Yaaaaay - I've done it!

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!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Absolutely fantastic! Massive congratulations to you on your achievement. First and foremost, how are you celebrating? 🏃‍♀️🎉👩‍🎓🏅🥳❤️

Two things to do now:

Request your well earned badge here…

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Have you spotted we’ve got threads running now for people in your position? It’s worth checking in there-  Folkylass will give you a warm welcome. Here’s the latest one:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

There’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. That’s usually a much better way to go than trying to get faster. It’s a great goal to have and we’ve got things we can suggest to get you there. There’s plenty of time for that though. Celebrating now is the priority!

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

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 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

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!!! That’s one of the things I like about this place-it’s probably good for my marriage too! MrU runs a bit but he doesn’t care about the minute details of my runs in the same way people here do! ❤️❤️❤️

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

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Great intel MisUnderstanding - thanks so much!

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏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 ☕️ you richly deserve it!!! Congratulations!!!

[Hidden in reply to Annieapple]

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

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

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

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

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

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

But you ran it!!! xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

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.

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

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

[Folkylass Graduate]

Hi maisiesgranny! Congratulations on you graduation 👩‍🎓!🥳🥳. Have you received your virtual badge yet?. Well now then pop yourself over to the Graduates Club and you’ll be welcomed with open arms. It a great place to catch up with other graduates who are in their consolidation period and you’ll be able to see how others are getting on aswell as sharing each others ideas and running experiences. So come along ….I’m looking forward to seeing you👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😂😂🥰

[Hidden]

Thanks Folkylass - I'll be right along!

[Cookscat Graduate]

Well done 👏 👏 😗☕️🐈

[Hidden in reply to Cookscat]

Thank you - it means a lot!

[Oldrunninglady]

Well done Hidden !! I almost run backwards but I guess it's ok 👍 xx

[Hidden in reply to Oldrunninglady]

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 😂😂

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate]

Well done Hidden ! You’re a shining star! Enjoy that lovely coffee 😊.

You will lose that ‘am I going to make it?’ feeling the more you run. You’ll recognise that it’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 🏃🎉🥳👏

[Hidden in reply to MargoPuffyPants]

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

[00marks Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K!

[Hidden in reply to 00marks]

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

[Jade8 Graduate]

Enjoy that we'll deserved coffee! 👏

[Hidden]

Thank you - I did. It tasted great!

[Laralou2 Graduate]

Fantastic news!!!! Congratulations 🥳

It’s a great feeling isn’t it!!

You should be very proud of yourself.🤗x

[Hidden in reply to Laralou2]

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 Graduate]

Hi , I’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 I’m running both outside and the treadmill , 🐈

[Hidden in reply to Cookscat]

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 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Your welcome 🐈

[CredenceRainyDay Graduate]

Well done maisiesgranny. 👏 👏👏👏🎉

[Hidden]

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