I graduated on Sunday!

[doonhamer74]

Finally!

For me, this is actually the second time I graduated. I started during the first lockdown last year. I then got Covid, so had to stop, then restart. Spring 2020 also coincided with my moving to a different area, so with all the prepping for moving, I did not complete it until after the move. In my new area there are hills! Lots of them! So, I did manage to finish eventually, but it was a real adjustment as I'd been doing it more on the flat. My coaches then were mainly Jo and the now-sadly-departed Michael.

I then stopped running and lost fitness, but resumed this year, doing it with my girlfriend this time.

We chose about the only flat bit of ground near here (a beautiful path along the riverbank) and that's been our patch for all 27 runs! We started with Laura, but just recently switched to the newly-arrived Denise. I like it that there is a lot more feedback on the new tracks.

Anyway, it took us 14 weeks in all. All of the runs in early morning. The middle of the week didn't work for us, so we had to space the runs out a bit. Taking at least one rest day is so important!

My girlfriend is not a fan of "jogging". In younger years, she was an athlete at county level, but specialized in sprint hurdling. It's been a bit of an adjustment to her becoming a recreational "middle distance" runner. Although I told her not to take the "5k" bit too literally (it's only about running for 30 mins) she wanted to do it at a fast pace. Although, unfortunately, this meant she was often really tired for the rest of the day. Paracetamol and rehydration salts worked wonders here! However, that stubborn streak was what got us through it all and there was chocolate cake to celebrate!

As for what's next, we plan to go for a run on Friday morning. I hope we can do a shorter time and enjoy it, but I think she wants to continue with 30 mins in the hope of becoming more acclimatized to that. I really do want her to enjoy it though.

I hope the above info is useful to some. The advice I read in this group was great and thanks to those who answered my questions about running together with both being able to listen to the instructions (we used separate phones but synced them) and for the advice on not completely trusting the distances given by satellite tracking devices.

Also, I more recently joined this Facebook group, which is similarly encouraging. facebook.com/groups/3994428...

Anyway... how do I get my badge????

[doonhamer74 Graduate]

Chart

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[doonhamer74 Graduate in reply to doonhamer74]

Extremely happy to have finished it! 😀

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[Itsamiracle Graduate in reply to doonhamer74]

Congratulations. It looks a wonderful place to run.

[doonhamer74 Graduate in reply to Itsamiracle]

Yes, it's so beautiful here!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

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

To get your Graduate Badge leave a message at this month’s Graduation Badge Post, which you can find in the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Poppdog Graduate]

congratulations on graduating

[MaCherie112 Graduate]

Your girlfriend sounds so enthusiastic it’s great! She’ll be a great motivator for you and you’ll be able to encourage her to pace herself when she gets too carried away 🤣 you definitely balance each other out which is great and having a running buddy will encourage you to keep running beyond the programme!

I remember when I first started I was used to doing Hiit runs so the adjustment to a slow jog was quite difficult as I kept wanting to zoom off and was preoccupied with my speed, but as you know the trick is to go slow and increase stamina! Congrats on second time graduating! I just graduated for the first time a few days ago and can’t imagine doing it all again so well done!

Especially with the last couple of years you’ve had! I was hospitalised with Covid in December so know just how grim it can be! Enjoy this achievement knowing you’re in a much better place in terms of both physical & emotional health. I’m wondering what’s next myself 🤔 I might try another run today or tomorrow. You’ve packed some great advice above, thanks for sharing! Good luck on future consolidation runs! 🍀

[nowster Graduate]

As far as I can tell, Michael Johnson is still with us. He had a stroke in 2018, but was reported to be recovering.

PS. Congratulations!

[doonhamer74 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I meant that he was no longer a coach on the OneYou/BBC app!Yes, very happily he recovered from his stroke and has been back on the telly, covering the Olympics and other athletics.

I don't know why they removed him from the coaches. Maybe they wanted him to record more audio bits as with Denise Lewis's arrival, there is a lot more customization. More encouragement through the runs - and for weeks where one run is repeated, whereas before, it was the exact same track, now it's customised by "you have one more to do this week" and stuff.

Anyway, I loved his voice. Just what I needed during those hard bits.

[Frenc Graduate]

I loved Michael Johnson as my trainer. could listen to him all day! Many congratulations 🎉 on your graduation, that’s a fab picture 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆.