I completed c25k at the end of the year and actually feel like I’m kinda drifting and loitering between forums at the moment! The c25k forum was fantastic but now that I’m a graduate I don’t really feel like I should post in there other than to offer support obviously and I’ve not done anything to start 10k so don’t feel I belong here either!!
Anyway like I said, I’ve not made a start on the magic plan.... I’ve just tried to run 3 times per week. I’m doing 5k in around 40 mins so if I did start the 10k would I go by time or distance?
I think I’m missing the structure of the c25k and having something to aim for. I have my first 5k event in 4 weeks but honestly can’t say I’m comfortably running 5k every time I go out.
Not sure of the point in this post, just wanted to vent a bit I guess lol 😂
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CJMumma
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You make a very valid point CJM - I was the same as you after I graduated and wasn’t sure about being on B210k when I was barely managing 5k . And like you I can’t say I’m comfortably running 5k each time I go out but I am running 5ks at least once a week. But I was assured that I would be welcome on this forum and so it’s turned out! Just after Christmas I decided I was drifting - I didn’t really have a goal, other than trying to improve my Parkrun time and I had no structure to my outings so while I can’t say I was bored exactly, it wasn’t as much fun. So I took a breath and signed up for ju-ju’s magic plan to get me to 10k . Now bearing in mind how slow I joffle, and how knackering I find 5k, it could take me a very very long time to get to 10k! But that’s fine, I have a bit of structure again and a goal to keep me on the straight and narrow . Have a look at the magic plan - you can do either distance or time, it’s up to you. Not sure if this will be of any use to you at all - but at least you know you’re not alone! And as far as I’m concerned you’re very welcome here!! Happy running!
Why not try the magic plan and do the timed version then once you reach 60 minutes you can then go on to the distance . It will be good to see posts from you here and good luck with your 5k event🤗🤗🤗
Your runs are fine, if you do start the Ju Ju's Magic 10 be like me and go by time, first run is 15 minutes, second run is 30 minutes and the third run of week 1 is 35 minutes, I notice looking at the plan that the second run every week is 30 minutes, the first run for the first three weeks is 15 minutes and thereafter is 20 minutes, the third run of each week increases by around 5 minutes every 2 weeks, if you do start the plan, good luck, although I am a Graduate10 I have not ran a 10K since November 2019, that was the 4th I ran, all four were around 69/73 minutes,
Why not try the time version of the Magic Plan? That’s what I used to get a bit of impetus without putting myself under too much pressure. There’s a useful chart you can print out and tick off the runs, and each week is linked to trying out a strength & flex exercise. I found it a good way to “test the waters.” Somehow I found the idea of just extending time much less daunting than either speed or distance challenges. I’m a true tortoise, so no speed for me! And Life & the Universe mean I need to plan my running times closely, so voila!
When I did decide to move on to 10k, I picked up the distance plan from what by then was my comfort distance and slotted in there.
Good luck with your quest. I’m sure you’ll get lots of good suggestions and one of them will suddenly feel right to you! 😊👍
It happens, I feel a bit the same as well. A bit like I'm an imposter in the 10k group
I consolidated for a while but I've now joined the Magic 10 but I'm doing the time based version not the distance version which is fine and not a problem.
As for structure I've mixed it up quite a bit and currently run a longer 35 minutes on a Saturday which will increase a bit every week but what really helps me personally is the Nike Run Club App. It's totally free and configurable to how you want to run but also includes a big selection of coached runs which I find really helpful. They vary in length from very short to long run training and there is also a tailored coaching plan that assesses your own runs as they build up and suggests how to improve if you want to. It's great, works fine with my Garmin and iPhone and like I said is totally free.
Thanks for all ur lovely comments guys, really appreciate it! I did a short run today as my route was flooded as impassable (2.5k in under 19 mins) so maybe I’ll just use that as my 1st run of the 10k plan. Think I’ll stick to time though. Longest I’ve ran is 46 mins (on a treadmill to hit my 1st 5k) so 60 mins seems achievable especially outside where it’s more scenic!! Have been considering NRC but I use strava. Wonder if they’d run side by side 🤔
Hello. Join my club. 90% of my running throughout the year is 5K. I love 5K. I’m just in from a 5K training run in heavy wind, sleet and snow. And I wore shorts. I sometimes run 7K and sometimes train up to 10K for a 10K race. But in general I do 5K. I’m a huge parkrun fan. I’m almost running for 3 years since doing C25K. The reason why I run is parkrun. I love attending my home parkrun or travelling to different parkruns.
I hang out here. This is a lovely friendly forum. Loads of us here run 5K and get very excited when any of our friends here reach milestones. I live in Navan, which is 30 minutes north of Dublin. Last October I traveled over to Bristol and did a parkrun there with my 10 year old son and we met up with a group of lovely forum friends from here.
So don’t feel like you have to be doing 10K to hang out here. Everyone is welcome.
Glad to hear from you! Was thinking about you as I hadn’t seen any posts from you. I’m still in the consolidation phase, didn’t feel ready to do 10k bridge and for now, I’m trying to get out three times a week to do 5k. I have been posting away on the forum anyway. Makes me accountable for getting out and running! Also, another idea - I just joined the February Flounce today with a pledge - check that out. Also, Ju-ju has started a plank challenge, I’ve joined the 30 sec one and there’s a 3 minute one. Check that out for another challenge alongside your running?
