W9R3 Finally! Got there in the end 😊

[Dups]

I started this journey 19 weeks ago during lock down. Gyms were closed and exercise was something I did on a regular basis. I believed it was essential to good health and mental well being.

My mam passed at the end of February after a long battle with Dementia.... so my very supportive husband suggested C25K to help me through the grieving process.

I was apprehensive as I hadn’t done any running since my school days, but thought I had nothing to lose by giving it a go.

I can’t tell you how much running out doors has improved my mental well being. This prescription has been the best! And it’s free! I have loved the challenge and loved reading everyone’s posts. This forum has been amazing😊 Thanks to everyone who has posted words of encouragement and kept me motivated during my many injuries😂 with brilliant words of advice.

Thanks to reading MinnieMoo55 graduation post today, it spurred me on to get out there and finish this this afternoon😊

I DID IT 😂😂😂😂😂

I have completed this challenge in memory of my mams courage and determination, and who has been a constant inspiration to me ❤️

[JulesL69 Graduate]

Super well done ! Its such an achievement 😊.

The health benefits are amazing, great for head space too... keep running and keep enjoying, your Mum will be very proud of you.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

A very inspiring post from you Dups, yes this is a free prescription, they have posters promoting C25K in some health centres waiting rooms and waiting rooms in some doctors surgeries.

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 October graduate home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated.

😊 Now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement with 🍷 🏃🏾 👍 🎓

[Dups Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks so much Almorr. I definitely think a celebratory drink is in order 🍷😊

[Pete9122 Graduate]

Well done👏👏 & many, many congrats on your graduation👏👏👍👍 Good luck & best wishes for all your future 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ adventures. 👍👍

[Dups Graduate]

Thank you, I am so pleased and proud of myself at completing the programme. I will continue running by doing the consolidation runs and hopefully doing the 50 mile challenge in November for Dementia Uk 😊

[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.

[Peter44 Graduate]

Well done on getting through the program, i've not seen all your posts, but I know what you mean about running, helping, physicaly and mentally, I have lost 2 sisters, and my wife, all in their early 50's, to cancer, in recent years, and this c25k is really helping me! I'm on w7, so a few more weeks to the end, good luck with your running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Dups Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Thank you so much. I can’t imagine your loss. It’s amazing how the outdoors and physical exercise can help.

W7 ! It’s amazing what we can achieve with a little bit of determination. Not long before your graduation.

Good luck, I will watch for your graduation post 😊

[CazzaW Graduate]

Well done 🎉 many congratulations 🥳 it’s a fabulous feeling isn’t it 👌 hope you’re still smiling, I haven’t stopped 😆

So glad it’s helped, you’re right it is the best free prescription. What a great thing to do the 50 mile challenge. Dementia UK is a fantastic charity so really good luck with that 😊

See you in Consolidation Club 👏👏

[Dups Graduate in reply to CazzaW]

Thanks CazzaW, yeah still smiling, it’s hard not to 😃 it is such a wonderful feeling. By the way, I loved your graduation photo 😊

I’m excited to do this next challenge.... to be able to do something that will hopefully help to make a difference to people suffering with dementia and the families that care for them.

See you in the consolidation club 😃

Thank you for your lovely post 😊

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to Dups]

Ah thank you 🥰

I’ve not long retired after 35 years working as an Occupational Therapist in the NHS and much of my clinical work over the years was with older people. 2 of my last 3 years were spent in elderly care in a very large General Hospital. We had a dedicated ward for patients that came in with medical problems who also had dementia so they could be cared for in the appropriate way and not just placed on a general ward and it was my absolute favourite ward to work on 💕Fabulous patients, dedicated staff and (for the most part) amazing caring families 😊

Sadly there’s just not enough money or support in the community so I think you’re doing a fantastic thing 🙂

[Dups Graduate in reply to CazzaW]

35 years! That is truly amazing! It takes dedication to look after our vulnerable elderly people.

The C25K has helped me through dark times, but unwittingly been the perfect platform to inspire me on to use running for a greater purpose.

Thanks again for your lovely posts 🥰

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Congratulations Dups 🌟🥳🌟

I’m so sorry to hear about your mum. It must make your achievement even more poignant. She will no doubt have been very proud of you 💛

Best of luck with your onward journey fellow runner 🏆🎓🌟

[Dups Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thanks so much, I needed purpose, and the C25K gave me that. I have enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed this amazing forum, reading everyone’s stories. What a fantastic community of people.

I will be joining the consolidation club and running in November for Dementia Uk 🏃‍♀️😊

I have read all your fabulous posts and wish you luck in all your future running too 😊

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Dups]

Aw thank you! 🥰

That’s wonderful about November, I fully intend to do the same for cancer research at some point.

The forum is indeed magical, I would have been lost without it 💛

[Bambi2020 Graduate]

Well done!!!

[Dups Graduate in reply to Bambi2020]

Thank you 😊

[RacingintheStreet Graduate]

Lovely post 🙂🙏 and your mum would have been with you every step of the way. Such a loss takes awhile 🙏 but gradually all those memories will start to bring more smiles than tears 💫✨

This ‘running thing’ will be another coping strategy for so many just now for many different reasons.

To be able to get out of the door and ‘just run’ is a wonderful thing ( well in between it chucking it down ☔️☔️☔️ )

Very well done 🙂

[Dups Graduate]

Thank you for your kinds words.

I never thought I would ever start running or find so many benefits from it.. But it has been wonderful. I have found something new so rain hail or shine I will be out there ( having said that I havn’t done a run in the rain yet) 😂

[Newbieto5k]

Amazing! Well done. Reading posts like this is so encouraging. What you have achieved and how you got there is inspirational 😊