Seriously, this is a request for your time..or at least part of it.
When our runners Graduate on C25K, it is becoming increasingly noticeable that the period between Graduation and moving forward is a bit of a maze....
There is so much information on the pinned posts and links that we have all, over time put together, (with huge thanks to our wonderful, wonderful, IannodaTruffe ), but folk are still getting a bit lost, in that transitional time zone.
Starting things and not finding them useful, then feeling as if they are doing things wrong etc, etc.
We do offer suggestions and we do point them, where ever we can, to the most excellent, What Next? post.
We have put, also, a Quest, on C25K, the same format as the one here on Bridge... and it is gradually becoming used more... but... ( there's always a but), I had a few ideas.
I wondered, and I know you are all busy folk, with busy lives, if occasionally you might pop over to Couch and post. I also know, that quite a few folk do that already and have done for a while. Thank you
Just a post about your Couch journey, maybe immediately after Graduation.. about where and what you are up to now... experiences with trying things and them not working, finding your own way of running etc... even experiences re-injury...Posts that will let our new graduates see what is out there, maybe give them ideas for their goals.. a reassurance that it goes on, and the amazing opportunities out there, but it does not have to be done quickly?
I am putting this badly and rambling as usual...!
We have so, so many new members joining every week, that posts just disappear as quickly as they appear, but I am not asking for regular posts from you Graduates here, ... just hoping there will be some It is so hard to respond and reply to all the queries, concerns and uncertainty our new Graduates are feeling.
I am asking particularly, but not exclusively, that some of the more long standing Graduates might do this... showing the progression from Couch to here. and beyond.....( I may be putting a similar post out at some point for relatively new Graduates on here to share their experiences, but, as very new Graduates, have not yet had time to get into things)
I know that I found a huge amount of support and encouragement from reading the posts of the Graduates who have been and still are stalwarts of these fabulous forums...I still do take heart from what I read on a daily basis. They, (you ) continue to inspire and motivate me.
Okay..if you understood any of that.. you have done well...
Hoping some of you will find a few moments, to make an Oldfloss very happy
Flossx
PS
Motivational photos would be great too..
PPS
I clearly have an aptitude for Double Dutch!
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Oldfloss
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Hi Floss, absolutely brilliant idea... and I totally understood all of it!😀
Yes, of course I will, and I'm sure you will get a huge response from other Graduates who will also be happy to post on the c25k site to help out, especially over that new finding your way after graduation time, we all remember struggling with...
You do such a brilliant job, mentoring plus all your admin duties, giving so much of your time, it will be great to know we are helping too.
Thanks my friend, I think anything we can do to quell the, our own. nerves... will be great.. folk sometime think they have to move on quickly and it will help to know how we all felt.. I intend posting there more too!
I’d be more than happy to OF! 👍 I often pop over for a read anyway, and occasionally comment, but I’ll make a point of doing so more often. I need no excuse to share my experiences! 😅
it's all clear to me and yes sounds like a good idea as I've noticed quite a few what next posts recently that I try and respond too. I was all messed up after graduation trying a couple of things and expecting too much from myself and getting really So yes, I'll try and post on C25K from time to time x
I am already "following " the C25K, B210K, Strength and Flex, Half marathon and Marathon communities here on Healthunlocked. I am interested in all of them, I mostly contribute by congratulating graduates of C25K, occasionally Bridge 210K and guide them to where they can get their graduation badge and the word GRADUATE/10 next to their username.
Today I completed the Stepping stones podcasts with Laura with running the Stamina podcast, 158 to 165 beats a minute for 35 minutes, it worked out at around 4.5k distance.
Yesterday I found an app that which tells you exactly how many steps/beats a minute you run at, its called "metrome beats" its from 1 to 300 beats per minute so 150 to your favourite pace of 165 steps a minute is well within its range for us runners, I will try it out next time I'm out a run. 🏃
Great idea Oldfloss! I do still pop onto Couch to 5k as I love sharing the buzz of those early steps on the running journey. I know how big a moment completing C25k felt for me and love to share the same highs with the lovely folk on here!
