anyone else get jumpy the closer to the finish!.

[Gentlydoesnt]

I start week 8 tomorrow , so 6 runs to go. I have been out in all weathers pouring rain and high winds and not missed one yet, as I am reaching the end of the basic 9 week programme I’m getting worried in case I catch something that prevents me doing all 27 runs on time. I do have spinal issues due to doing a lot of lifting over the years in work and felt a twinge this morning and I got to worrying and thinking “I hope it doesn’t prevent me from completing before Christmas”. Has anyone else felt this sort of thing or is it just me !. Fingers crossed that my stable period of health continues for another two weeks, but there’s a lot of ill health going about at this time.

[mummybowles Graduate]

I've missed a week due to this nasty chest virus thing that's doing the rounds. I'm sure you'll be fine but if not, don't worry - it takes some people much longer than the standard 9 weeks to graduate. I'm hoping to get back on track after this weekend; just giving myself a couple more days to feel 100%. Good luck with Week Eight - I'll join you as soon as !!

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to mummybowles]

Yes here’s hoping that’s very soon MB, it will only be a matter of time u til I get it as I always seem to. Had pleurisy in the past and hopefully I stay clear of any bugs for a fortnight at least it but you never can tell!.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hey... Calm down, it's not a race.. it'd be nice to finish before Christmas but don't worry if it doesn't happen, a lot of people have to take a break of a week or so, including me .....it took ages to complete the programme but since then I've run 5k 10k and 10 miles, This year ill health meant a break of 5 months but I ran this morning and that'll do.

Best of luck avoiding winter bugs 😁

[moopo]

I started my first week 1 run in February. I have repeated quite a few runs, I'll probably be done by Christmas. Might not

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

it’s interesting how people approach this programme, from my own personal viewpoint I’d like to achieve it within the 9 weeks if possible because I thought the whole point of it was to stretch your body beyond its comfort zone and increase stamina and endurance by for example the increase from spaced runs to single runs later on. I have felt a lot better about myself during this programme mainly because I have lost a considerable amount of weight. I put that down. To firstly this program educating me into getting up early to do it on the first place and then eating things I never used to eat. I have lost over a stone I weight since starting the programme 13.2 down to 12.1 today and I am very happy I decided on trying it. I feel a lot more energetic and seem to enjoy the challenge of it . Obviously what happens afterwards is the thing I just wish they had done a second NHS section 5k onwards or something similar, I do enjoy the motivation of Steve Cram pushing you forward.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Gentlydoesnt]

I understand that once you've completed C25K the app will unlock three post-C25K runs, and apparently you can still choose Steve Cram as your coach for those.Although I don't get on with audio-coached runs, many people love Nike Run Club.

As for completing within nine weeks, I get why that feels good. However, it's not the be-all-and-end-all. The point of C25K as I understand it is not to be a nine-week challenge, but to get you to a point where you can run for 30 minutes continuously, with the idea of making running a part of a more active lifestyle.

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks for that info

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏There is nothing wrong with a personal challenge! If you follow the program & complete it 9 weeks you will be one happy lady & rightfully so!! You have worked hard and set the bar high. You have that nagging doubt because you want it SO badly..

The only way to deal with that fear is to burst 💥 that bubble of fear…. & that’s what the others are trying to say… if life happens & you go down with something or whatever .. you will eventually do it!! In fact it will take more courage to face it & get over the disappointment but you will..

However nothing has happened yet so keep on going after the dream! We are all behind you & what a sweet victory it will be!

Good news for you is that there may be a choice of 5K plans coming on Bridge in the New Year… see the details about joining Bridge to 10k here…🌟

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks for that I will check it out appreciated

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

No worries lady / man in this day and age no one should take offence!!,

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

I was referring to myself cheers

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Gentlydoesnt]

🍏 Apologies 🏃‍♂️ but edited now!