Aw thanks for remembering me! Yeah I have just been out sometimes running 5k, sometimes not! No particular rhyme or reason and I think that’s the problem. I need a structure. Will consider doing something else, think I did ask to join the planking one but cos I’ve not been on much I’m not sure haha 😂
You need the ju-ju 10k plan, maybe mix it up a bit to fit your life etc, but just run..... If you keep that cardio fitness then that's a bonus, and hey even just running 5ks that's a fantastic achievement.
Not sure that I have anything sensible to add!! I found that I had to really slow down to add distance, but it was easier to do that than to speed up my 5ks; the 5k speed up came much later. So juju's plan at snail's pace was my starting point; I was so chuffed when I ran my first 10k. Doing it that way I found 5 to 10k easier than couch to 5. So just have fun; no need to put yourself under pressure....plodding along, adding a bit of distance to one long run per week is wonderful😊.
Hi there, well done for keeping going, I've managed 2-3 runs a week as able between shifts and sickness, me or kids. I struggled a bit on the last run hoping just because I was tired and running in wind, I had to walk twice only for about a min a time but really knocked my confidence as didn't do the whole lot non stop. I actually find that repeating week 9s runs has helped me as when I went solo I found I clock watched. Not ran whole 5k just yet but achieving with my warm up and down walks. Keep doing what your doing, as for posting do whatever feels most comfortable ❤🏃♀️👌
Ah hey, I have been wondering how u were getting on! There have been a couple of runs where I’ve had to walk too. It does knock ur confidence but I’ve just put it down to a bad day which everyone gets! So pleased ur keeping it up though cos I gather ur a super busy lady 😘 x
There is nothing wrong with taking a break. Nothing at all. Sometimes I run 5K at a faster pace than normal. I’m not able to maintain that pace for a full 5K, so I run at a fast pace, take a break, recover and go again. Over time your body gets used to the faster pace and I find I can maintain that pace at a parkrun. Never be ashamed to take a walking break.
Hi CJMumma , as everyone has already said, you are most definitely welcome on this forum. 😀 I think the majority of us felt lost after C25K and missed the structure. I know I did! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Yep, give the timed Magic Plan a go. Then maybe you could do it again and aim for distance at a later date. As in C25K, post on here and tell us how your runs have gone, and have a good old read about other people’s exploits. You’ll find it equally as friendly! ❤️ Like damienair , I’ve made loads of friends on B210K, and some even turned from virtual to real running buddies (including Damien and his son!). 😀
I graduated 2nd time round about 7months ago. I’ve not run further than 5k since then. Recently l read a post by ButtercupKid that kind of gave me the impedance to challenge myself( l needed a goal). I’m trying to run 5k in 30 minutes rather than just run 5k. I’m content at this distance but maybe in the future I’ll try ju ju’s magic plan. Have fun on whatever you decide. Happy running👍
Hi CJ , it's good to see you . I definitely need structure and virtual accountability so I loiter on here . There is no time limit for anything we choose to do and the wise people say there is nothing wrong with a bit of Jeffing !
Very common issue. Continue on the bridge forum as you’ll get tip / ideas / inspiration and although you might not have stepped off the approach and onto the bridge just yet you’re absolute on a one way street! 😆
I get the feeling a few of us felt the same way after graduation.
I started the magic plan, but I'm going to miss a week through illness and then I'm away next week, so I think I'll start again from the beginning in a couple of weeks time.
Give it a go. Get some structure back in your running and just go for the 60 minute target.
I had the same feeling after doing a month of consolidation. I signed up for a 5k run and did that, that helped me to keep a focus and a purpose to keeping on running. When I had done that I wanted to go further, and so joined in the magic plan. I think if I hadn't done that then I would have kept on signing up for 5k runs for charity. I am not keen on the idea of park runs (the one local to me is 2 laps of the park and, as lovely as that is for some, I just can't get parklife out of my head! I like running on my own, but need a purpose or aim for it, otherwise I will drift.)
But you need to do you, so what is it that gives you drive? What are your aims? And what do you need to have/do to keep it fun and inspirational to you? Once you have answered those questions then you will have a clear direction and purpose for yourself.
Don't know if I went a bit too deep there, but hope it helps!
I’ve not done a parkrun yet although I’ve done the route and ours is 3 loops of the park so I find it boring! Saying that, maybe I’d enjoy the buzz 🤷🏻♀️
I have a 5k in early March and in all honesty hadn’t really thought past that! Not entirely sure what my running aims are... I know I want to get better and that’s about it! Haha 😂
What a great thread - I'm another one who since completing C25K has floundered without that structure, leading to lots of minor injuries.
I love the idea of for eg the Nike Run Club, or Ju Ju's Magic 10 but is it possible to follow these plans whilst also doing a weekly parkrun?. parkrun is the one bit of structure that I have to my running routine and I really love it.
Fingers crossed the answer will be 'yes'. Happy (injury-free) running everyone.
Thanks, I didn’t expect such a huge response when I posted this but glad it’s helped others and it’s great to feel included again! I don’t see why u can’t use PR as part of the 10k plan as every week run 2 is 5k or 30mins so should work in nicely for u ☺️
Thanks for posting this CJMumma . I'm in a similar position; i feel too far past C25k forum (graduated in September 2019) but feeling a little intimidated when I read some people running for miles or running like rocket fuel compared to my plodability. But my good friend Jazzyrunner has encouraged me onto Juju's plan and I did my first 15 min run on Wednesday. Felt like hell, but it turned out to be a fast 1k for me (10.02). So its forward momentum from here CJMumma!
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Struggling a bit!
Bit of a ramble but hopefully it makes sense ...
Missing: one mojo - last seen just over a week ago 
What a week...
Somewhere between the kids table and the grown ups 