Our journey, post C25k graduation, is a very individual one isn't it? There are so many things to explore - distance, pace, trail, road, events, Parkrun, fitness and injury😩; running with a goal and of course, the most important - running just for the love🏃🏽♀️❤️.
I would be happy to duplicate appropriate posts from Race Support/Bridge to 10k on to Couch to 5k - so others can see just how hard it is to give up this running thing once you're hooked!! 🙂x
You do...I watch for your posts Duplicating posts will be fine...it will help runners see how many of us started this thinking, only 5K, that will be it!!!
Anything for you, dear Floss. Plus I love waffling on about myself and running. I think people in my "real" life are rather sick of me going on about it, so let's put that to good use on the C25K forum...LOL!
Interestingly Floss, I have purposely not posted much on the C25K for years because I felt I should let the folks on the programme lots of space for their questions, etc. Although I know that when I had first graduated I found the posts of more experienced graduates so motivating and loved reading them. These posts have tailed off considerably in recent years probably due to the existence of the other forums and the sheer numbers of members now.
As you know I can post a fair few sagas 🙄 about my running adventures and I'm more than happy to do that on the C25K forum. Sharing the joy is always a pleasure 🙂
You admins do such a fantastic job you each deserve a special medal in the HU Hall of Fame 🏅🏅xxx
Your tales and adventures and your determination are what we need...I know you are a tad tied up with the Trump visit...but when you have time...please, please do share!
Made complete sense to me! I'm a relatively new graduate as you know but hopefully I'll have some nice stories to post over the next couple of weeks as I'm off work and planning some nice runs.
You have a lot to share... and your journey ill be an insight into those new graduates... Thank you x
I'm happy to help out, but I must say as a new graduate, I found this 10k community very welcoming and I already know most of the people here from the C25K forum.. giving out advice and encouragement.
I think the main problem after C25K is that you have to make your own decision, it takes a little time to decide what you actually want to do next. I always advise people to try Parkrun because there are often people there who are very supportive and know what's happening in their area. Lots of running clubs go to my parkrun as well.
You are so right and it is the.. having, "to make your own decision, it takes a little time to decide what you actually want to do next".. folk here are great, and on the other forums too... it is the lost zone that can be confusing
I pop over there frequently. I got a lot of encouragement in my early days from those honest posts that let me know I was not alone in feeling very challenged sometimes.
The nice thing about these forums is the lack of one-upmanship and "humblebragging" - this makes it such a welcoming and comfortable place to be I hope to do my part in maintaining that spirit of sporting generosity
Of course OldFloss, if it can help then definitely. I’m never sure whether I should still be posting on the C25k forum any more so you’ve made it very clear (in your very eloquent way, despite what you think!) that it’s ok to post there. As clubberlang mentions, Parkrun is a brilliant way to start the journey onwards and if we can ease anyone’s way into that... ooh, actually...I feel a post coming on already...😁
Btw, isn’t Double Dutch skipping rather than running 😉?
I think the massive number increase is due to BBC Get Inspired feature, every time there is a large event run on the TV they promote C25K, I notice it was even promoted during one of the Diamond League Athletic meetings.
Maybe.. but it is a great, great pity, for us here, that the ads etc, etc are not followed up from the powers that be, at HE... with easily accessed and freely given support. Health Unlocked has to fight every step of the way, and we here, are blessed in the leadership of our Team. The phrase, "...money and mouth does spring to mind".
This sounds a great idea, Floss. As a newish graduate I have profited enormously from the perspective revealed in posts by more experienced runners.
I’ve been a lurker on here since just before graduation, but the posts that go on C25k have a special value. Not everyone moves over here, even to lurk. 😊 And the variety of experience seems to me really important for new runners to take in as they find their way. Thank you all!
I’ve personally loved the words from folks recovering from injury. Very cheering to know one does recover! Again, thank you all for taking that extra time to post on a forum that benefits those coming behind. 👏🏼🎉👏🏼
Since graduating myself I do love to keep an eye out on C25k for new graduates so I can say well done as I know how much that meant to me. As a bit of a f***ure in getting anywhere since my own graduation I do not feel confident I can offer much advice post graduation though!
I try to encourage Week 1 runners when I can, never quite sure what to say to graduates, apart from 'well done'.
