Wrapping up the year, this group of talented staff from across NHS Gloucestershire completed their couch to 30 minute programme. This has to be recorded as our biggest graduation in which we saw staff from NHS England, Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust and the ICB finally complete their 27 runs.
From starting in week1 with 8 minutes of running to Week9 they all completed 30 minutes running nonstop. At the beginning of the course, some were nervous about completing the runs but through the course they found their confidence levels grow. It’s never been about speed, it’s never about coming last, it’s about being part of a supportive group in which everyone helps each other.
At graduation everyone is presented with a medal and certificates but we have 3 individual awards, where the run leaders identify members who have progressed and overcome challenging barriers throughout the course. The run leaders had a lot of challenges as everyone could have been awarded these awards, however the two group awards went to Ros and Jenny and the inspiration award went to Leslie who has attended a course prior to this one. Leslie picked up an injury that some would never come back to running after recovering. Leslie took her time through rehabilitation and finally returned taking it easy at first, but really impressed us as she progressed. Her weight loss is impressive and her health check proved how hard she has worked to get more active. Well done to all of our winners.
We could only present one of our 10km awards to Helen due to sickness of Beth and Adele who all completed their first 10km nonstop run after many early morning Jeffing sessions. Many congratulations to all of you and our run leaders, Gary, Max and Leia who all completed their run leader’s training during this course.
Plans are on the way for 2023 and the new year course has been published and is open for registration. The Monday and Wednesday 5-10km runs are also available for those who want to go to the next stage in their running. To finish this year in style we are hosting the Christmas fun run with the support of Gloucester sports who have provided a lot of support to our activities, you can walk or run around the course and just be part of the festive celebrations and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2023.
To see what our members said about the programme click here