somewhere special and have a little prize for yourself to open at the end, either with others or on your own if that's not possible. I'm trying not to worry about the distance run in 30 minutes by reminding myself how the first few weeks. Good luck with it!👍
week 9 and beyond
Week 9 runs delayed 🙁
Week 9
Week 9 underway!
