I just did 5k by mistake!

[Narmour]

Went out this morning to do week 7 run 3 but without Laura this time, the music is proving too much to bear! Anyway it's howling outside. Horizontal rain. So I got to 25 minutes and I was still a fair distance from home. Rather than walk back in the rain and wind I decided to carry on running. I got to the end of our road and I had done 5.2k in 32 minutes. So, what to do now? Do I try to do this another 2 times and graduate early or go back and diligently complete the programme? What would you do?

[runningmam Graduate]

I reckon if you're comfortably running 5k or 30 mins you are a graduate

[Narmour Graduate in reply to runningmam]

I wouldn't say it was exactly comfortable! Although the weather was a major contributor to that..

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I would say, HOORAYYYY!!!. If you've actually run for 30 minutes you have achieved the aim of the programme, but to graduate you should run 3x30 minutes. If you can do it another couple of times, then I would consider you to have graduated. Try W9R1 and if it is too much drop back. We all seem to have had good runs this morning and maybe next one will show up some lack of conditioning which can be made up by the further 25mins or W8 28mins runs.

I don't think anyone is going to object to you claiming your badge if you complete early. Good luck.

[Narmour Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks! Hooray is a very tame version of what I actually said. I think I will do two rest days and try again on tuesday, then if that is successful I will aim for my graduation run at the Parkrun next Saturday!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yep I would agree with Ian, 2 more times of 30 minutes and you are a graduate in my eyes. Love the title "I just did 5K by mistake"!!!!!!!!!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Oldgirl]

Just a polite correction, OG, before it spreads, the nom de web is Ianno.

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Oooopppppps sorry

[crox Graduate]

Do they have parkruns in your area? I think you should give it a go.

[Narmour Graduate in reply to crox]

Yep! I plan to do one this Saturday as week 9 run 3. And then it's shiny grey badge for me. Got the in laws visiting this weekend so it'll be a rare occasion that me and Mrs Narmour can leave the child with her grandparents for a morning and run together!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Same thing happened to me. I carried on with the program but ran a little further each time e.g. run some or all of the walk at the end. If you finish the program I would say there's less chance of going back to repeat it later