Week 9 Run 3 - Graduated (again) 🌧️

[Jools2020]

I’m not a big fan of running in the rain, so when I woke up and saw it was tipping down, I hesitated. I checked the forecast and it looked like there was going to be a gap in the rain. There wasn’t! So, I bravely donned my lightweight waterproof jacket and set out, amazed at myself!

It was still quite warm. I set off slowly after my warm up walk. First km starts off downhill and I always take it easy anyway. Second km I’m not really sure what happened, but couldn’t find my pace and struggled! No real danger of stopping, the stamina was there - but I slowed down. My coach was encouraging me all the way 😊. I turned soon after the halfway bell.

I found my pace at the beginning of the third km and then it was smooth sailing. I remembered graduating the first time in July 2020 and how surprised I was that I managed to do it! I remembered all the support on this lovely forum.

As I got closer to 3K I started to speed up a little. I knew I’d cover around 3.5K and I wanted to finish strong even though I was pushing myself. It’s difficult to gauge my pace on this route as much of the time I’m running under trees and don’t get an accurate pace from my watch.

My coach tells me the run is over, but I’m near 3.4K so I run on for 30 seconds or so. Strava and Garmin haven’t agreed much lately and I wanted to record the full 30 minutes!

So, I did it again. Feeling pleased with myself as I head for home and coffee. Oh, and today, definitely, the breakfast of champions! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍🥇🏆🎉☕️🥣

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

Absolutely well done Jools, great progress and now you are definitely back! Enjoy your well earned breakfast 😋

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

Thanks! I’m just about to have it 😊

[Roxdog Graduate]

Woohoo! Now you can run just as you like - good news! Porridge day I assume!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you! Can’t wait to go on a long run. I guess I’ll have to build up to it gradually 😊

[schrody444 Graduate]

What a fab achievement, congratulations!💪💫

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to schrody444]

Thank you! 👏

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Huge congratulations to you Jools! 🤗 yay!! So awesome 💜🙏💜

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ToothPickJafah]

Thanks! Now the real fun begins 😊

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Brilliant! Run completed, rain conquered, fast finish! All this and breakfast too!!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks! I can count on one hand the times I’ve run in the rain 🤣

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I love rain running, at least usually I do. There have been some real cloud bursts recently, not quite my idea of fun!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I was taken by surprise by a sudden cloudburst a while ago. It had been spitting but as I turned at the halfway bell, 2 things happened! The heavens opened with torrential rain and Freddie Mercury started singing “It’s a Beautiful Day” through my headphones! I was soaked in 2 seconds flat and I just looked up at the sky in disbelief 😄

[Gthants]

Brilliant - well done! To do it once is amazing (as I can vouch for 🫣) but to know what's coming, grit your teeth and push through it is just awesome. Excellent work. And now you have a group to run with sometimes too!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

I think I found the structure easy. Just did what I was told, knowing the program works! Now I have to make a training schedule for myself 😊. Starting on Saturday with a 35 minute slow run!

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

Yes! This is the challenge now: to keep it going without training wheels!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Flipping awesome 💯😎💯 rain or no rain you've re graduated and I hope you feel totally proud of the runner you are 😃😃😃

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sue! I am pleased 😊👍😁

[Beatlesforever Graduate]

Yay congratulations!! 🎉🏅👏👏👏 I bet you enjoyed your porridge this morning 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks! I certainly did. Ran out of maple syrup so had golden syrup on it this morning 😊

[Beatlesforever Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Delicious! 😋

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Woo hoo🥳🎉🎊 Very well done, but it was never in any doubt, apart from the rain maybe 😉. In some ways it's harder second time round to stick to the plan but you did it and have every right to be pleased with yourself.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Funny but I found it easy to stick to the plan. I didn’t have to make any decisions 🤣

Yes, I do feel pleased! 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Well done on regraduating from C25K Jools2020, you should feel very pleased with yourself, I hope you enjoyed that coffee and the breakfast of champions which you are.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you, Al! I enjoyed both the coffee and the porridge (with a banana and golden syrup!)

I must get some more chocolate swirl ice cream lollies! 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Yummy 😋 ✅👍

[nowster Graduate]

Huge congratulations on climbing back up on the log. 🏆🏃‍♀️🏅

We skirted Bracknell on the bypass on Saturday afternoon whilst on the way to Kent, and I mentioned to Herself that you were somewhere round that area and gave a very short potted history.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thanks! I knew you were somewhere in the area from your posts and Strava! You should have popped in 😊

[nowster Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I'd never impose like that. 😁

And anyway, we were trying to arrive in good time to get out again to get something to eat that evening.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Next time maybe! You would both be welcome.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

We'd possibly be going the reverse direction a week on Saturday...

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I’ll put the kettle on! 😊

[Peter44 Graduate]

Well done you 👏👏👏 second time too, no stopping you now, your running group sounds a good idea, glad your settling in at new home/area too. 😃

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter! I should have played Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now on my run! Yes, settling in well 😊

[Petem56 Graduate]

Congratulations Jools, so pleased for you, now the hard part begins, the part where you have to do the planning. keep us posted.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Petem56]

Thanks, Pete. Yes, you’re right. A few weeks of consolidation - not making any drastic changes, then I’ll write my plan! Just want to get my body used to running 3 x a week for a while first.

[Folkylass Graduate]

Fabulous! Congratulations on your graduation Jools 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥳🥳🎉🎉👏👏.you’ve smashed it! I bet your breakfast of champions tasted good 😂😂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Folkylass]

Thsnks - yes, the breakfast of champions was delicious, with extra golden syrup 🤣

[Folkylass Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

yummy!👍😂😂

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Brilliant! 👏🏻👏🏻 well done for getting out in the rain and congratulations on completing the programme (again) fantastic ☺️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Thank you! The rain wasn’t too bad - only a couple of puddles I had to avoid 😊

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Congratulations! Let the fun begin 🥳

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Oh yessss! 😊

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Well done you-run and breakfast sound fab.👏🏼🏆🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to JeremiahObadiah]

Thanks! Did you find some sunglasses? 😊

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I inherited some from my son. Izipizi. They are good for the time being. 😎

[hamit Graduate]

Rock on, 👏

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to hamit]

Haha, yes! I will rock on - slowly ! 🤣

[Dancerunner]

Huge Congratulations! and in the rain n all! Well done, hope you enjoyed your champion's breakfast 😍😍🤗

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Dancerunner]

Thank you! I’m just a girly wuss about the rain. It really wasn’t too bad 😊

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

Well apart from the rain, sounds like a really progression run (Im the opposite, I adore running in the rain!)🌧️🌧️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Hedgehogs123]

I think with me it’s the idea of it I don’t like. Once I’m out in it, I realise it’s actually ok 😊

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate]

Well done, and well done again! That's fantastic.

The first ten minutes are a killer aren't they! I think after that we get into a different zone mentally and just relax more into it.

Not much fun running in the rain, but you got there and smashed it.

All the best

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Frankenfoot23]

Thanks! Yes, that downpour almost had me. I was about 3 minutes from home and contemplated turning back! 😄

[PeggySusi Graduate]

Congratulations! So pleased you did it again. Proper champion indeed..💐👏🏆🤗

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank you! 😊

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Making excellent progress there Jools. Well done. 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you, Brian! 😊