Over the finishing line.....

I've done it I went out for my final run of Wk9 this morning, just aiming to get round really as I've had a bit of an upset tum for a couple of days. In fact I matched my 'personal best' distance from Monday - I think - I accidentally reset Laura at about 26:00 mins and had to go by my watch!

I had a 15mins cool down walk, started to do my stretches in the living room, and burst into tears! I think it was seeing Mothers Day cards from the children, one says how proud they are of me - and I'm proud of myself for getting to the end of the programme.

If anyone is in the middle weeks and finding it hard I would say, really try to keep going because I've seen fantastic improvements in my physical and mental wellbeing - I'm more positive, I sleep better, walk taller and feel really relaxed after running. I also got beeped at this morning by a van driver

It's taken me ten weeks - I squeezed in an extra eight runs up to the end of Wk5 but have been running every other day. I think Wk3 was the hardest, it was icy and snowy, everything ached and I didn't think my calves would ever cooperate enough for me to run for more than 2 minutes. But they have

Over that time I've lost 17lbs - and two jeans sizes - with a sensible diet, running and some toning exercises at home. I'd like to lose another stone - except now I feel like I'm not running to lose weight, I'm losing weight to improve my running!

Over the next few weeks I'm aiming to consolidate a bit, one run each week will include some intervals and another will be over a 5k route so that I'm running for a bit longer than 30 mins. I've got the B210K podcasts that Andy (I think?) kindly posted the other day and I can try my own music too. And maybe I'll repeat the Wk9 podcast once a week if I'm missing Laura (and Julie!)

All working up to a Park Run sometime soon. Cos, I'm a runner now

[teamgreen Graduate]

Well done and proud you should be. Congratulations on getting through the program and doing so well.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

thats brilliant. I was trying to think of excuses why I should leave todays run (trying to put off getting outside) & your post has inspired me to get on with it!!

congratulations XX

enjoy the rest of the day & I hope you are going to celebrate with something nice

[Greg_M Graduate]

Fantastic, well done!

Love the idea that you now are looking to lose weight to improve your running! I do believe you are officially hooked XD

[Cazabees]

well done! you should be so proud!

[Minuette Graduate]

Fantastic really really excellent!!!!

Can't wait till I'm at the same stage (I'm on week 6 now) but I'm loving every minute of it and your post has really motivated me

[bethisrunning]

Made me well up a bit reading your post! Well done! Fantastic that you've lost all that weight too, your amazing!

Great to hear your plans for the next few weks as well - keep us updated on life beyond c25k!

[blueboots Graduate]

I also welled up a bit reading your post. No wonder they are proud of you, you have done so well. It's great that you are planning ahead and enjoying the running. Congratulations and I hope you are going to treat yourself to some lovely reward.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Congratulations!

[OldNed Graduate]

Great stuff. Attagirl !!! (I'm a week behind you, and still loving it - altho it's never easy!)

[bonnie68 Graduate]

Brilliant!! I like your graduationi ideas as have just finished too and am needing to get a new plan! Made me laugh as will also keep "julie"around for a while. I am going to run the warm-down 5 mins at end of week 9 over next few weeks, then try the bridge to 10k, but that is still a bit daunting..