Week 9 Run 3 - Graduation!! 🔥🔥

[Runforurlife]

Good morning all, I DID IT!!!!😀😀I've completed C25K and I am a runner. Well, what can I say? I am so happy, I honestly didn't think in the early weeks I would be able to run 30mins in one go, three times a week - but I am proof it can be done. Woohoo!! 💥🔥

I had been planning on my grad run happening tomorrow but honestly, I was so excited to be so close that last night, I made the decision it would be this morning. A quick check of the weather app - cold, crisp and sunny - clinched it. I laid my kit out last night and the intention was made.

Boy, it was COLD at 7am this morning!! A heavy frost everywhere, the sun rising..the scene was set. I had my new 80's club anthems mix playlist ready to roll and I was off. Nice and steady, don't blow it... Jo coming on every 5/10mins to tell me how I was doing..this run seemed to be flying by already.. I reached a favourite part of my new route, running along by the. canal, sun dappling through the last of the Autumn leaves and I realised I was running GAZELLE-LIKE and this was it, my gazelle run moment 🦌🦌🦌 That was a good feeling, I knew then I was a runner, I could cope with this and I was going to SMASH it. Onto the park, took a different route around and mixed it up..I truly felt so good, Madonna came on 'Get into the Groove' and I was grooving baby...

5mins to go and I upped my pace a bit, the end so close, I was running and smiling.. if I could, I would have jumped up and down but didn't want to frighten the dog walkers😝 Then it was time up, that's it! I'd done it. Yeehah..🎉🎉

So, it's the end of the C25K journey for me but the start of regular running and having proven to myself I can run for 30mins non-stop, never will there be an excuse in my head that I can't do it again. I have loved this programme, it works. It has done my mental health the world of good in these extraordinary times - I love a routine and I love running now 💙My next goal is to reach 5km as close to 30mins as I can get. Today I did 4.38km in 30mins, so close!!!!

Thank you to everyone on here, all the support you've given, it truly has made such a difference and I can't thank you enough for all words of encouragement. This community is ace. Following so many of your journeys has been such an inspiration to me and kept me plodding on knowing we were all in it together! A big thanks to all my week 8'ers/Week 9'ers and new graduates who have cheered me on - you have all kept me accountable and spurred me on to get this done. I am going to treat myself to a new pair of trainers today. Still smiling, I am a runner 😀😀

[Buddhagal Graduate]

Fantastic 🏆🏆💪💪💪👏👏👏👍👍. What a wonderful achievement. Bask in your glory and ever onward. 🙋🙋

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Buddhagal]

Thank you! Good luck with your runs. You will be there before you know it 😀

[Buddhagal Graduate in reply to Runforurlife]

😁😁thanks👍👍🙋

[Currentum4Salutem]

👏 Well done you !!👏

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Currentum4Salutem]

thank you! I am feeling quite chuffed 😉

[Peter44 Graduate]

Well done, and that's quite an impressive distance too! 👏👏👏

I'm just behind you, with 2 more runs, good luck with all your future runs, and enjoy the moment!!! 😀

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Thank you!! I'm so glad, still smiling 😀 Wishing you well for your last 2 runs. So close!

[StoneDragon Graduate]

Woop woop 🎉🍾🏁 yes you are a runner R4UL and a gazelle running 🦌, grooving 🎵, smiling 😁 runner too! 🏃‍♀️💪

What an amazing run to graduate on 🎓 I'm so pleased you finished this journey on a high and it's been great sharing your journey. 👍 Enjoy your graduation euphoria and get yourself some trainers before all the shops shut!!!

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to StoneDragon]

haha thanks SD 😊 That gazelle moment completely sneaked up on me today. I guess they runs you just can't plan for but I was so glad it happened today! Not long for you until graduation, look forward to seeing you lift your trophy. Hope those ankles are behaving 💪🏻

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

Brilliant stuff R4ul! And very close to 5k too 👍🏻👌🏻💪🏻

You have achieved a great thing and you should be very pleased and proud of yourself 😁

Enjoy the feeling for next couple of days and see how many people ask why your grinning so much 😂 and I definitely would have done a big 80s style jump at the end of your run! Dog walkers or not! 😂😂😂

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

Thank you Jericho 😊 I'm just happy to have reached this far, still running, still enjoying it and I am certainly enjoying that "graduation glow" and telling anyone who will listen at work I've graduated from C25K today 🤣 Most look at me like I'm mad but I don't care!!

Damn right, I should have done an 80's style van Halen type jump. Might save that for my first Consolidation run!!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9, great run and post from you.

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 November graduation homepage and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃🏾 👍

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al! I have left a message there for my badge 😀

[Minimoose Graduate]

Well done!!

[nowster Graduate]

Congratulations! 🏃‍♀🥂🏅🏆

[Bambi2020 Graduate]

Yay!!! 😁What an achievement and a fast time too. You’ve done amazing. Enjoy getting those new trainers-no need for go faster stripes on them- you’re already doing speedy- well done- enjoy the graduate afterglow!!

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Bambi2020]

Thanks Bambi 😀 Happy to join you graduates, it's a great feeling and I'm excited about continuing my running and getting to 5km. Almost there not quite..love a challenge!

[Hidden]

Yay, well done and congratulation!!!

I'm 3 weeks behind you. What an inspiration!

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I felt the same weeks ago seeing fellow runners graduate, it's a great motivation to see people complete the programme. You will be there before you know it, good luck with your final weeks of runs 😀

[Blossom- Graduate]

Yay! You're a RUNNER!🎉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🎉💥

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Blossom-]

Thank you 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Well done on your graduation, fellow runner! 👏👏👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥳🎓🏆

It’s an amazing achievement! 😊

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you 😀

[LauraRuns Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating Runforurlife 🥳🎉🙌🏼 A brilliant achievement and I’m so glad you got your gazelle run too 🦌

You should definitely be proud of yourself! I hope you celebrate before moving onto consolidating ☺️

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to LauraRuns]

Thanks 😀 It's an achievement I honestly wondered if I'd ever make with various niggles at Week 7 and battling a lack of faith in my ability in those early weeks but this programme really works doesn't it? Happy to join you fellow graduates 🏅 Now onto Consolidation runs and reaching the 5km!

[PeggySusi Graduate]

Well done, great job! ..👏👏🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️and thanks for sharing a lovely post full of joy on a beautiful morning.. enjoy your new shoes and don’t forget to post photos of them when you write about your consolidation runs..😊

[Runforurlife Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank you 😊 I will definitely share a photo of the new runners just as soon as I get them. Might have to be an online order at this rate so close to Lockdown lol

[LittleMissie]

Well done 🥳

[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.

[GailXrunning Graduate]

Well, that could not have been more perfect !👌 💫 🌟

Congratulations 🥳 🎉

And you’re already set up with your new ambitions. How fantastic is that?

I’m 6 runs behind. Hope to catch up again ‘on the other side’.