Week 9 Run 2

[Laureth]

I've just completed W9R2 and I am thinking about doing a park run for my graduation run. I am only covering 3.6k in 30 mins at the moment and I'm worried I won't manage 5k.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[yatesco Graduate]

Hey Laureth - you are doing great! I was in a very similar situation - less than 4km in 30 minutes when I graduated.

Both runs (third tomorrow) I decided to go to 5K to see what it felt like and it was great! Both runs were about 40 minutes and were much easier than I expected (certainly harder than week 9!)

I say go for it. Slow and steady as always, but you will do it, if you pace yourself well.

[Laureth Graduate in reply to yatesco]

Hi yatesco

Thanks I have been following your progress and seen that you had completed a 5k. Well done. I bet you felt amazing after (albeit a bit sore and tired!)

Its just the thought of running 40+ minutes. By the time I hit 30 mins I am ready to stop. I have until tomorrow to sign up. Hopefully I'll have the guts to do it ☺

[yatesco Graduate in reply to Laureth]

That's the interesting thing - when you aim for 20 you feel ready to stop at 20, when you aim for 25 you feel ready to stop at 25, then 28, then 30 etc.

I didn't actually aim for 5K my first time, I just thought 'why not keep going and see when I feel ready to stop' and I noticed 4K came up and I felt find, then 4.5 etc.

[PippiRuns]

I am not there yet, only just started week 7, but I am running at about the same pace as you, so I guess that I will also have problems with 5K too when I graduate. So I am following your post to see what advice all the experienced graduates give you.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to PippiRuns]

Time.. not distance. It is about being able to run for thirty minutes,, three tines in the last week of runs.. stamina not speed...a journey, not a race

[PippiRuns in reply to Oldfloss]

Why is it so bloody difficult to not concentrate on distance and speed?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to PippiRuns]

You have to turn those thoughts off... just think run...focus on your surroundings...inside or out... 

I make poems up, over my Graduation weeks, especially the last ones, just before Christmas, I put different words to Christmas carols.. some posted on here...encouraged by my from friends

I recited poetry or quotes from my school days..loads from Wordsworth's Prelude... I still do it now if I am trying to go further, or slower.. try it...

[PippiRuns in reply to Oldfloss]

Wow, that sounds complicated! I think I'm going to have to figure out a less demanding way of turning thoughts about speed and distance off🏃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to PippiRuns]

It's easy... just recite rhymes in your head...a Danish Nursery rhyme.. this could be slow one..?

En elefant kom marcherende

[PippiRuns in reply to Oldfloss]

Ok, I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what it does for me... Do you know En elefant kom marcherende or did you just google it?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to PippiRuns]

I don't know it in Danish..but weirdly, when I taught, in reception Class,. we had a rhyme very similar to that... and I just love Elephants!! And they go slowly!

[PippiRuns in reply to Oldfloss]

🐘🐘🐘

[davelinks Graduate]

I did the Bushey Parkrun for my w9r3 and don't remember running for 5k. You only have to run for 30mins, it's not about distance, but you knew that didn't you! so start off running slow and do your c25k 30 mins then walk or run as you feel comfy with, then sprint over the finishing line for a spectacular finish! Have a great graduation! Enjoy the moment!😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

As davelinks says.. it is about a thirty minute run.. not 5K.. so.. sow and steady does it.

Just enjoy your graduation run.

Maybe leave the Park run until after?

[davelinks Graduate]

The Parkrun's fine to do graduation at, but don't get involved with the faster runners which can happen, just keep it slow and give it some at the end to sprint over the line..😊

[barmybint Graduate]

Hi Laureth. I'm in exactly the same boat. Finished r2 today with 3.88km in 30 mins. I'm doing a park run to graduate. Don't forget that you still need to follow the program so first 5 mins is walking anyway. When you add that distance to your 30 min run, you won't be far off.

You can always walk again after the 30 min run if you want to.  Good luck x

[secan Graduate in reply to barmybint]

Well, you can arrive five minute earlier and do your warm-up walk before the start of the actual parkrun. 😉

[secan Graduate]

Go for it; the atmosphere of a parkrun is invigorating and you might surprise yourself. 😉

Furthermore nothing prevents you from running for 30 minutes and complete whatever distance remains walking. There are people walking the entire 5km.

Have a great and enjoyable graduation run... and don't forget to tell us everything about it afterwards.

[Celtprof Graduate]

Hi Laureth. Yes, I've just done run 2 and ran a bit longer to get to 5k. Why don't you break it down into two goals- the 30 minutes for week 9 run 2 and then the 5k distance. So you could run your 30 minutes, take a couple of minutes recovery walk then finish the last K running. That way, you get the best of both goals! You never know, you might not even need the walk break if you are on a roll. Good luck! 

[Laureth Graduate]

Thanks for all your replies. I will let you know how I get on. Good luck to you to barmybint.