Yes, I'm really pleased to say that I finally managed to get out and complete my very first run as a graduate of the C25K plan. Not only that, but I managed to get to 5km in (just) under 40 minutes, so I'm buzzing at the moment. Ideally I would've liked to have covered 5km within 30 minutes, but considering where I was a few months ago, I'll settle for 5km in 40 minutes!
I have not had a chance to complete a run since graduating on Saturday Nov 26th, but I know I really do need to keep up with it if I want to retain the level of fitness I have already achieved so far. It is a struggle at the moment because not only am I very busy with work (and life in general), but I have to be honest and say I'm still not actually in love with running at this moment in time, and I have a real battle in my head to get the motivation to go out and do it, especially when the weather isn't as nice. Don't get me wrong, I feel great after I have completed a run, but it's just getting that motivation to start one! I know that motivation isn't going to get much easier now that I've actually graduated and no longer have that goal I set myself. As some of you may know, I purchased a treadmill recently (though it's yet to be delivered still), and I'm hoping that when that eventually arrives, it will be easier for me to simply jump on that when I get the time. That should help to keep my fitness levels up (and maybe hopefully improve them), until such time as I find it easier to run for longer times and greater distances, then hopefully I will also end up with the running bug.
I don't know how accurate the distance is within the free app I have been using (Running by Fitness22), but it says I covered just over 5km so I hope it's correct. I took another new route (in parts) and ended up almost back home without actually realising it. (I've lived at this address for just over two years and I had never previously walked around this area).
I am off to London tomorrow morning, and I will be meeting up with my sisters and their partners for a short break until next Wednesday. So I'm pretty certain I won't get another chance to run before I get back which is why I made certain I done this run today.
Written by
Lee337
Graduate
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Great job my dear graduate matey. 5k in just under 40 minutes sounds super to me - least you got out there and smashed it!!
I'm going for my first light jog in nearly 3 weeks tomorrow - hoping my knee will hold out. I've really missed the running - I fell in love with it from almost day one - but then I've always fell too quickly - the story of my life lol
Well, I must be honest and say that the bug hasn't bitten me yet I'm afraid. Yes, I feel great (if a bit sore in places!) after a run, but I always seem to have to force myself out of necessity rather than because I really want to. I'm hoping when things calm down in my life and I can run a lot easier for longer, it will become a lot more enjoyable.
Oh, and I did indeed enjoy my break in London. Thanks! x
That's absolutely fantastic!!! I've just replied to you on my other post saying my next goal is to run for 5K no matter how long it takes me lol.. Great minds and all that although it's probably the next natural progression.
I still sometimes find I need to get motivated to go out of the door but my motivation now mainly comes from being determined not to let all the hard work go to waste and have to start again next year lol. It will be so much easier to jump on the treadmill and that will help loads to keep up with the running. I enjoy the run much more when I'm listening to my own music and songs I love.
You've done so well and I'm thrilled that you managed to run 5K
Yes, that's the same as me...I have only really continued with things because I don't want to have wasted all this time I've spent getting to this point!
Thanks for the comments and yeah we had a great time in London! x
The trouble is finding the time. I just wouldn't want to say I will do something and then find I have to pull out just beforehand because I don't have the time. I'd rather try and fit in a run 'as and when' for the time being.
Way to go Lee, smashed it matey! Why not look at the C25k + podcasts now to keep you going?
Have you registered for parkrun yet? We are rather hoping you will be part of the christmas eve virtual team at parkrun with the other 40 forum members who have pledged to run that day. I know you will do your best to join us in support of other first time park runners! 😀👍🏼🏃🏻🏃🏻♀️
Like I've said before, I really cannot commit to anything at the moment and just get out to run when I suddenly get the time. I'm hoping things will change in the new year and I can make a proper plan but at the moment it's going to remain adhoc.
Well done ! It feels great to do your own personal bests ! hopefully when your treadmill arrives it will give you more time. I'm lucky being semi-retired have a bit more time but even so have to work part time and have family and other commitments which can sometimes get in the way.
For motivation as others have replied perhaps try parkruns and different routes or try other podcasts for speed or something.. I'm doing my first parkrun Saturday 17th Dec. Not sure how many can fit in as work part time including Saturdays so had to book day off. I do different routes and trying core exercises and also cycle.
