I graduated about 6 weeks ago which I am still amazed by because I have some weight to lose and I am 52 years old. Feeling pretty ok and run 5K X 3 times a week now which I feel is enough because I still have to think about my knees as they grumble from time to time. This distance is getting easier but by no means is it ever easy. I want to repeat this to Christmas.
Feel others want me to do more, move to 5K, run faster and try to get me to commit to a 10 k event in January etc. I love running but have found just doing my own thing gives me pleasure, I can run where and when I want and can have a slow run too if that is how I feel. Am I being a running rebel to say no thanks to the suggestions of others?
Written by
JoolieB1
Graduate
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Hi joolie - I'm in totally the same boat - still trying to run 3 x 5k every week and mostly enjoying it I've moved to a bigger office and some colleagues are trying to get me to join them at lunchtime for a run - I've politely said 'no thanks. I like my exercising humiliation to be done on my own terms lol'. I enjoy running on my own with my own thoughts and music for company - there's no way I'd be in a position to chat while running lol! I've decided to do as much as I can through the winter then maybe try to add distance to 10k in the spring when it's lighter in the mornings.
You should do what you want to do and don't feel pressurised by others. Take care xx
Thank you, I have tried a couple of clubs, didn't really get it though, my motivation is getting out and about by myself largely, I love my own company. If I discover a like minded running buddy, someone who is chilled and loves running, I would go for an occasional run with them. I like parkrun but don't stick with anyone in particular, usually like to look for the first timer or someone struggling and encourage them for a while. Good for u enjoying ur running and not needing external motivation
I have met some like minded solo runners at parkrun who I love to chat to and I totally respect the fast and long distance, constantly beating their personal best runners. Their motivation is amazing but not for me, guess we are all very different
I think you are very wise to want to progress slowly. Slowly developing your running is the safest way. Chasing times and speed in as quick a time frame as possible is the way to the injury bench. As new runners our legs have to strengthen over time, and more time we spend building them the better. Any work you can do to help strengthen your body - to better support your running - is a good idea, so walking, swimming, cycling, zumba, exercise at home or the gym for upper body and core etc all helps
Going for a leisurely jog is a joy and I don't think there's anything wrong with doing it for its own sake. It will keep you fit, help keep your bones strong and your weight down.
I know, I went down to the riverbank a couple of days ago and discovered very wet slippery mud, splashed all over my shoes, got stung by nettles and nearly slipped on my bottom. Still makes me chuckle now thinking about it. I get satisfaction from running 5K and discovering new places - love parkrun as it is fantastically encouraging to see people enjoying (or enduring) running for different reasons 😍
Hi Julie, well I run twice a week, (usually park run and one longer run) running 3 times a week was too much for me and I kept getting overuse injuries, took me ages to actually get to 5k. Anyway, once I 'allowed' myself to do my own thing I haven't looked back. I did my first 10k earlier this year, about 4 months after I hit the 5k without stopping, but very much on my own terms. My time was 1hr 20 mins. Right at the back in the last 20 or so. (I'm not much quicker now) I have found that the very experienced runners will never say to you 'you should be doing this...or that.....' You must enjoy it, yes, we all fall out of love with it occasionally, but you don't want to end up hating it.
It's nice to have a personal goal, but it's your personal goal, no one else's
through this activity and park run I now know 6 minute milers, marathon runners, gazelles and racing snakes, I also know plodders. Ok sometimes I do feel a bit useless, old and slow, but that's similar to the feeling of being a bad mother if you go out to work to support your family, that you're not doing the right thing, but it's missing the point.
Ask yourself what is it you want to do? Take from it what you want. Be confident and proud of what you have acheived, there are many that can't do what you do already (me included)
I have no desire to do any more than 10k really, it fits in my routine, gives me the fitness and healthiness I want, plus I get to have some fun at 'races' and park run. 10k is a nice distance to do, it's certainly achievable after 5k, but you must be the one deciding to do it. Im adding in a bit of cross training now, low impact stuff, just to see if that will help improve my times a little, but I'm not overly bothered, I do know that if I do too much high impact I will pick up an injury. It's more about about being fit and healthy for me.
