W9 R3 completed

[northernlass1965]

Well, I just did my final run of the programme - and I have a great big smile on my face!

I almost didn't do it though. I took my running gear with me to work today, intending to do my W9 R3 on the gym treadmill, but I felt so terrible at work all day - kind of shaky, out of sorts and with mysterious stomach pains - that when I left the office I went straight home, thinking I felt too bad and I would do the run tomorrow.

As I got off the train and walked home I thought "What a lovely cool, crisp evening - what a shame I feel too bad to run tonight."

Then I got home and within about ten minutes of being indoors a funny thing happened. Suddenly I felt much better and wanted to run. So I put my gear on and off I went, running up a long but reasonably gentle hill about 5 mins into the run.

I last did the same route in week 6 but this time it felt a lot easier, and this was the first time that I didn't feel like collapsing in a heap at the end of a road run, rather than trundling through it without incident on the nice, comfy treadmill at the gym with no hills, wind, rain, traffic or muggers to contend with

On the way back I ran past a shop that had a beautiful window display of fairy lights arranged in a huge heart and I took that as a good sign that all would be well with my health.

I got home after my run and all my aches and pains had vanished and I felt great!

It just goes to show that illness is all in the mind sometimes

[misswobble Graduate]

It does indeed! Good for you to getting out for that final run. So, that's it then. Graduation! Congratulations, well done! Doing a little dance of joy here for you. It's such a wonderful feeling to have nailed it isn't it. You really must treat yourself to a running gift, eg new shoes, a Graduate pin or a new winter run top etc. You earned it!

Be sure to apply for your virtual Graduate badge. There is a link in blue text on the right of the screen which opens up an email for you to ask for the badge. You will shortly then see "Graduate" at the side of your name

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss Wobble - I have already asked for a badge via some link I saw where lots of other people were asking for a badge, so it must be the right one.

I have ordered myself some proper running shoes online from Sport Direct, where I found them £40 cheaper than what they cost on Amazon.

Have to say though, that my old Nikes have done the job since I started C25K in August, and they are not proper running shoes, just knockabout trainers that cost about £23 in a sale five years ago. I haven't felt so much as a twinge of pain in them, although my hips are a bit sore sometimes after a run, lol!

The new shoes are also to encourage me to keep running regularly and to build up my fitness.

Thanks so much for your encouragement.

[McFitty Graduate]

Fabulous news. And it sounds like a really positive run too. Sometimes the good ones happen when we don't expect them! Congratulations and enjoy that amazing feeling of accomplishment. Happy graduation.

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Thanks McFitty - it is an amazing feeling indeed, especially when I think back to what I was like after the first run! It was by far the hardest for me and it took three days just for my body to stop aching. Unbelievable given that I only ran for 8 minutes in total

[misswobble Graduate]

Oooooh I see your Graduate badge!!! Looks lovely on! I bet you're dead chuffed with it. You should be!

Good news on the shoes! I hope you get many happy miles out of them

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for alerting me to this Misswobble and yes, I am rather taken with my shiny new badge.

I am hoping to pick up the shoes on Saturday and take them on a maiden run

[Lee337 Graduate]

Excellent stuff northernlass!! You did it. Well done!

[northernlass1965 Graduate]

Thanks Lee. Finally achieving my goal feels amazing.

[Irish-John Graduate]

I am so so happy for you ☺☺☺☺☺ Congratulations ☺☺☺☺☺

[Eatcakeandrun]

Well done! And how nice to do the final run outside too! Best wishes for your future happy running journey.

[mariamc67 Graduate]

Whoop whoop well done you 😆 It's obviously been a good night for graduation runs!

[SleepySloth Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎈

[Von99 Graduate]

Congratulations! Brilliant achievement!

[tortoisegirl Graduate]

Congratulations! Enjoy the feeling!

[Ellymeg Graduate]

What a grand graduation run you had. It was such a pleasure reading about it.

Well done you, and in the fresh air too! I lived the fairy lights in the window- must have been fate working to get you there! 🎓🍾❤️🍾🎓🍾❤️🍾🎓

Looking good in the shiny badge ✨✨✨

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Ellymeg]

Thanks - I am enjoying my shiny badge! x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

So, now the adventure starts..........

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Razouski]

Well done, you must feel really proud of yourself.

[poppypug Graduate]

Absolutely fantastic !

Massive Congratulations to you on a fantastic achievement , you should be soo proud of yourself !

I hope you enjoy wherever your running takes you from here , its only just the beginning xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations Northernlass🎉🎉🎉

That run sounds great, well done you. So pleased for you..graduate.x

I think you are right about that beautiful heart shaped window display being there just for you... as a sign that all will be ok. We all hope so.

Keep running and posting, wearing you shiny new badge. xx

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, it was one of those runs where everything felt easy ... and "divine" almost! Running is now my new medicine

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

As is running success! Congratulations - enjoy that amazing feeling!

[misswobble Graduate]

I think there's Graduation in the air. I can feel it ........ sings alonga Phil Collins ... tum ti tum

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge congratulations.. very well done!!!

Maybe you were very, very excited......the thought of graduation....

Fairy lights too...wow, they knew x

Glad you feel better tooxxx

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes, much better now thanks, Oldfloss x

[Girlyswot Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation ! Very well done! This is just the beginning of your running adventures - keep us posted and enjoy ! x

[northernlass1965 Graduate]

Thanks everyone! Tomorrow I am going to collect my shiny new running shoes (a graduation present) to go with my shiny new badge!