Laura said "you can definitely do this" ...

[rosn123]

... so I did it!! Just back from my third run of week 9. Can't say it was easy but there was no way I was going to stop on this one. Even overtook a couple of really slow joggers which made me think back to my first week. I have definitely progressed. So pleased with myself. Haven't made it to 5k yet but that's something to aim for now. Have also lost half a stone which is great. A bit to go yet but a good start.

Thanks to everyone who posts and encourages on here - it's the best forum I've come across.

[rolphie2 Graduate]

Well done, excellent, you should be so proud. Keep running

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done that is a brilliant achievement

[Mitts Graduate]

Congratulations, really well done - we are a great forum, aren't we?

Now you can have fun planning your runs for yourself - 5K+ podcasts, own music, park runs if you have one near you (I am so jealous of people who have a park run to go to)

Onwards!

[rosn123 Graduate in reply to Mitts]

I've already downloaded the 5k+ podcasts but might do a couple of runs on my own before I start them. I have a parkrun near me and have got my barcode ready but checking the results I would be by far the slowest person. They would have to wait around for about 10 minutes waiting for me to finish :-(. Might wait a bit before I attempt one.

[Mitts Graduate in reply to rosn123]

I think the best way is to do something that's fun, that you enjoy, and at the same time keep challenging yourself even though the structure of the W1, W2 etc is gone now.

I alternate runs with my own music, and the 5K+ Stamina and Speed. I found Stepping Stones a bit too slow at the start, I was falling over my feet trying to keep time. If you've overtaken other joggers you're not the slowest runner in the pack - try Stepping Stones first and when you want a bigger challenge go on to Stamina.

I graduated three weeks ago and since then I've noticed an increase in speed and distance, I can do about 5K in 35 minutes and one giddy day I very nearly made 5K in 30, to my own music.

I find the 'own music' runs much more fun, couldn't do without them too!

[vixiej Graduate]

Congratulations, well done!!!

[Hidden]

Huge congratulations rosn123 - I bet you feel on top of the world! I'm listening to the c25k+ podcasts as I type - they sound great (well, the music doesn't, but the whole structure and idea does) so good luck with them.

I came 3rd from last in my park run today - quite a lot of people finished in and around 15 minutes! They had to wait over 20 mins for me! But I did not care one jot, I ran the whole thing without stopping, which was my own personal goal. In my experience everyone was really friendly and I didn't feel any negative emotions by finishing so near the back. Some park runs are faster than others (mine is near a university, so the times are fast) but just do what is comfortable for you. I bet all those fast runners started out at this stage and still remember it well (a bit like how I remember being a learner driver) and we all have to start somewhere!

Good luck with your post-grad goals

[Fraz73 Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation rosn123. Amazing stuff, well done!

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Well done - I graduated last night. It's a great feeling isn't it!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Congratulations - fantastic achievement!