We did it, Week 9 run 3 - completed!

[BandX]

I am so pleased to post that the nine year old and I have graduated Couch to 5K and we are so happy and proud. It has been quite a journey and started because she told me she couldn't run the five minute warm up they have before a PE lesson in school and that she and her friend walked most of it. We have had wonderful chats, tears and laughter and I know we will continue this together and I hope she has gained a life habit which she can use for relaxation and fitness. I hope when the teenage years come we will still be running even if in ponderous silence!

So, what have I learned:

that running makes me feel so much better in my head when the government are throwing examination curve balls!

that you can be a size 18 at the start and a small size 16 at the end - I am now running towards a size 14!

how my girl's brain works when faced with the challenge of bad weather, barking dogs, stitches, discomfort which started of as 'terrible pain' and has now become, 'I can feel my calves on this incline' (note the jargon!)

that other runners are so friendly even if it's just a slight nod of the head!

that I want to run 10k before the end of the year (confession: I did Bristol 10k a year before she was born and have literally sat on the couch ever since!)

What she has learned:

that all the talk of 'growth mindset at school' actually means something, 'I can't run for 90 seconds YET; I can't run for 30 minutes, YET!' Now she can!

that running is a whole new opportunity for clothes purchases!

that running helps you to work through things that are puzzling you - in this case the big scientific questions - she asked me on this run why we don't fall off the earth when it is spinning so fast!

All in all, it has been a superb experience for mother/daughter bonding; for fitness; for being out in nature; for thinking time; for chatting time and for having a real sense of achievement.

If you are reading this and are feeling too big, too unhealthy, too unfit to be a runner know that you can do it.

I will finish with my daughter's joke, aimed at me because apparently I nag her!

What did the mummy running tomato say to her slow coach daughter tomato?

Come on, get going and ketchup!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

A fantastic achievement and a fantastic story !

Well done to you both 😁👍👏👏👏

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Love that last sentence, good post from you BandX, 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 August C25K graduation home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

What a joy it is running with family........long may it last.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[ChipsAndChocolate Graduate]

I LOVE THIS!

My nine year old has come out with me on my last two runs and I’m so impressed with her for keeping on going.

Plus she’s the oldest of three so I feel like it’s a wee chance to do something they other can’t

[Pinkpig20 Graduate]

Great story and to hear the benefits you have both found. Love your daughters joke at the end! lol

[Fionamags Graduate]

How fantastic! Congratulations to you both. What a wonderful thing to do together. Brilliant! 🥳🎊🎈🏆🎖🏅

[nowster Graduate]

Congratulations to you both! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏅🏃🏼‍♀️🏅👍🏆

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

What a great post, terrible joke at the end 😜but a great post. Congratulations to you both, the other kids will be amazed when they see how much stamina she’s got now. Well done BandX and MiniBandX 👏🏻👏🏻🥇🥳🥳

[booksie Graduate]

Oh how wonderful! Well done to you both. A little star jogger 😀

[DexD Graduate]

Lovely story - she'll have that special experience of running with Mum to keep her spirits up whenever the going gets tough, lucky girl!

[PandaCory Graduate]

Yaas! 2 running queens! Well done both of you & welcome 👏🏻👏🏻🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏅🥳

[Sybilw Graduate]

Great joke 🤣🤣 and congratulations to you both

[00marks Graduate]

Congratulations to both you and your daughter!

[Scotdee Graduate]

That's a credit to you both - thanks for sharing your lovely journey!

[Hidden]

Congratulations to you both, what an inspiring story 🎉👏

[Hidden]

Congratulations! 🎉🥳🎉

Love your post!

How lovely you have done this together!

Very Well Done...

Many Happy Miles 😊😊

[Hidden]

wonderful, well done both of you, an amazing journey together I finished yesterday too, although still struggling with 30 mins I am happy with 20 (and couldn't do 1 when i started!) back to Slimming World tonight and my Fit dance class also restarts next week, so dress size to lower soon I hope

[Jamiroq]

Well done to you both. What a lovely story. Congratulations

[Run46 Graduate]

I loved reading this BandX, what an amazing journey the two of you have been on and what a wonderful reason to start it in the 1st place...well done guys, congrats to you both 👏🎉

We will no doubt see you soon over in Bridge to 10K 😊

[AAK1423 Graduate]

Very well done to both of you. X

[gus74 Graduate]

Fantastic well done both of you 🙌

[Smile23 Graduate]

Fantastic well done to you both👏👏👏

[RunNewForestRun Graduate]

What a fantastic and inspirational story. I shall show my couch-loving 13yo son this! And what a great sense of accomplishment you must have, not only in your running but in your weight loss.

[Nshamith]

Loved to hear the accomplishment of you and your lovely daughter

Kerp up the great job