Graduation... does it get any easier?!

[Fishypieface]

I've just graduated (yay!) and I am doing about 3.5 to 4km in 30 mins. If I carry on running for 30 mins 3 times a week am I likely to start getting faster/ will it get easier?! I find it really hard and I am literally on my knees at the end! I feel I may have reached my limit. Any tips gratefully received!

[SC1472 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating. Don't out yourself under any pressure to complete a certain distance, just continue to enjoy running three times a week. You will know when you are ready to move on if you want more of a challenge.

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to SC1472]

Thank you, I'm not really enjoying it at the moment but I hope I will start to in a couple of weeks or so if I stick at it!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done and congratulations, fellow runner.

You are a very, very new runner with only a few hours running on your legs, so, yes it will get easier with regular running and most people find speed comes as they get stronger.

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, good to know! I guess I am expecting too much of myself, too soon. Shall keep plodding on!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Phew....and congratulations

Easier, maybe... But, getting stronger every run you do...yes

You need to consolidate the thirty minute runs...but not every run and not right now.

Take some time to enjoy being a runner.. that badge gives you time, to just do some runs for yourself and for pure pleasure. This programme has started the running build up but as IannodaTruffe says, you are a new runner and it will take time. Our legs, stamina and strength have only just got going!

Bask in the glory of Graduation and then try, over a couple of weeks, some runs of different kinds... a 30 min consolidation, maybe a shorter one... then maybe a 'see where you get to' one

New routes and different runs can be great after we first graduate and then there are lots of other paths to explore to move you forward, longer and faster runs too , if that is what you choose to do

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for all the tips and wise words. I have just treated myself to some proper running shoes as a graduation present to myself so I will take a small step back, stagger on in style and try to enjoy!

[Hidden]

I graduated with 3.7k in 30 minutes about 2 months ago. I think that that post graduation period is a bit tricky as you try and work out how to go forward without the structure. I have tried various things; running increasing distance (at an increase of 10% per week), running shorter runs but quicker, doing the stepping stones podcast, doing week1 of C25K but jogging the walk bits and trying to go faster for the run sections, setting out without a clue what will happen, running for 30 minutes, running in France on (yikes) hills.....

and here (for what it's worth) is my insight. It doesn't really matter what you do. Try and do different things, mix up speed and distance, try different routes, go on holiday....Just make sure that you run 3 times a week (or thereabouts) and take it slowly. Find out what you can do, what you want to do and BE PATIENT. I ran 7k last week and that seemed to make my next 5k much quicker... I don't really understand WHAT is happening, but I am just very happy that it is, that I am (touch wood) injury free and growing in strength, stamina and confidence as a runner

Other people love Parkrun or other organised events. Some people like setting speed goals or distance goals, others like to see where they end up...

I think its like learning any thing new- like the piano, you learn to do it and then find out what you want to do- classical, jazz, pop, or slashdeathmetal....Have fun

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Thanks for your insight, really helpful and yes, I need to be patient!! Great to hear you are doing 7k! If I can do 5k in 2 months time - no matter what the time, I will be really happy with that. It's a miracle I can just about do 30 minutes of jogging, I should remember that!

[O505k Graduate]

Congratulations on graduation. Well done.

As the other replies have said give yourself a chance to enjoy running. Keep running the 3x 30mins regularly and you will start to notice a difference. I run the same route and noticed the that in 30mins I was going a little further only a couple of houses at first but little improvements add up over time.

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to O505k]

Thank you that's really good to know!