🎶Is it the Beginning or is it the End? 🏁🏃‍♀️

[MinnieMoo55]

Who’d have thought it but today I completed W9R3!

Back on the couch (but I have an excuse right now) writing this I couldn’t be happier 😁

When I started C25K the 🏃‍♀️ 😈 were weighing heavy on my shoulders and never for a minute did I think I could do this. The programme and everyone on this forum giving kindness, advice and motivation has pushed me through even when I wanted to give up.

When I ran 8 minutes for the first time I was beaming to myself, when I ran 20 I was amazed, and now that I’ve run 30 minutes 3 times I’m a little shell shocked 😮😆

A special graduation run play list was designed to keep my legs moving at all costs, starting with Little Mix, ‘these wings were made to fly’ 🎶 followed on by Imagine Dragons, Believer 🎶 for the warm up walk, by mid run Alicia Keys, (this) ‘Girl is on Fire’ 🎶😆 and with Jo telling me 10 minutes to go, Naughty Boy and Beyoncé ‘Runnin’ 🎶 with me singing along to myself ‘Not Runnin from myself no more’ 🎶🎶 because I finally have the confidence to know that I am a runner!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😁😁😁

OK, so I may have been over egging it a bit at this point 🤣😂 but the cool down walk was to the Olympic anthem Elbow 🎶 One Day Like This 🎶

Completed with Lou Reed 🎶Perfect Day🎶 which indeed it was! 😁😁😁

A special mention, and thank you, to CazzaW who was my virtual 🏃‍♀️ buddy; separated by 3,500 miles, we started and finished at almost the same time and there’s no doubt it spurred me on 😁🏁 🙌🥳

Finally, thanks to Mr MM and Luka the dog who came to meet me and we did the cool down walk together 🧡

I am hugely proud of all that I’ve achieved and now just have to keep going 🤣

Over to the consolidation group for me 🏃‍♀️😊

[Tendance]

Amazing, well done you! 💪🏻🥂 when you say consolidation group do you mean Bridge to 10k? I have just graduated too but have no interest in running 10k, is there something else just for consolidating? Enjoy the feeling! X

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Tendance]

Well I just clicked on Bridge to 10k because I was nosey 😂 and now it seems I’m part of that community!

However, it’s not my goal to do 10k either unless it happens almost by accident!

I don’t run 5k in 30 minutes and so that’s probably a goal I might go for next, to achieve 5k. I could then join a park run if I wanted to and if Covid ever bogs off!

Reading on the forum, some people keep Jo in their ear, others find it really freeing to not have the pressure of the programme.

Someone gave me the tip to start the warm up walk before the warm up walk, if that makes any sense at all, and then start to run at the warm up walk to start getting more time in the bag by being kept on track.

I’m a solo runner and so I need the motivation of this forum to keep me going so I suppose there’s us for consolidating 😊

Either way I’m just going to revel in graduation for a few days 😁😁

I hope you enjoy the feeling too 🙌

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Hi Tendance and MinnieMoo55

I’m no expert but when I graduated I found it useful to run the W9 runs - I really didn’t trust myself to run without support in my ear and I wasn’t ready to let go of my coach Michael - he had got me to graduation after all 😀

After a good few runs I moved to strava app - it plays in the background to your music just like C25k and gives audio cues ( I set mine to every half km.. just so I have a rough idea of pace and distance).. more importantly it gives you chance to earn virtual trophies 🏆 I’m like a child and need this to motivate me! 🙈

Some are quite do-able and some are a bit more challenging to achieve but it’s just the job! I’m like an excitable child adding a virtual trophy to my collection! 🙈 just the ticket to keep you motivated 👌

I also continue to post on C25k forum ... for a couple of reasons 1. Newbies are encouraged by posts but it’s also nice to give back some of the amazing support I had (couldn’t have done it without you lovely lot) and 2. a lot of us still do post on the C25k site as it’s our spiritual home.. ( tho I did post on B210k when I ran for an hour and when I did my 10k so they would credit me with the respective badges 👌)

Please stick around.. you would be missed and your part of our running family now 💕

[Tendance in reply to Tinytears60]

Thanks for the tips! I had Michael too 😍 I am ready to let go now though and try other things, I am going to try the Nike guided runs and will defo try Strava if they give trophies 😉congrats on your 10k!! X

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

TinyTears60 you were one of the people who inspired me when I started and when things got occasionally tough 😘and so I agree that to keep posting once in a while is part of giving back to the community.

