I am a graduate what can I say.

[glendam52]

What an amazing programme it has taken me off the couch were I have been forever as I hated PE at school and have never ran for anything.

6 weeks off 60 and at the start of this year was about 6 stone overweight.

Followed weight watchers but combined with excercise I have lost nearly 40lb.

I feel better have more energy and have lost inches too.

The run today was better than the previous 2 but am I the only one that wanted a fanfare at the end.

So if you are starting this programme or are stuggling somewhere on the journey dont think.

This prgramme is for previously fit people ---no it isnt.

This programme is just for people half my age --- no it isnt.

This programme is for people who are slim--- no it isnt.

I cant do it ----oh yes you can at your pace own and trust this programme.

Also come on here and moan and we will sympathise be proud and we will celebrate with you. Its a fantastic community.

Thankyou to everyone who has passed on there knowledge to newbies and good luck to everyone else wherever you are in the programme.

[jooniemac Graduate]

Oh well done, I am proud of you, what an amazing achievement. I too started this very unfit and have just completed my 2nd run of week 9 about 5mins ago...I turned 50 last week and my new motto is "fit and 50", I also stopped smoking 3 weeks ago. As for the fanfare you are not alone, I would like to hear the bells ringing. I agree this is a fantastic community full of support and humour to keep you going through the programme. I plan to do my final run on mon or tues, but that wont be the end of my time on this blog, as it has kept me going through tough times, hearing inspiring stories from young and old, male and female, fit or unfit. Here's to couch to 5k keep the story going and tell everyone about it, I know I am

[glendam52 Graduate]

Thankyou that means alot and good luck with your final run too.

I have no intention of leaving this group as I still need to get to 5k but as I was doing that warm down today I ran for and extra minute on a much faster speed so I am hopeful that I can improve slowly.

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

O, Glendam...soooo glad to see your graduation post! You are doing so well in your "new life"!

I'm not sure I would have stuck it out this far if it wouldn't have been for this "room" either....young or old, fat or fit, swift or slow....we're all in this together.

Congratulations! Toot...to..to....tooooooot! (did that sound like a fanfare? lol)

Have fun, and keep coming back to let us know how you're doing, ok?

[pingle Graduate]

Fantastic Glendam52. Well done on all your achievements and what a great post! I too think there should be a special W9R3 podcast. With a trumpet fanfare at the end! I think we all deserve it.

[glendam52 Graduate]

thanks gramma I loved my fanfare feel a proper graduate now.

[glendam52 Graduate]

thanks pingle I know each run completed is all part of an amazing journey but that last one had me in tears of joy.

[Dansmum Graduate]

Congratulations and well done you, I hope to join you by the end of next week.

I totally agree with everything you've said in your blog and look forward to hearing about your post graduation runs.

[glendam52 Graduate]

good luck with next week Dansmum and thankyou.

[blueboots Graduate]

That is fantastic, congratulations and well done......toot toot toot tooooot.....my effort at a fanfare. I know what you mean, I really wanted a fanfare at the end of my graduation run. While my daughter was doing her graduation run my husband/her dad followed us to the car park and covered her car in balloons with messages written on them all congratulating her, then he drove home so when she got back to the car park it was a total surprise

[glendam52 Graduate]

ah thats fabulous blueboots how lovely.

My OH did rush in with a Glenda is a graduate runner on to put on the pinboard by my treadmill.

[icandothis Graduate]

Been waiting for this blog, many congratulations to you on completing your graduation run. Its a great achievement and a great feeling, sadly there is not an actual fanfare for our runs but i am playing an electronically one for you, and of course the best it yet to come, wait until you see that lovely graduate badge against your name, you will be smiling for days i was. Congratulation once again

[glendam52 Graduate]

thanks so much icandothis with all my fanfares that are now blowing I cant help smiling hoping to see my badge before I go on holiday.

[Moley01 Graduate]

Very well done glendam52 - that 's brilliant news and very well deserved

[Nevertoolate Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating! I only saw your blog today before setting out to do W7R1. I've read your comments for weeks and you're always so supportive and encouraging for others. I'm glad you've made it and it's an inspiration to us 50-somethings! I had never done sport since schooldays too and I just wish I'd come across something like this programme before. Don't you regret those 30-odd years? I know I do. Good luck getting to 5k!

[glendam52 Graduate]

Thanks Moley

Nevertoo you cant know how lovely your post is I have never been an inspiration to anyone in anything sporty always chosen last you know how it is and if I have helped any one with my messages I am thrilled. I certainly wish that I had found this even 10 years ago but what an amazing programme and forum to help me get off that couch been there so long grown roots.