Couch to 5k - Done!

So last Wednesday I did my last Couch to 5k workout! I really excited and amazed that I finished it. It took me more like 12 weeks instead of 9 week.. I repeated a few weeks when I thought I needed more time on that week before moving to the next. Sometimes this was because I was not able to do the workouts without stopping or feeling like I was going to hurl. I think a lot of my hurdles were more mental than physical. If a few weeks is what I needed to jump those mental hurdles than so be it.

My real celebrating will come on June 12th when I run my first 5k. I'm running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with my sister who also completed the C25k program.  There were weeks where I just wanted to quit the program and throw in the towel. Two things stopped me from doing so. They are that I knew I had posted on here about the program and I couldn't let people see me as a quitter and mostly because my sister was doing it too and she would kick my butt if I quit on her. I think I also didn't quit because it was something I really wanted to prove to myself that I can do.

On Saturday I ran with my boyfriend on the Charles River. Well we kind of ran together. He was running right in front of me since the sidewalk wasn't huge and I kept feeling like I had to keep up. I also knew that he was running slower than usual to stay with me. So I urged him on to run at his own pace. He would run ahead and then sometimes turn back and run towards me.  In the middle of the workout I told myself that I was going to run 32 minutes instead of 30. At 32 minutes I was like I can do another minute. I did that until I got to 35 minutes. 35 minutes! Never did I imagine three weeks ago that I would be able to run for 35 minutes straight.

So what now? Maybe I"ll continue with the Bridge to 10k program? Running a 10k? Really? I don't know but it might be a good challenge and a way to make sure I keep my running going. What do you think?

***Update - I actually made it out of bed this morning to run! The rain kept me from running yesterday. I would run in the rain but that would mean no music because I can't get my iphone wet and I don't know if I'm ready for that. Anyway I am leaving after work to head for the beach so I forced myself up at 6 am to go for a run. Good times! I almost climbed back into bed when I realized I woke up with a cough and itchy throat but I powered through! And well now I'm still coughing but it's 8:30 am and I already got my workout in. Now that feels good.