Also if and when you do enter an event, I won't call it a 'race', you'll be surprised at the amount of first timers, and plodders there are, all nervous/excited in equal measure, and I can guarantee you'll have a great time.
Thank you so much. I feel my legs just about manage 3 X 5K (1 of these is my local parkrun) and I am not too bothered about time, just seeing how I feel each time and on a good day,mint is getting a little quicker. 10k is definitely a long term goal for me but I want my legs to feel stronger and for less stiffness in the knee before I move on. Just at the level I am at right now,mi would be happy to continue with no increased speed or distance - and the amount of fun and enjoyment is increasing each week, so I feel I am doing what is right for me - I like being a loner as a runner but more than happy to run with a like minded running buddy if that happens
I graduated in February and I've only ran 10k a handful of times. Plus, I am a good few years younger than you. I had a dodgy knee before I started and I have spent my time doing the knee strengthening exercises and building some core strength. Fingers crossed, this has kept me running and I've had no problems at all. I am going to slowly build a bit more distance over the winter but if it bothers my knee I will just stop on the assumption that 10k is my upper threshold. Hubby, on the other hand, goes at everything like a bat out of hell and has been injured 3 times in the same period.
My Mum turned 60 and graduated in May. She wouldn't mind me saying she is also carrying a bit more weight than she should. She has really stuck at her running though. In the weeks that she's felt achy she's only ran twice instead of three times. She has also gradually worked up to being able to do 5k. She is doing totally great. Will she ever get to 10k? Maybe, if she wants to. Does it matter if she doesn't? Absolutely not! I am so proud that she is now a runner and I know she really enjoys it. If we don't love what we do, we'll eventually stop doing it, so what was the point in that?
Again I am reminded about the importance of stretching, something I have been avoiding but I must do this so I can build my strength and enjoy my running with more comfort, thank u 😄
The one thing on here is its always about your accomplishments as we all know getting to 5km is a great achievement and staying there is a great thing to do. Never feel pressurised by anyone else, like the program, you get to 30 min running (as some feel pressurised to go to 5km and want to stick at 30 min) and what you do with it is down to you and only you. It's your personal journey. remember the most important thing is to enjoy your new found sport and whatever journey that takes you on is the correct one.
No - definitely not. Running is such an individual thing and we are all different. The main thing is that it should be enjoyable and nothing kills that off faster than being pressured to do something you don't want.
Stand firm! What you have achieved already is amazing!
I think you should definitely go at your own pace and do your own thing! Otherwise you'll stop enjoying it and be in danger of injury. I do my own thing too, let's be rebels together, lol!
"Everyone else" can do whatever they want - but what you choose to do or not is none of their business. Just curious, but is "everyone else" a runner? The only people who have asked me when I'm going to do a half-marathon are the ones whose idea of sport is going to get another beer from the fridge.
I find within running clubs, there is a lot of motivation to go further and faster, I gues that is y people join an organised group, to improve. The suggestion I enter a 10k in January also came from another runner, it was with good intention but for me to do that would be foolhardy and would result in injury. I think my legs are managing 5K and I am enjoying doing that distance more and more
Hey there you rebel! Just do what you want - nothing at all wrong with 5k 3 times a week - it's the best!
It took me nearly a year before considering 10k. That's the furthest I've run and likely to be the furthest I will. And I am perfectly happy with that.
You're enjoying running 🏃 so you must do whatever you want to. Please don't feel pressured into doing something you don't want to. The joy of running = you can open your door and just do it 😀 xx
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I've moved to a bigger office and some colleagues are trying to get me to join them at lunchtime for a run - I've politely said 'no thanks. I like my exercising humiliation to be done on my own terms lol'. I enjoy running on my own with my own thoughts and music for company - there's no way I'd be in a position to chat while running lol! I've decided to do as much as I can through the winter then maybe try to add distance to 10k in the spring when it's lighter in the mornings. 
Too fat to run?
5 to 10k
What a 10k mistake to make
Blimey 10k!