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

No need to apologise for anything , all the best

[Richard7 Graduate]

I do know what you mean ... I have regular days that I run on at the moment so that my running doesn't get in the way of other things and am now paranoid about missing a day and screwing up the week! Also my knees have been a problem to me and I am waiting for them to shout at me!I am just finishing week 8 today and instead of worrying about it I am just enjoying the fact that I am here.

Stay positive the running gods are behind you and so are we 😃

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Thank you Richard I know what you mean about knee problems , mine are terrible , 5 more runs to go for me. I usually have the run out of the way by 6.45am.

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Gentlydoesnt]

Ooh that's too early for me 😀

[drl212 Graduate]

I think it's natural to worry as you get close to your goal. But what's the worst thing to happen if you complete on 26 Dec? Its still a complete!

All the best with your last six runs and do keep us posted...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Things happen to upend our plans... believe me, right now, I totally understand that !

But...as my Nan used to tell me, however much we worry, it won't change things. ( My Nan was a wise woman ..98 years old and she had seen so much during her lifetime) !

So... if that is the way of it, then, it is, how we deal with it.

You have worked hard to get where you want to be... and I totally understand your excitement and concern... but, if you catch one of the loads of yukky things going around, and it sets you back , then you do.

I am going to just say... Three As ! Yep... the famous ( or should I say infamous), three words...

Take a peek if you have time.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

The runs wait... your Graduation run will wait and believe me, when it does... you will celebrate it and it will be so sweet!

On you go !

[Baggieboy61 Graduate]

Strange you should say that. Like you I have gone through the program pretty much unscathed. Had a bit of an issue with the back of my knee but I carried on with no major worries. Today is my last run of week 9. lo and behold I get up this morning and my knee has flared up again. Not too bad but it’s there. Might be tension. Bit of anxiety. I’m not due to run until 2 PM so I’ll see how I am then. I’ll take an extra couple of days rest if needed but I hope that won’t be necessary. 🤞

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏🙃 tx edited

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

well I’m now only 4 runs from the finish , if all goes to plan I’ll do the last one a week on Monday, went out bright and early this morning ( well not exactly bright , but certainly early ). I much prefer running in the dark when no one is about and hardly any traffic so when I have to take to the kerbside I can without being as worried. All of the long runs I’ve completed before 7am and I aim to continue same. I will come back on the day of my final run to update anyone who may be interested. This is a great forum full of inspirational and friendly folks.

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

that’s week 8 done and dusted felt pretty good in the run today , boiler woke me up at 4.30 so I thought get up and do the run and I went further in the allotted time average pace of 6.08 per km. one week to go. I went a completely different route than my normal and interestingly I saw two other folks running at 5.00am !, so it’s not just me who’s barmy then!!.

I think this is more than likely my most enjoyable run so far , I was listening to some nice jazz by the Pat Metheny Group - The Way Up and I found the run and the music very uplifting.

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate]

that’s the penultimate run done , head wind most of it and raining didn’t feel as good as the first of this week but the goal is in sight managed 4.8km in the 30. Looking forward to doing as best I can 48 hours from now .

[moopo in reply to Gentlydoesnt]

Nice work. I'm into the final runs now and managed a similar 3miles in 30 mins. Looking to try a little faster on the next few runs see to see if I can get towards 5k in my next 30.

[Gentlydoesnt Graduate in reply to moopo]

Thank you , fingers crossed though as my stomach seems a little off today I’m hoping that it clears up before Monday although im only three days into the final week so could drag it out a couple of extra days but I’d like to complete in the every other day scenario I’ve been religiously sticking to! , I must have done 30 runs so far and at complete 31 as I’ve done extra runs in weeks 2 / 4 / 6 and week 9 total of 3 runs ends on Monday. Say for example if my week began on a Monday that would mean two days at the end of the week with no activity so put an extra one in before commencing the following week. Although my maths is probably failing me whatever I’ve ran every other day during the 9 weeks . I’m just relieved that I didn’t feel like I do at 5am this morning as I probably would of bailed for the first time which would been hard to take. I really like running at that time as there is usually no one about at all , no one waiting to get the bus to work or any dog walkers you just have the paths to yourself .