Yaaaaay - I've done it!: Wow, I really didn't... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,190 membersโ€ข159,536 posts

Yaaaaay - I've done it!

โ€ข30 Replies

Wow, I really didn't think I had it in me....just graduated this morning and I'm beyond chuffed. So I'm going to grind some coffee beans, froth up some milk and treat myself to a lovely (I hope) cup of coffee

Strangely, I've started every single run of the programme quite convinced that I wouldn't be able to finish...and this one was no different. Does that feeling of doubt/fear ever go?

Also, why does it take a minimum 20 minutes of running for it to become easier, smoother and more rhythmical? I do all the pre-stretches and a couple of dynamic ones but the first 20 minutes I always feel like a three-legged donkey carrying concrete....

I always smile when other people post saying they run slowly - they have no idea what slow really is - ha ha! I may have run 30 minutes but I covered only 3K.

So perhaps more experienced runners could advise on my dilemma: Do I stay on 30 mins per run and try to increase the speed slowly....or do I keep the speed and try to increase the distance?

Have a lovely day everyone!

30 Replies
โ€ข
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate

Absolutely fantastic! Massive congratulations to you on your achievement. First and foremost, how are you celebrating? ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ…๐Ÿฅณโค๏ธ

Two things to do now:

Request your well earned badge hereโ€ฆ

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Have you spotted weโ€™ve got threads running now for people in your position? Itโ€™s worth checking in there- ย Folkylass will give you a warm welcome. Hereโ€™s the latest one:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Thereโ€™s great support and advice on post graduation running on there.

I would stick at thirty minutes without trying to increased pace and just enjoy your runs for a bit. You can gradually build to 5k over time by following another plan or gradually increasing the length of one of your runs. Thatโ€™s usually a much better way to go than trying to get faster. Itโ€™s a great goal to have and weโ€™ve got things we can suggest to get you there. Thereโ€™s plenty of time for that though. Celebrating now is the priority!

โ€ข in reply toMissUnderstanding

Thanks MisUnderstanding - lovely encouragement and great info. I'm celebrating with the best cup of fresh coffee I've ever made...and boring my family with self-congratulatory whatsapps!!!!!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduateโ€ข in reply to

Coffee is my reward of choice too! My old profile pic was a cup of coffee before I changed it to the shadow one. I thoroughly approve. If your family get bored of run chat, we never get bored here!!! Thatโ€™s one of the things I like about this place-itโ€™s probably good for my marriage too! MrU runs a bit but he doesnโ€™t care about the minute details of my runs in the same way people here do! โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ

When youโ€™re ready, bridge to 10k is a great place to continue your run journey. The name is a bit misleading-although itโ€™s for people building to 10k, itโ€™s also for those who have finished couch to 5k (or equivalent) and are increasing their run duration.

โ€ข in reply toMissUnderstanding

Great intel MisUnderstanding - thanks so much!

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

๐ŸThe very first thing you do is celebrate and change your name to Supergranny!!! Wow! Well done!! An amazing achievement! You will ride high on this buzz for a few days!!

I will send you links to all the FAQ about what happens next.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

That heavy feeling in the legs is called the toxic 10 & here is another link that explains it.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy that coffee โ˜•๏ธ you richly deserve it!!! Congratulations!!!

โ€ข in reply toAnnieapple

Thanks for all your support Annieapple - yes I'm buzzing (and it's not just the coffee!!)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Huge well done to you... come and get that badge!!!!

You have had all the info so now... after the celebration you can start exploring... it all starts here ! x

โ€ข in reply toOldfloss

Thanks Oldfloss - I can't tell you how much you have all helped me along!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateโ€ข in reply to

But you ran it!!! xxx

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Thats not that slow, i can run just over 3k in 30 minutes and thats in a good day. Ive been running for years. Consolidate well, mix it up a bit, and have fun.

โ€ข in reply toSueAppleRun

That makes me feel a lot better - thanks! Yes, fun has got to be the main driver, hasn't it!

