Week 9, Run 3 - Who's up for a Grad Party :-)

[Clare7645]

Whoo Hooooooo I've only gone and graduated this morning.

I remember way back in Sept when I started and really wasn’t sure I could even get to week 9. I thought I would collapse running for one minutes eight times (and almost did) let alone run for 30 minutes.

Week 9 has taken me a little longer than I would have wanted but I did it! My other half is at home this week and he had to kick me out of bed for me to get my kit on. It was, dare I say it, a little easier than previously.

Since the clocks have gone back an hour, I’ll admit that I've found it a real struggle to get out of the house at 6.30am in the pitch black dark to make matters worse the route I’ve previously been running tended to leave me at least a 15 minute walk from home, which when I’m trying to run before work was becoming an unworkable route. Both of these factors were fast becoming a barrier to getting out and going for a run.

Thankfully, today I did what I should have done a couple of weeks back and started out on my usual route, then after 15 minutes I turned around and ran back towards home. By sticking to this route moving forward I’m certain that I can keep this up during the rest of winter.

I spent a good 10 minutes at home stretching so has not to suffer my usual hip / back pain and although I’ve been a little stiff but so far it’s not particularly painful.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of myself for completing this plan and at points it has been really tough and dealing with repeated injury has been a low point but overall the good runs far out way the bad.

This community has been an absolute lifeline at times, especially after those ‘bad runs’ we all get occasionally. So THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have left comments, you really don’t know how much they have helped.

I plan to keep on running for 30 minutes and get some post grad runs under my belt before attempting the 5k+ podcasts, then who knows...... maybe try the B210K

The only flaw is my future plan is that tomorrow I’m planned in to have my wisdom teeth removed at the local hospital but hopefully will be back out pounding the pavements on either Saturday or Sunday

Now I have a really big decision....... HOW DO I CELEBRATE??

[Greg_M Graduate]

Buy kit!

Go on you know you want to

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

Funny you should say that as somehow I managed to lose my running gloves on route this morning, so a trip to my local sports retailer may be in order

[gdeann Graduate]

You silly girl! To ask such a question..."how do you celebrate?" PARTY LIKE A ROCK-STAR!!!! So very happy for you and extremely proud of you!!!!!

I have the party hats and horns ready (pink & purple of course) and I'm chilling the bubbly! Only problem I can foresee will be you just might miss that dentist appointment in the morning. GREAT GOING GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!

Good luck with the wisdom teeth! OUCH!! Gayle

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Thanks Gayle I knew you'd have kept the grad party going till I arrived a glass of bubbly (or 3) sounds an ideal way to celebrate

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Hi Steve and Gayle... how's your canvassing for a Facebook page going?? Hope it goes well for you, Sara x

[Leyther1 Graduate]

Yeah party!!!! Congratulations Clare, you deserve to be proud of yourself. Well done

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to Leyther1]

Thanks Leyther1! I have to say its a pretty good feeling

[BigEd]

Eat cake! Ed x

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to BigEd]

I had a chocolate Thorntons champagne bottle all to myself it had never tasted so good

[SBG356 Graduate]

Absolutely brilliant Clare! Congratulations!! I know it hasn't been an easy journey for you but you are there now-at the finish line waiting for your medal!

Yep Gayle and me have been keeping the bubbly chilled and are waiting to raise our glasses to you are.....welcome to the graduate club. Woo hoo!! Sue x

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Thanks Sue and it's certainly been a journey but graduation is only the start really now. Onwards and upwards

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Clare7645]

Absolutely! I have loved my runs since graduating and still get a real buzz from it. There's no looking back now........

[BigEd]

Good girl, I had a Ripple as my part of your celebrations!

[smhall Graduate]

Congratulations, Clare!!!!! How to celebrate?? BIG...REALLY BIG!!!! Do it up right, girl!! YOU DESERVE IT!! It sounds like Gayle and Sue have the supplies ready so I will just help drink the bubbly!!!! I think that I will raise my current Bourbon and Coke in honor of you!!! Cheers!!!!

You have every reason to be very proud!! Completing this program is an amazing achievement and YOU DID IT!!!

Now, I expect to see you sporting that "Graduate" badge very soon!! Wear it with pride...you earned it!!

Congratulations again and Keep Running!!

Steve

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to smhall]

Thanks Steve I'm looking forward to sporting my graduate badge

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to smhall]

Hi Steve and Gayle... how's your canvassing for a Facebook page going?? Hope it goes well for you, Sara

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Fantastic achievement - well done! I hope all goes well with your wisdom teeth, and you can get back out there and enjoy your running

[Spud Graduate]

Congratulations Virtual Running Buddy - I've been waiting for this blog!!

You deserve to be proud of yourself. Well done!!

I am amazed at how far we have come in just 9 (ish!!!) weeks when a 1 minute run was difficult and 3 / 5 / 8 / 10!!!! minute runs were more than daunting / something to be scared of!!!

I am doing the same as you and trying to "consolidate" on 30 minute runs before attempting the 5k+ podcasts.

As I am running about 4.5k in 30 mins my current plan is to do 2 x 30 minute runs and 1 x a bit longer 5k run each week.

Hope you enjoyed / are enjoying the post Grad party!!

(and that the hospital appointment goes ok)

Happy Running

x

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to Spud]

Thanks Spud, I've been determined to join you all as a graduate just had a final couple of barriers to get over first

[Pearsey]

Well done Clare! Wooo,Woo,Wooo-you are a G.R.A.D.U.A.T.E..............!

So very pleased for you hun, you've had a rough ride at times.

How to celebrate-shout it from the rooftops! :-)! Wear your Grad T shirt, and tell EVERYONE you meet on your runs about c-5k :-). Party! Party!Party!!! :-).

You completed the journey-now you start another. Enjoy running for the next few weeks-then onto Stepping Stones-this is where you really learn how to run. Go Girl!

Keep on Running!

Colette x

[Clare7645 Graduate in reply to Pearsey]

Thanks Colette I've already been telling everyone about the plan that I'm in danger of becoming a running bore (though I'm not sure there is such a thing!)

[Pearsey]

Oooooops! Forgot to say good luck with your teeth extractions. Take your time with your return to running x

[Clare7645 Graduate]

Thanks Everyone On a positive note, I got to the hospital this morning to be told my appointment had been cancelled which means I can go running tomorrow the only downside is that it means waiting for a further appointment