A crown jewel 💎

[dreamrun]

no euphemism intended whatsoever!

I set out for that stomach-churning W5R3, that most C25K starters see up ahead and balk at the ‘20 minutes of running, with no walking’ instructions.

But of course we didn’t do weeks one, two, three and four for nothing - everything has led up to this glorious moment! I certainly think it’s a hefty jewel in the C25K crown! In fact, I see that week 5 is the most popular week to post about, after weeks 1 and 9.

It was cold ✅ dark ✅ pouring ✅ gremlin’d ✅ but I gave them a good kick, and, with my running-mad partner for speed accountability (he ensures I’m slow enough to be holding a conversation!) the 20 minutes was over.

Looking forward to taking Week 6 slow and steady as I inch my way towards that graduate crown! 👑

Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Go you! Slow, steady and sensational! On you go! X

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss! 😊

[nowster Graduate]

That's the "grin run". It's the one you can (and probably will) brag about.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to nowster]

Spot on Nowster! I can only imagine how it feels have a HM under your belt! 🏅

[nowster Graduate in reply to dreamrun]

Mainly: tired! 😆

I've done five runs at that distance so far. I can only imagine how it is to have a full marathon under one's belt.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to nowster]

A wise man once said runners are always dreaming of the next distance! 🤩

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to nowster]

Also five HMs - what a feat!

[nowster Graduate in reply to dreamrun]

My first in September, one in October, two in November, one in December.

I'm doing the RED January challenge. I'm doing a Run Every Day for this month only. I may do another HM on the last Sunday of the month if I'm still feeling OK.

I'm still surprised about what I can do nowadays. Before I started C25K in March 2020 I'd be out of breath for several minutes if I had to run for a bus.

Standard disclaimer: don't run every day unless you've been running regularly for a year or more. RED January only requires a minimum of 10 minutes of activity per day, and it doesn't have to be running.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to nowster]

I hope one day I’ll be writing something similar ☺️ Enjoy your RED challenge!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to nowster]

You're definitely capable of running a full marathon if you choose to nowster . "Choose" being the operative word, as you already know!

[nowster Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

I know. The problem would be finding the time to do it. I can just about fit in a two hour run (plus faffage time) at the weekend. As we start to get a bit more daylight in spring, I'll probably extend the distance a bit. I'm in no hurry.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to nowster]

I look forward to reading about it 😊

[Pianism Graduate]

Congratulations! When you finish that 20 minutes you know you're well on the way to being a runner. I was terrified when I started it but week 5 turned out to be my favourite week of the programme. I have it to tackle again the week after next and I can't believe it will be possible... except that I've done it once and will do it again.

Graduation just a stones throw away now!

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thank you Pianism, I love being back in the running gang! See you at the finish line 😊

[Cmoi Graduate]

Well done dreamrun - enjoy the journey to your coronation!

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you Cmoi 😊

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

That’s a brilliant post and should be read by anyone with the collywobbles about the run.

Wish I had 3 years ago!

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thank you Heavyfoot! It’s definitely a daunting week!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3 which you have just ran 🏃🏾 ✅✅👍

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Alan 😊 I will bear that it mind and keep it steady

[Troutfish]

Well done obviously lots of positive attitude and commitment going on 👏👏

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Troutfish]

Thank you 😊

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

We need more posts, like this, about W5R3!

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

We shall not be defeated by it!

[Nannyshirl Graduate]

Well done this is a milestone in the C25K and it sounds like you smashed it. You will go from strength to strength now and as many have said slow and steady thats the secret to success.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Nannyshirl]

Thank you Nannyshirl 😊

[Fionamags Graduate]

Well done - that run is a bit special, isn't it? I was practically levitating when I posted about mine. 🤣🤣🤣 Onwards ho - the glorious finish is in sight now!

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Where’s the ‘I’m a real runner now’ badge! 😂 x

[Fionamags Graduate in reply to dreamrun]

Its yours! Graduate badge very close now too. 😉

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Whoop whoop! More than half way there now - go dreamrun 💪🏃‍♀️👍

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

Thank you! 😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Pirato Graduate]

You sound like you’re really ‘in the zone’. This program gives such a sense of purpose and amazing back up from all your running pals - not far now, you know you can do it 🤗

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Pirato]

Thank you Pirato ! 🏃‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Well done you! You're smashing it! That crown is yours for the taking.

This is such a fantastic post! I hope everyone worrying about W5R3 reads it.

I remember thinking "there's no way" when I was about to do it back in Spring 2020, and I was buzzing for days afterwards.

I'm going out for this run for the second time tomorrow. Despite that little seed of doubt at the back of my mind, you are so right. Everything I've done since restarting c25k has prepared me for it.

[dreamrun Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you Birdlady64 , it is nice that we are at the same point in our journeys together! I very much agree about the seed of doubt. Having read others successes on this forum definitely reminded me to put faith in the programme and go for it! Wishing you all the best for tomorrow! 😊 xx