Done it!!!!!!........but,

[meadsey]

Just completed run 3 of week nine, which I am obviously very pleased about considering how far I have come etc etc.

But...........I can't say have enjoyed any of the 30 min runs. I'm just too exhausted.

Don't know what to do next. Keep trying the 30 mins or drop back to doing 3 say 20 min runs a week.

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Anything's better than nothing. Winter doesn't help. Don't give up!

[Godders Graduate]

Yes - keep going - perhaps repeat some of the earlier "recovery" sessions from weeks 6 or 7? Or as I found today a brisk 3K can really blow the cobwebs away as well. I think any run is a good run!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Happy graduation Meadsey! And what a great way to enter the new year!!!

After I graduated I kept one run at 30-35 minutes. The others I dropped to 20 minutes (about a 3 k loop for me). I really like the short ones - sometimes I play with fartleks or going faster, others I just enjoy a casual run. It actually improved my speed on the long runs. Or you could consider doing walk-run intervals again. It's really up to you where you want to take it. Now you get to choose your own path - whatever makes you feel good.

[meadsey Graduate]

Thanks mate. Yes I think 2 short and 1 long might be the way to go. As you said, I quite enjoy the shorter runs. If I knew what a fartlek was, I would probably try that as well. (Although it sounds a bit rude - if not illegal!)

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to meadsey]

Not illegal, or I might be in serious trouble.

The best way I can describe fartleking is running like when you were 7 years old again. It's just speeding up little bits and slowing down little bits of your run. Like running faster to the next lightpost, tree, dog, etc. and then slowing back to regular pace. Sometimes I even have to drop to walking if I've pushed too hard.

For some reason I find it ridiculously fun.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Congratulations on finishing the programme meadsey. Don't forget to get your badge.

Perhaps you're running too fast in which case you will be knackered. Next time you go out, slow right down and then slow down again. It really does make a difference to how you feel.

[poppypug Graduate]

Congratulations Meadsey on your graduation ! Well earned

Put your feet up for the rest of the night and don't forget to request your badge ! xxx

[Melly2 Graduate]

Congratulations Just keep going and you will be surprised how much further you can go after the programme, before you know it, the 30 mins will be breeze and you will just want to keep going for longer, but just listen to what your body tells you. If you need shorter runs or rest then let it be, i always found it surprising how a shorter run or an extra rest day actually improves your performance when you decide to run longer

[Hidden]

well done meadsey the frosty/icy conditions cant have made it easy ... stick with it consolidate and then decide what you want to do

[meadsey Graduate]

Thanks all.

[Barbarajs Graduate]

A huge well done Meadsey. I'd do shorter runs and if you have time do more of them. Anything is better than sitting on the sofa. Then when you start to enjoy the shorter runs, slowly work up to a minute or two longer. Just my two penneth of what it's worth.

Fabulous achievement.

[meadsey Graduate]

Thanks babs.

[JohnBlake Graduate]

Hey, everyone! Look, he's a Graduate!!!! Well done Meadsey, it isn't easy. But so worth while!