I also very much feel part of a running 🏃‍♀️ family which is so cool because I’m not normally much of a joiner, if you know what I mean. It’s also nice when you go past other runners 🏃‍♀️🏃🏽 and they smile in that knowing ‘we’ve been there, keep going’ kind of a way 😀

I’ve already downloaded Strava and the Nike app so will give both a try, and I’m not sure I’m ready to abandon Jo either for now 😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Aww really? Well that’s brilliant that I was inspiration to you... 💕 so nice to think that my posts and struggles and success were useful to someone... it’s why I write them...

I know what you mean re not a joiner - but this forum had a habit of finding a little corner inside you and making itself at home..

we all have a shared goal and everyone celebrates your good runs and nurtures you through your tougher runs.. I was genuinely so chuffed reading your graduation run - just brilliant celebrating with others.. I know how much it meant to me .. it’s a big achievement👏👏

as you make referent to ‘that knowing smile’ and nod as we pass each other .. so true! 😀

Enjoy your consolidations and I look forward to reading all about them 👏👏😀

If you fancy sticking with strava let me know ... there are a few of us on there 👏 I can give you my name on there ( I should have just put Tinytears60) 💕

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Will do re Strava as it’s nice to keep motivated!

I couldn’t even remember to turn it on tonight! 😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

I was like that at first ... but it does become a habit x

[nowster Graduate]

Congratulations! 🏃‍♀️🍾🏆🏅🐶

PS. "When will I see you again?" 🎶

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Ooooo, in about 2 days time I expect! 😂🏃‍♀️

Thanks for the congratulations 🥳 I’m decidedly chuffed with myself 😊

🎶Celebration Time, come on!’🎶🥳🤣

[B1GK9 Graduate]

Congratulations another inspiring story.

You need to emulate your running buddy and shout yourself some bubbles.

[BonniesRest Graduate]

🎶Precious moments🎶 Congratulations! 💪🎉

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to BonniesRest]

Indeed they are precious moments. Still smiling when I woke up this morning 😁

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Congratulations MM55, it’s a great achievement and a great feeling too, your smile in the photo says it all 👏🏻👏🏻🏅🥳🥳

Try the Nike Run Club app it’s great for consolidation runs 👍

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you Couchphoenix, I’ll take a look 😊

[John_W Graduate]

It's neither the beginning nor the end, nor the beginning of the end.

It's the end of the Beginning!

You've done the warm-up. This is now the *real* start of your running journey.

Congratulations!

PS. Pendantic note. Elbow's Olympic theme was 'First Steps':

youtu.be/c8rdbvDFh1I(Not working as expected?)

(tissues out, soz)

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to John_W]

🤦‍♀️ does that mean I have to run W9R3 again? 😮😂

Anyways, I agree it’s the beginning of the beginning, or maybe even the middle of the beginning as I’m not yet 🏃‍♀️ 5k in 30 minutes but it’s been so good to achieve something in sport, as I thought I couldn’t.

I shall enjoy consolidation 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

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

Keep running, keep smiling.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

WOOHOO!!! 🙌🏼👊💥🔥💃🏻🥇🎊🎉🥳

Well done MM and congratulations!

Looking forward to your consolidation posts 🥰

🐌🐢🏃🏻‍♀️🍂🧡🍁

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to LottieMW]

Thanks Lottie MW. I was a little worried that having achieved the goal of graduation I might be tempted to slope off and go back to my couch 🦥 tendencies! 😂

I’m very relieved that I’m not going to be allowed to do that as everyone will be watching out for consolidation posts! 🧡

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to MinnieMoo55]

🤣🤣🤣I think it’s a cunning plan 🤔

[StoneDragon Graduate]

🎉👏 Congratulations MM - thanks for sharing your journey and enjoy your graduation euphoria - you've earnt it. 😀 (loving the tunes btw 🎵🎧)

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to StoneDragon]

Tunes have to be able to keep me moving 😆🏃‍♀️and singing which I do silently with just my gob moving so I don’t scare everyone around me 😂

It looks as though you’re getting close to graduation too and the sunrise pic was fab!

Good luck with your last few runs 😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Oh I am beyond chuffed for you and CazzaW

🏁🎓👏👏👏👏👏

Well done!

Awesome achievement

🎧🎵 Little mix... so great for motivation.. I’ve got one of theirs on my graduation playlist - called ‘Power’ but I forgot about this one! I got Beyoncé ‘Runnin’ too! Brilliant choices! Words are so apt! 👌

You have a super proud hubby and a gorgeous furbaby Luka 💕🐾 supporting you!

(And of course us lot!)

Crack open the bubbles 🥂🍾 and enjoy the rest of your day snd we will see you on the consolidations 💕

Oh don’t forget to claim you graduation badge 😀 🏆 Loving the use of 3 Degrees song 🎵 for your run title ‘when will I see you again’ 👌

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you so much 😊

I won’t be encouraging them to come often and meet me because I can’t get the timing right and ended up running backwards and forwards up and down the track a few times to finish the 30 minutes and keep near to them! The dog thought I’d lost it completely! 😂

It reminded me of CazzaW running round her local traffic lights so she didn’t stop!

[CazzaW Graduate]

So.... the morning after 😂 and I’m still smiling too 😆 Your badge looks great ⭐️ need to get mine sorted too!

Fab pics, great post and great memories of what we’ve achieved..... so far 😉

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to CazzaW]

Yup, I’m still smiling even now 😁

Go get your badge. You’ve definitely earned it! You’re a 🏃‍♀️

Now need to get motivated to get back out there and have asked my assistant to metaphorically push me out the door! 😆

With Winter on its way I thought I might do 2 x 30 minutes and a shorter 20 minutes mid week at lunchtime so I’m only doing one run in the dark. Well that’s the plan anyway!!

Lovely to see the real you on your pic after graduation together with the bubbly 🥂

Have tried looking at Strava and the Nike app and just hope they’re not too technical for me to get to grips with 😂

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Haven’t got as far as looking at them yet but will do. Think I’m going to repeat W9 with Jo for the first couple of runs probably accompanied by my graduation playlist... and hoping I won’t have to run round and round waiting for the 🚦😂 so I might be able to get a true idea of distance covered in 30 mins. Planning on getting out on Wednesday if the ankle feels ok altho the weather looks ☔️ all week.So you hadn’t ‘seen’ me before 😆 I bravely put a pic of me on my bike whilst over on the Toronto Islands with Toronto city in the background, I think maybe on my W8 post!

We must keep each other motivated 💪

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to CazzaW]

Yup, Wednesday was my thought as well but haven’t checked the weather... but what’s a bit of ☔️💦 to 🏃‍♀️ like us? 😆

I would be happy to keep Jo for a few runs whilst I work out what to do with other running apps. Less pressure 🤣

Lovely graduation badge by your name 😊

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

And by yours too ⭐️

I’m really lucky that I haven’t had to run in the rain yet, not working I can more easily pick my times. I’m more like to have to contend with snow here, it’s already snowing in northern Ontario. It worries me that the winter weather will disrupt my plans and treadmill is not an option at the moment as gyms are shut. Will just have to wait and see, I don’t mind layering up but don’t want to slip or fall 😬

Anyway all good for now 👍 onwards 💪🏃‍♀️

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Nope, it was my Canadian Thanksgiving post a couple back when ‘resting’ my ankle 😬

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Perfect plan! 👌

[Dups Graduate]

Congratulations 👏👏👏 what an amazing journey you have had. Fantastic achievement!

Great photo, how happy you look. Enjoy some well earned celebrations 🍷🍷🎉🥳🎉🥳

Good luck in your all future running goals 😊

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Dups]

Thanks Dups and you’re almost there! 🏁

I really hope all goes your way for your final run. Will be looking out for your next post 😃