I graduated in June and have been running regular 5K's since. Still getting a tremendous buzz from how good running is doing for my body and health, but I seem to have hit a bit of a wall.
My graduation run was 5K in 27'28sec which I was SO HAPPY WITH! Since then, I've come nowhere close to that and I'm wondering why that is. I've stopped listening to music whilst running as I found it got on my nerves. I've stopped Endomondo telling me how fast each lap time is, as that was putting me under pressure to compete with myself. I still use it to measure distance and lap times but with the sound turned off!
Since my PB I have adjusted my running effort to a more manageable speed because I was getting worn out too quickly and getting despondent. What I do now is just run much slower and that way I can enjoy the run AND not have to stop for a "walk rest" which is what started to happen to me post graduation. The results on my timings now are between 32 and 33 mins for 5K, which I find comfortable with minimum effort.
I have to keep telling myself "I am not competing. I am not an athlete. I just want to keep fit and trim. AND enjoy it." Using this mantra has helped me enormously for getting back the "KAPOWWW" feeling of doing the C25K program.
I don't think I can ever see myself running further than 5K. The thought of doubling what I do three mornings each week makes me almost faint with the thought of it. That's fine though. I am hoping that speed will eventually get naturally faster and who knows, perhaps my distance will increase with time.
Thanks for reading
Dan
Written by
danzargo
Graduate
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I've only just started posting but I've been reading your blog posts for a while now and really enjoy them
You sound similar to me (in fact, my post earlier is titled 'hit a hump') - I was very close to 5k in week 8 and hit it easily in the first run or 2 of Week 9 but seem to be getting slower since then. Only marginally, but even runs that I'm happier with seem to be slightly short on distance, according to Runkeeper.
I'm supposed to be signing up for a 10k at the end of September, but the thought of running for another half hour at the end of my last couple of runs seems impossible. Running friends tell me that I've got a couple of months to get there, but even so...!
No words of wisdom, I'm afraid - I like the fact that you can rationalise your running to be non-competitive and simply good for keeping you fit...I need to find some of your chillness!
Well knock me down and cover me in yoghurt - that's INCREDIBLE! I sort of remember admitting I'd never get past 5K....and you've found the post! Well isn't it testament to this program really? The fact that if you stick at it, you can do anything!
Sunday was really easy, amazingly. I didn't go too mad and enjoyed the co run with Juicyju.
Thanks for this though Sue. And if I hadn't signed up for a 10K on MArch 21st I\d have been tempted to Weymouth!
thats ok Dan it nice to see people where I want to be in a few months time. Did you sign up for London a year in advance? Im looking at singing up today, "nervous twitch"
I've already signed up! Did it as soon as I got home Sunday. Go on Sue! Sign up. You've LOOOOOADS of time to prepare and all us C25K'ers will have another blast!
Very interesting.... I can really understand this bit... Think this is where I'm at now... although you are probably half my age.. there is still hope
"I have adjusted my running effort to a more manageable speed because I was getting worn out too quickly and getting despondent. What I do now is just run much slower and that way I can enjoy the run AND not have to stop for a "walk rest" which is what started to happen to me post graduation. "
Im the same, seem to have to walk/rest all the time after graduation now. And my speed seems to be getting slower, but i think its because i'm struggling with the cold weather. Well thats my excuse
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Love it 
What sort of runner do I want to be
Parkrun getting slower!
I've been naughty.....but I enjoyed it ;) 
It's True - A Bad Run is Followed by a Good One!
