I finally feel as though I have earned my graduate badge!

[jaajh]

This morning I did it! I FINALLY RAN 5 KM! I graduated from the programme about 3 weeks ago, but that 5 km has always been just much that too far for me. Today I got up determined to try again. Couldn't find my i-shuffle, so I grabbed my daughter's one as I left the house. (Thought it could be an interesting listen!) I was actually very impressed by her choice - some great songs to run to! Anyway, I got to my usual 4 km point, when I normally give up and walk the last km as I am just too tired, and sure enough, once again I felt incredibly tired. Really did not think my legs could keep running for another 1 km. Then a certain song came on my daughter's shuffle: I am a woman on a mission. I have just googled the lyrics so you can see why it motivated me to carry on. This is the chorus/end refrain:

I am a woman, on a mission, whoa

Nothing can stop me, I'm stronger than ever

I'm gonna see this through

I am a woman, on a mission, whoa

Whatever it takes I'll do what I gotta do

I never give up, I never give up, I never give up

I'm on a mission

I never give up, I never give up,

I'm gonna see this through

I never give up, I never give up, I never give up

I'm on a mission

Whatever it takes, I'll do what I gotta do.

Had a little laugh to myself (actually that may have been out loud, but I think I was out early enough for noone to be around to hear me!) and I CONTINUED! AND I made it to 5 km! YES! In 41 minutes too - I am really very impressed with myself!

My legs now ache like mad, but I doubt I'll need them much today - feel as though I am just floating around. I FINALLY earned that graduate badge!

[Stephanie-j Graduate]

Well done! A fellow runner posted this link yesterday. The BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth used the same song to keep motivated whilst running the London marathon.

m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-1...

Still over 1km away from the magical 5 myself, might give the song a listen!

[jaajh Graduate in reply to Stephanie-j]

Thanks for that link! Just looked at it! WOW! She managed a marathon! Rather pales my mere 5 km - but obviously I need to get that song on my i-shuffle now too (or my daughter will lose hers each time I run!)