Today was a great running day - almost as good as graduation a couple of months ago! When I graduated I wasn't even running 4K, which was disappointing to be honest though I was over the moon I could run for thirty minutes. Honestly this programme is a miracle worker - I struggled with the one minute runs when I started. Anyway post graduation I shed the support of Laura and the headphones and soon got used to running in silence. I built up to four k and then , while on holiday in rural Brittany to the magic 5k, running faster than I had been and achieving that in 37.05. Since then I have continued to run on alternate days (with an occasional two day break) but until today and never been close to that time. I don't know is because many routes here include quite steep hills which slow me down, but although I have ran 5k a total of 17 times I never got near my first ever time again! My breathing was hard, my legs felt like jelly , the wind was against me , and sometimes I just had to stop .
Tonight though after work I set out and tried to breathe deep breaths, not hunch over and moved my legs faster. And it worked, I did my 5k run around the farm lanes and the village (choosing a flattish route) in 36 minutes 33 seconds! I was absolutely chuffed and elated and keep gazing at Strava and my new perosnal best record.
Yes, improvements after finishing the programme can't come as fast as they do while doing it, but come they do, and I hope I can keep improving this 5k time and also my stamina- maybe 6k is my next challenge!!
That is such an inspiring read! You have really knuckled down and moved yourself on. That is a great time and you really sound disciplined and dedicated. Not only that, I can almost hear those little squeaks of excitement between the lines, so you're enjoying it too! Well done Hidden (note to self 'get a routine going again, you won't improve by chance')
Vanessa291 I got loads of encourage and inspiration from folk on the forum further ahead on their journey. Trust the programme. Trust yourself. Give it time.
It's harder after graduation McFitty as its not structured but in some ways that's more fun! I just added a couple of minutes on till I got to 5k, then stopped running for time and focusessed instead on distance. Had a couple of 'practice runs' but generally do 5k on alternate days, with rest days in between (usually one but two a couple of times due to circumstances) . Yesterday was my 18th time running 5k, so I know I can do it! I need running to be something I do - as routine as brushing my teeth!!!!
Well done on your new time. I did my first 5K the other day in 37:28 which I was pleased with like a lot of people on here I don't expect to hit that for a while as everything just slotted into place. Today I m just going for a 20 min run but hoping to go a little faster
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Graduated with running my first 5k
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