Today is graduation day for me! A week later than planned but so what. A few weeks ago I thought this would be a momentous occasion for me, but actually it feels like any other run.
I say this because around W7 I was thinking of what I'd do next-faster/further/10k? Lots of the experienced runners on here said to reign in expectation and consolidate the 30min runs...I just didn't get it-why so negative? Coming up to my graduation run, I get it. This isn't a program to be completed and done with, it's a program to start you off in the right direction, and to encourage good running habits.
After today, I intend to keep on running my favourite routes, 3 times a week-some only 20mins, some a good 30, some hilly, some flat. The point of my rambling is this-for me there is no "end date" Graduation is the start. I don't care (for now) how far or fast I go, I just want to run because I enjoy it, and because after 10 weeks I have a level of fitness I didn't think I would ever achieve. So if you are wondering "what next" try and look at it as running because you want to not because there's another level, the rest will come I'm sure.
Thanks to everyone for their support and stories, they keep me going. 🏃
Written by
Hannah_S36
Graduate
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Very well said! We run because we can ... and to be fair still can't believe we CAN!! Well done on graduating, I still think you should feel epic - and at least treat yourself to a slice of cake 🎂 🎉👍🏻
Well done Hannah_S36 I can't wait to make it to the end of c25k, and what a great post about this just being the baby steps to a new life of running! 👍🏻😀🏃
If you haven't done your graduation run yet, Hannah, then set it up carefully. I rushed at mine with impatience, doing it on a Friday evening after a hard week at work.......it was a hard slog. I should have waited for the weekend.
It is said you have to do something regularly for 12 weeks for it to become established habit..........you are well on the way.
I have done it. A good successful run...with only a little stitch at the 10min marker. I do feel very proud to have come this far...and will of course collect my badge of honour. For all u folks not yet there-just keep running! X
I couldn't agree more. As new runners we have a lot to learn: running at different times (which works best for us), different weather conditions/ temperatures, how to pace, when to push, when to hold back, hills, fartlek, new routes, trail running, park runs, the list goes on.
We need time to explore what is best for us. And time to build up our running muscles. I think post-graduation is a great platform to be able to do this once we have set the foundations from C25k.
My advice to anyone getting to the end of the programme is don't make any immediate plans - but do make a commitment to keep running regularly.
Congratulations on graduating. Such an achievement in itself, but I totally agree - at the end I finally realised that the best thing of all is that it was becoming a habit. I did a few runs where I was desperate to run 5k, then to do so faster. But now I am enjoying running without expectation, without fear of not making the weekly target ... as so many people have said, enjoying running simply because I can. Lots and lots of time yet for new targets, but habit forming/maintaining, together with confidence that I am not going to give up without the 9 week structure is top priority for me for now. And it's fun!
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Approaching Graduation
Graduation Day 🎉🎉
graduation day!!
************* Graduation *************
