I'm a runner now!

[1969alt]

Happy New Year!

I've not posted for while as it was so busy in the lead up to Christmas. However, I wasn't too busy to continue my training and I'm proud to report that I completed run 3 of week 9 early on Friday 30th December 2016, yay!!!! How do I show I'm a graduate?

I've really enjoyed listening to Laura on the podcasts so I've now got the stepping stones ones. I've done 2 30 minute runs this week already. First was really hard partly because on the return I was running into the wind. Last night I planned another route and it was a great run, only slightly hampered by stitch half way through. Now I can run for 30 minutes I'm working on speed and distance as I've only just got to about 4K. Any advice gratefully received 😀

For me C25K has been excellent, so to all the new starters and those of you working through the weeks, keep it up, it might not always be easy but its absolutely worth it.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge congratulations! Click on the link ate the side for your badge!

First suggestion is... enjoy the moment.. maybe, like quite a few of us on here, have some post Graduation runs, just for fun and pleasure... no distance, no speed , in your head....just running because you can With no pressure, you can really just let go!

Then, as ever, slow and steady... build up, using the 10% rule. but sensibly...the IC is not a good place to be! The speed and distance, well, there will be lots of advice on that, but always taking it steadily.

I used the C25K+ podcasts ( and still do occasionally) Did each one for three runs each, to see which suited me. Like many of us, found Stepping Stones weird.. strange pace.. but then loved Speed and Stamina... I incorporate those two into runs now, if I want to challenge myself or extend a run.

The distance will come...for me, my first goal after 5K was 7 K... it was my magic number... just over a year after Graduating, I am up to 10K..but I was in no hurry... I just let it happen and still feel motivated, and am still loving my running!

I look forward to your posts, Graduate!!!!

[1969alt Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for the great reply. My first goal(s) was to be able to run continuously, I'm so proud of myself for sticking with the training and getting to 30 minutes. For me that's been a massive achievement so it's onwards and upwards... at a steady pace!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to 1969alt]

That is the only way.. well done

[Flossie22 Graduate]

Congratulations! Happy running. Go to the pinned post on the right "Graduation Badges January" and explain that you completed it in December. Take it slow and steady. Don't get over enthusiastic and run too far too soon. Use the podcasts in C25K+. Enjoy every step and celebrate your achievement! 👏🏻👏🏻🎓🎓😊😊🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🎉🎉🍾🍾

[1969alt Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

Thank you 😊😊😊

[McFitty Graduate]

Happy New Year. VERY happy new year. VERY happy 30th December! Enjoy being able to run. Slow and steady continues post graduation so, gently does it. Massive congratulations

[1969alt Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Thank you, I'm beaming from ear to ear, as I do at the end of every run so far! 😄

[ju-ju- Graduate]

hooray thats fantastic, congratulations!

[Hidden]

Well done. Another one with I bet a big cheesy grin on all day ! Yes good advice about taking it steady but as you'll see everyone likes a challenge gradually increasing time and speed.

I put my first emphasis building up my stamina by increasing my time to start with up to 43 minutes. If I've already bored you with this before apologies in advance ! I said to myself "Aim was to run for 30 minutes, get fit and healthy, and avoid potential future on medication, anything else is a bonus" So I have set myself a buffer whereby I can never set myself up for a bad run.

Despite weather and xmas (mince pie overload) upsetting routine I have sometimes only run 30 minutes but compared to being couch potato last year it's all good and still happy.

I'm giving myself a bit of time to get back into routine and back up to 40 minutes running. But know I have confidence and base to work from and experimenting with the podcasts and routes etc. Some experts reckon that at whatever age we start running could have 7 years of improving in us. So there's no rush. Be interesting to prove them right or wrong !

So happy new year and happy running ! And steady as you go !

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations! Ending 2016 in style!