This girl can run! - I did it 🎉🍾

[Catho78]

Well I finally did it, this girl can run 🏃🏽‍♀️lol.

I started the C25K programme on 1st June but had a calf injury at week 5 which saw me on the injury couch for 5 weeks. This was a struggle because by then I was hooked on running but my physio made me see sense.

I finally ventured back out and tentatively tried again, I have taken it easy but have managed to do the programme as planned. I never had to stop, only 1 time I was desperate to stop at final 5 mins but more due to running in bad stormy weather, I was sick of getting wet lol - I persevered and completed the run.

Today I ran the same route as week 1 and was there was such a difference in endurance and being able to breath lol. The program works, trust the process, I never thought I could run 5 mins let alone 30, but the plan has proven me wrong. I’m pleased to put my stubbornness to good use in refusing to give up!

Thanks to everyone on the forum for posting your journeys, advice and support, this is such a supportive forum that I’d have been lost without.

Also thanks to whoever posted about the book “Running like a girl” By Alexander Hemingsley (sorry I don’t recall who posted but thanks) best read in ages, I highly recommend it for tips and honest account of a runner in the making.

I ran 4K in 32 mins today so my next goal is 5K then consolidate. I love the challenges that running brings, physical and mental and the thrill of a beating myself with a PB (personal best). Here’s to more adventures, happy running one and all. If I can do this, anyone can! 🎉🎉

[Tallytutu2003 Graduate]

Congratulations! The girl Can run ! 🏃‍♀️

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Tallytutu2003]

Thanks 😁

[Buzzbeebh Graduate]

Congratulations and thank you for your inspirational post 🎉🎉 best wishes for the rest of your running journey

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Buzzbeebh]

Thank you for your kind words, happy running

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

I would recommend that you consolidate before running 5k.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the advice and support

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Woop woop! Well done Catho, congratulations! Sounds like a great running to finish the programme on 🤩

It was possibly one of my posts you saw Alexandra Heminsley, I mentioned it a while ago 😃 It was such an inspiring and emotional read. Her growing mental/physical strength emanated with each chapter and I loved how she bonded with her dad over running ❤️

Enjoy your onward journey. This is just the beginning! 👏🏼🏆🌟🎓

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Hiya, thanks for your reply, yep final run good thanks, weather dry so a bonus and an emotional end to the ‘start’ of my running journey. You are correct it was you who posted about “running like a girl”, thanks I got so much from it and couldn’t put it down. Happy running, we got this!

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Catho78]

Me too, it will be a firm favourite on my kindle for a while! Just done a post requesting new book recommendations - graduation is making me want to absorb as much inspo as possible!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Many congratulations. 😄

Don’t miss the consolidation thread on here to support you over the next phase! 😄

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Many thanks, I’ll bookmark that thread now cheers 👍

[Hidden]

It’s brilliant to graduate especially when the path has not been easy. Well done you. Lots of adventures ahead!👏👏👏

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks helenwheels, it feels great and the start of an adventure. Good to celebrate the wins along the way, yay 🎉

[Bambi2020 Graduate]

Well done !!!

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Bambi2020]

Thank you

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Congratulations Catho78, great achievement, well done 👏🏻👏🏻🏅🥳🥳

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you, and thanks for the medal 👍🤗

[Couchphoenix Graduate in reply to Catho78]

They sell C25k medals on eBay, you could treat yourself to a real one 👍🏅

[nowster Graduate]

Congratulations! 🍾🏆🏅🏃🏼‍♀️

If you've done 4km today, do another couple of 30 minute runs. Don't go pushing for the 5km.

Gradually add a little more time. No more than 10% per week.

Experiment with going slower. Do the occasional short but faster run. Play.

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thanks for the tips. I’m now tackling (previously avoiding) long slow hills where I live so don’t think I’ll get much faster quicker, working on stamina and strength. I plan to do 3 more weeks of consolidation runs x3 then try bridge to 10K eventually (or timed version). Gonna look at Nike run club for mixing up the runs as too soon to go off script myself I feel. Thanks for your support 👍

[nowster Graduate in reply to Catho78]

Hills are a problem here too. Shorter steps, head up, straight back.

I'm all theory and no practice at the moment. I got to 5km and got injured. I know what to do but didn't get to consolidate. I'm slowly getting back into it.

[CazzaW Graduate]

Many congratulations 🎉 so great to read and your graduate badge looks great 👌

I’m 2 runs off finishing but nursing tendonitis, it’s sooooooo frustrating isn’t it. So glad you’ve come back from your injury and have completed the programme strongly. I’m hoping to try a very slow 15 min. jog later to test it out (luckily I have a physio son to advise!)

It’s lovely to hear about everyone’s Consolidation runs now so very good luck with yours and beyond 😀