I think I am still lost in the 'after C25K' myself, despite running 10k occasionally, and 5k parkruns quite a lot.
The difficulty is there are so many ways to go: Faster, Longer, Lose more weight, develop towards Marathons, or just put off the heart attack for another week... The only option that isn't on the table is a return to the couch (unless forced by injury or illness, of course).
IannodaTruffe 's excellent notes on 'what to do next', while excellent and comprehensive, seemed to me to leave ME with more questions than it answered - I also fell into the warned-about injury trap.
More thinking/running required, I suspect. I'll get back to you.
Absolutely agree with you, having got to the magical 10k I haven’t a clue what to aim for next, half marathon is not really possible as my two dogs still expect to go out in the afternoon, I run in the late morning, and I find a walk for 1hour plus after running in the morning for 1:15 hard. Not sure speed is the way to go either as I can’t increase the chance of injury, as no one else to walk the boys if I can’t. But I need something to work towards or I may give up☹️ Perhaps I may find that as my stamina increases then it may be possible to run for longer and still fit in an afternoon walk even at my advanced age. So what I am trying to say is as a relative new graduate, 6 months from starting to run, I would find some feedback from similar aged runners if they have found this is possible.
Will do. I do still keep a foot in both camps and reply to C25k posts from time to time. You know what will happen now, scores of posts from the bridge.
I have noticed the incredible numbers on c25k forum. You can post on there in the morning and it’s completely disappeared by the afternoon as so many posts have followed. A victim of your own success I think. I have noticed that graduates are in more of a hurry to go faster and further and seem reluctant to consolidate, which is so important.
Hi Oldfloss , this is a really good idea, not that im surprised because you are a wise one who we all love to hear from....but, as you know i have been strugglin just lately but keeping going even when I'm not feeling the love...just because i know, deep down, that i want to, because running has been so good to me since i started 2 years ago
..and so has this forum, i have taken so much from everyone on here. I might not always comment and just lately have deserted HU because most of my runs havent really been worth writing about...and i dont want to be a bore and make eyes roll in a 'here we go again' style!!! But i have been lurking, still looking for the inspiration i need at the moment to remind me of the pleasure i get from a run and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. So this is an amazing idea and even though I'm not a new graduate of c25k, i am a new graduate of 10k so i do still need advice, guidance, motivational tips and the occasional reminder that i can do what i set out to do just not straight away, things take time...and also that, as Laura tells us, any run is better than no run...that i find difficult to accept.
I'm sure, if i stop lurking and get myself back on here, gosh i was never away at one time (!), i and everyone who needs it, will find everything we need and hopefully motivate someone to get out and remember the enjoyment that running brings.
Thank you Floss, this will make such a difference to everyone, I'm sure xx
You, my friend have had one heck of a journey and you continue to inspire and motivate me,
We all, I am sure of this, still need the help of our fellow runners...we are not automatons, we have lives, family, friends, and all that goes with it. We need each other.
When you are ready, and there is no rush at all, please do post your experiences...the message it will send, is one people should take to heart xx
Brilliant post as usual! I try and give support and advice when I can. It’s easy to feel that I am just as dazed and confused as I was on day one. My running is fine but I’m not doing anything very exciting! I will heed your words x
Great idea. I still post or comment on the c25k forum, never came off it so still get all the posts. Hope we can help! Step daughter had just started and decided it was fine to jump to week 5 as she already ran a bit on the treadmill. I told her off and told her to start at the beginning! She's running the London Marathon next year.
Of course, you are right. We should be sharing our experiences across all the boards and I will endeavour to do so. For me, I have much more time in the school hols to post so it might be a bit sporadic - like my running!
Thank you for tirelessly supporting the ever growing family of runners on the forum. 🙂 x
I think I've got a few bits to tell too. From cigarettes to marathon via injuries and forum support. At times it felt like sitcom. I'll come up with something!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to mrrun
Oh yes please..always entertaining.. but so honest and so helpful x
Message received and understood. I put something on Facebook some months ago marking six months since I started C25k which was a bit long but may be adaptable ... Ill look it up at a more civilised hour.
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So yes, I'll try and post on C25K from time to time x
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
