Feeling a bit fraudulent.

[SunnyMummy]

I did my first post-grad run today, & although I opted for a change of venue, I just repeated the last 30 minute run session from the app. I know it's hot - especially as I couldn't get out til midday today - & I suspect I'm not hydrating enough prior to my runs at present, but is it still meant to be such hard work? I mean, I'm doing it, & I feel great, don't get me wrong, but it still takes all my determination to do the 30 minuters whereas by the end of each of the progressive weeks I would feel relatively comfortable. And I swear there are times when I'm not doing much more than power-walking with a bit of extra flare!

So although I love this, & although it now says 'graduate' after my name here, I feel like a bit of a fraud really, like I haven't really got my fitness levels up to speed as it were. Does/did anyone else feel like this?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Read Joo1' s post on the Bridge to 10K forum......very similar to yours.

The word graduate after your name doesn't mean you are suddenly a finely honed athlete...............you are a very new runner with a few dozen miles on your legs and probably less than twenty hours of running experience........but you do know you can run for 30minutes.

This is why consolidation is good for a few weeks. To become used to 30mins/5k before you try to move on. You have made great strides in a relatively short time and you now need patience to bed in that distance/duration. Regular running creates the habit and in a month or two you will be able to see a difference. There is no quick fix.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Well said. I'm so glad you made the consolidation bit. This applies to absolutely everything in my opinion. Yet is so often overlooked (and yes, by me too, because sometimes even if you know it, it takes someone else to say it). I know this isn't my thread, but this helps me a lot in helping me to realise some stuff I needed to realise.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You are doing great Hidden 😀 Why not get back to the programme when that strain is better, go on, you know you will 🏃🏻💪🏻

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I will look up that post, thank you.

My plan for the mo is exactly that, to just keep doing the 30 minute runs until they start to become consistently more comfortable & then see whether naturally want to increase speed or distance. But for now, slow-and-steady have become my middle names I think!

[Hidden]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Lots of people feel like this (me included). Just take your time, do a few runs (at whatever speed you like) and then think about what you want to do next. It is really common to feel at a bit of a loss when the programme finishes but if you just play about a bit I am sure you will find where you want to go next.

I think 'play' is the way to go 🏃🏃‍♀️😁

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Helen, I'm just repeating the last run on the app for a bit - feel I still need Sarah M to prompt me lol - so we'll see how they go & if it gets any cooler!

[Hidden]

Sounds like you're beating yourself up unfairly.

If you're pushing yourself, making progress and above all enjoying it, then what more can you ask for?

And on the hot weather, your performance is going to be affected. That's absolutely normal. It's why certain sports have seasons.

All sounds good to me.

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Good points! I think (hope) it will be less of a challenge when it's less muggy. I am enjoying it - afterwards anyway lol.

[Wizziewood]

Exactly how I felt ... and still do. I took Laura and the W9 podcast out on my first run ... and still do about once a week. The other replies say it all, we are runners, we can run for 30mins and Rome wasn't built in a day!

Congratulations on your graduation, you did it, now think back over the weeks and celebrate your success.

How about running a Parkrun? That's helped my confidence. I've managed to run the 5k but it really isn't a problem if you run/walk, lots do. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive (just like here on the forum!) and you'll probably surprise yourself.

Good luck with your future runs.

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Wizziewood]

Thanks Wizzie. Yes I've looked at our local Parkrun - in fact that's partly what prompted me to choose my training location as it's the park they use - but alas it's at 9am on a Saturday morning so no good for me. I am usually in the same place a couple of hours later lol.

[Maztink]

You read my mind! I took laura out on a couple of runs but now I am playing about with different speeds , mainly slow and slower lol. Varying my route and generally practising . I like the term consolidating. That's what we are doing!! Happy Consolidating! !

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Maztink]

Exactly what I'm doing Maz! Yes I like it too, it's a great term isn't it? I've used it twice this week already when people have asked if I'm doing any more runs, like I should stop now that I'm not training for anything in particular.

[McFitty Graduate]

Still consolidating almost a year after graduation! Still take Laura out with me sometimes and always playing with those speeds 'slow and slower'😊

[Redbillie21 Graduate]

It gets easier, the more you do it, the easier it gets 👍

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Redbillie21]

There's a great motto up at the gym that I occasionally get to: "it doesn't get easier, you just get better"! 😜

[Whatsapp Graduate]

When I started this programme, in April, I used to go out for my early morning runs (5.30am) wearing a hoodie as it was so cold with frost on the ground; and the warm-up walk was literally a warm up - I couldn't wait to run. At the end of the run it felt nice as I was comfortably warm during my warm down walk.

Today as I finished my run, face redder than a baboons backside, and literally dripping with sweat, I fought to get to the end. I went straight for a shower and was still sweating by the time I had finished. On Saturday, for the first time ever, I stopped before I had finished because I had nothing left in the tank.

The heat really has a major effect. So don't be too hard on yourself.

[runningphobe_no_more Graduate]

Same as them. I still listen to the week 9 podcast two years after graduation - the "original salsa" in the last five minutes never fails to make me smile. As long as I do two or three 30 min runs a week, I know I'm hanging on to what I have achieved. Often there just isn't time for more. When I've got time, I up it by two minute intervals until I'm regularly running 4K. Occasionally I go for 5K which still takes me 40 - 45 minutes, but who cares? Three years ago when I was 60 I couldn't run for a bus. Now I feel 10 years younger than I did then and have dropped two clothes sizes. I will do a marathon one day - but maybe not just yet.