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassGraduate

Hi maisiesgranny! Congratulations on you graduation ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“!๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿฅณ. Have you received your virtual badge yet?. Well now then pop yourself over to the Graduates Club and youโ€™ll be welcomed with open arms. It a great place to catch up with other graduates who are in their consolidation period and youโ€™ll be able to see how others are getting on aswell as sharing each others ideas and running experiences. So come along โ€ฆ.Iโ€™m looking forward to seeing you๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿฅฐ

Thanks Folkylass - I'll be right along!

Cookscat profile image
CookscatGraduate

Well done ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ˜—โ˜•๏ธ๐Ÿˆ

โ€ข in reply toCookscat

Thank you - it means a lot!

Oldrunninglady profile image
Oldrunninglady

Well done Hidden !! I almost run backwards but I guess it's ok ๐Ÿ‘ xx

โ€ข in reply toOldrunninglady

Me too! But I'm shocked by the number of people who re-assure me that they run slowly....and then they disappear in a puff of smoke like a greyhound out of the slips. I comfort myself with the thought that they're all 40 years younger than me ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

MargoPuffyPants profile image
MargoPuffyPantsGraduate

Well done Hidden ! Youโ€™re a shining star! Enjoy that lovely coffee ๐Ÿ˜Š.

You will lose that โ€˜am I going to make it?โ€™ feeling the more you run. Youโ€™ll recognise that itโ€™s your mind that makes you doubt you can do it but your body is fit enough now. Do some consolidation runs and then decide if you want speed or distance.

Good luck and congratulations ๐Ÿƒ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ‘

โ€ข in reply toMargoPuffyPants

Thanks MargoPuffyPants - yes I only discovered the concept of consolidation last night - sounds like a jolly good wheeze to me!!

00marks profile image
00marksGraduate

Congratulations on completing C25K!

โ€ข in reply to00marks

Thank you sooo much! Hope it's going well with you too.

Jade8 profile image
Jade8Graduate

Enjoy that we'll deserved coffee! ๐Ÿ‘

Thank you - I did. It tasted great!

Laralou2 profile image
Laralou2Graduate

Fantastic news!!!! Congratulations ๐Ÿฅณ

Itโ€™s a great feeling isnโ€™t it!!

You should be very proud of yourself.๐Ÿค—x

โ€ข in reply toLaralou2

Thanks Laralou - funny though it may sound, it's actually one of the things in my life I'm proudest of because it took determination and commitment ....and I didn't think I had either. Funny what you learn about yourself even at an advanced age!!!

Cookscat profile image
CookscatGraduate

Hi , Iโ€™m a fairly new runner , coming up for a year , I did the C25K twice , one right after each other , I found the waking and running quite hard second time round so just ran it , I continued to run 30 mins 3/4 times a week for 1 month then started to increase speed and distance gradually , eventually got to 60 mins , I go with time not distance , I run 7mins warm up, after I ran 60 mins I know I can run anything under that confidently , I love running , I did it all on a treadmill but Iโ€™m running both outside and the treadmill , ๐Ÿˆ

โ€ข in reply toCookscat

Wow, that's really interesting Cookscat - and congratulations....sixty minutes running is really quite something. I'll try to follow your example. Have decided to have three weeks consolidation, during which time I'll work out what I'm going to do next. Thanks for replying.

Cookscat profile image
CookscatGraduateโ€ข in reply to

Your welcome ๐Ÿˆ

CredenceRainyDay profile image
CredenceRainyDayGraduate

Well done maisiesgranny. ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐ŸŽ‰

Thank you so much - it's a great feeling!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

I've done it!!

Yes, have just finished Week 9 Run 3 - from a steady walker who couldn't run for a bus to save her...
Annienz profile image
Graduateโ€ข

W9 r3 done! I've done it!

Today's run seemed harder than the other two this week, maybe because I really didn't want it to be...
Lon70 profile image
Graduateโ€ข

I've done it!

I can't quite believe it, but I've finished week 5, run 3! A big, big insurmountable milestone...
Tracey001 profile image
Graduateโ€ข

I've done it! C25K Graduation!

This morning I completed my third run of week 9! I am a C25K Graduate! I still can't quite believe...
mog7 profile image
Graduateโ€ข

I've done it! I've graduated! ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿƒ

Can't believe that's the end of the programme. I did my final run this morning and powered through...
Nomoreexcuses profile image
Graduateโ€ข

Moderation team

See all
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.