For motivation also as others say is to maintain fitness is as good a reason as any. For me it was partly a health warning wake up call. But even without that my lifestyle, despite regularly cycling, may have meant in future or sooner rather than later ending up on long term medication. So I can look on the exercise as a "Free insurance policy" against an potential early demise ! On balance though it still makes me happy and is time well spent !
Now forget the doom and gloom your on the right track and the running makes you feel good ! Remind yourself what your initial motivation was to help keep you going. I'll post you some photos after my parkrun. If it doesn't motivate you at least you'll have a good laugh at silly old git who thinks he's Mo Farah !! and put a smile on your face.
Yes, at the moment my only real motivation is that I want to maintain my current level of fitness that I've just spent the last few months building up. I certainly don't want all that time going to waste.
When it finally arrives, I'm hoping to be able to jump on my treadmill most days, even if it's only for 15 or 20 minutes, in the hope that it will increase my fitness levels to a point where I could manage a full parkrun with others. Then if I feel confident enough I will maybe look to do a parkrun in the future. I'm hoping that things will calm down a bit in the new year and I will get a bit more time to do things other than work and look for a place to live!
Well, that's just fantastic Lee! I am really proud of you for getting out there and running 5k. You star ⭐️. You may know that I am nursing a dodgy knee, so can't run for the foreseeable future, but I am still reading posts and contributing where I can. Have a great time in London, enjoy spending time with the family, then hopefully when I can get back out there, I can get on your case and "make you run" and enjoy it too! 😀👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻😀
A massive well done... treacle legs? I don't think so!!!! Wow.
Well done you.. a good time and a good run.
As suggested, the C25K + podcasts are different and they are fun... they give you a change of focus and hep you find your own running path..After graduation, I did runs for fun, no pressure and no real focus... just heading out and seeing where I got to. Then, the C25K + podcasts... and then tried all manner of things, ( some sensible and some very silly... the running backwards one was a hoot )... I did and still do mix and match and strides, and intervals and speed runs... ( Well not right now.. as still crocked). For me, cracking 7K was a real focus and then eventually heading for 10K.
Using your treadmill to help the fitness will be beneficial..strength and flex exercise too... I am using my cross-trainer to great advantage currently.
So much advice on here about where you can go and what you can aim for and then.... when you are ready.. you can head for the 10K changing room
Running backwards! lol I think I'll give that a miss...I can barely run forwards!
Yeah, I'm looking forward to finally getting the treadmill and hopefully I can build up my fitness levels by using it most days, even if it's only for 10 or 15 minutes. It's surely better than a single 30 minute run once a week.
Yes, it was great to do the 5k, but I was *really* struggling for the last 1k I can tell you...it was sheer willpower that got me over the threshold and I couldn't have gone on another for another 50 yards! I was totally at my limit there.
And thanks, yeah I had a really nice break in London.
Well done! A lot of new graduates can't run 5k let alone in under 50 mins, so yes be grateful for getting where you are in a short time, build your pb gradually...
I certainly am grateful. Thanks davelinks Yes, I completed 5k but the last 1k was so very slow I could've been overtaken by a tortoise if it was out on a nice easy Sunday stroll!! lol
Well done, that's brilliant! Like you, I'm struggling with motivation at the moment. I love the idea of a run, I love the feeling after a run, but honestly, I'm really not in love with running. I keep finding excuses and I'm so scared I'm going to lose all that I worked so hard to gain. So well done you for getting out there - and smashing it!
Yeah, that is my only real motivation at the moment to be honest...not wanting to let all that previous hard work go to waste. But, I guess it doesn't really matter what the motivation is, so long as we actually get out and run, right?
Hey there well done getting to 5 k a great milestone and now you'll want to improve your time , so many milestones ...as others have said the parkruns are great I've done 1 and volunteered on Saturday as I had the baby with me. Great group of people who all started at the beginning . I'm going for a run later my next aim is 37 mins but I'm always proud for getting out there. Life's busy here but I try and have my time 🍀
Yes, I'm happy to have reached that 5k but it wasn't easy. I will be really happy to be able to cover that distance again, but not find it so hard. That's my next aim I think. I'm not too bothered about the times and I guess they will get better naturally anyway once I improve my fitness.
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