Today was my first run in just over a week (coz my graduation run (take 1) last Sunday was such a huge disaster - I had to WALK 3 times.. UGH!) plus I've had a niggly foot, crunchy knees and been a bit run-down with ulcers+sore throat, so I decided to take it easy and not stress about running last week.
I went out this morning in my new kit, with my new shoes on.. I ditched Laura and listened to my own music for the first time, which was a real novelty, and I had runkeeper on in the background. I made a conscious effort to take it reaaaaaaally slowly and just enjoy it and relax. Which I did. The sun was just coming up making gorgeous colours over the river, there was no one around.. just me and my doggy. And it felt good, and I could breathe, and my foot didn't hurt, and my knees didn't hurt...
So I managed 4.14 km in 32 minutes, and I'm pretty pleased with that. I feel I'm back on track with the running now, coz after last Sunday (plus a couple of hard runs before that) I was getting pretty demoralised. And I know now what the secret is... it's TAKE IT SLOW!!! At the end of today I even had the energy left to 'sprint' to the finishing post (telegraph pole)!
It's taken me quite a long time to finish this programme (but then I've been through 'quite a lot' since I started back in May) but the progress I've made doing this - we've all made - is just phenomenal!
Thank you, Laura... and thank you to everyone on here for being so supportive, and funny and friendly, and providing such a brilliant place to come for inspiration and motivation
Written by
petraj
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi! Thank you, Marky.. I think for the next few weeks I might just run with my music (or, with silence and birdsong?) consolidate the 30 minute running, and aim to break the 5k barrier! Also I want to run some different routes, coz I stuck to the same one for the programme. Maybe add some hills here and there. After that I might try the Speed+Stamina podcasts, and then build up some distance.
Thank you Burgdude! I'm looking forward to trying some new routes around the lanes here, and maybe I'll throw in some hills here and there. I think for the moment I'm just looking forward to running for myself and enjoying it. Then I might have a go at the Speed+Stamina etc podcasts, then build up some more distance? Oh, and I really want to crack the 5k barrier, but I don't think that should be too difficult.. I could have carried on today, really, I wasn't knackered at all! So perhaps that's my aim for this week.
thank you! yes, I did ask for my graduate badge earlier today.. perhaps it's like christmas and you have to wait until the next morning to unwrap it from under the tree???
Great news Petra, its onwards and upwards now, get that badge now and start planning your next goal or you will lose momentum, even a local park run would be a good place to start. Excellent time by the way so your pace is not that slow at all!
thanks Nelly.. yep, I'm waiting for my badge! I think I'd like to try some new routes round the lanes here, and achieve my 5k.. then try some of those other speed+stamina podcasts.. then go for some more distance. I don't think they do the park runs here in France like in the UK (not so many parks, for a start!!) and I had a quick google for races round here and the next thing is a 5k or 10k race in February about an hour away from here! Suppose I should sign up for the 10k
it is a great feeling! and I feel that I can just run for myself for a bit now.. take in the countryside, listen to some music and just enjoy it.. thanks Slookie (although it was a 'sprint'.. not a sprint, but hey!)
How fab that you finished it! Congratulations! And a great distance too! I like to run without Laura sometimes too, although I am revisiting the podcasts from time to time. Now you can just please yourself! Enjoy your running!.
Thank you.. yeah, I've definitely got this vision in my head of me+the dog having lovely runs round the lanes while the boys are at school as the autumn weather comes on.. just enjoying it and chillaxing!!
ps.. thanks so much for the link to the swimming website.. great tips and info!
Thank you so much, Net.. yep, this programme is absolutely miraculous getting me to run for 30 minutes non-stop - and enjoying it.. and looking forward to the next time! Happy running to you too
Many congratulations, you really picked yourself up from last week and now you're a graduate ! Slow and steady, enjoy your running...now you know you can do it.
aww.. thanks Runon! I'm sure I'll still be able to sit on a couch once in a while again though... won't I? In any case, I'm very good at lying on couches and falling asleep on them in front of the telly when there's a good film on, so I shall just have to do more of that instead
According to EU regulation 543b2ii - 'qualified graduates in receipt of badges may not sit on couches in excess of 45 seconds continuously' . You may have found a loophole in the 'lying down' bit but it is not in the spirit of C25K to return to being a 'pomme de terre au canapé!' Congrats again - what will you do now?
Well done you 👏👏👏 You should be very proud of yourself. I am 4 runs off graduating and I can't wait!! Never thought I'd be a runner and here I am, in my middle 50's, running!! Who'd have thought? 😂😂
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
W9r3: I did it! I did it! I did it! I did it! I did it! AND I did 5k!!!!!
I made it!!
W9R3 - I Did It, I Graduated!!
Woop Woop! Graduated W9R3!
