Feeling lost

[Kimterry]

I graduated last week and am feeling a little lost without the dulcet tones of Jo Whiley to spur me on! Yesterday, I tried to consolidate running for 30mins, as suggested by Old Floss, but lost my mojo after 10 mins. Any ideas? I am planning to start the other podcasts, but thought it best to increase my stamina first by getting a few more 30 min runs under my belt. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙁

[misswobble Graduate]

C25k+ stepping Stones podcasts are ace! Do them inside out and back to front. they are challenging but they will help with motivation 🙂🏃‍♀️✔️👍

[Kimterry Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thank you - I'll give them a go now

[Nibor5 Graduate]

If you find the stepping stones too much right now, you could try repeating W9 from the app, that way Jo can continue to motivate you.

[Kimterry Graduate]

Thanks. That's a really good idea. I read that too on another recent post. I suppose I still need some kind of prop - baby steps!

[Hidden]

Hey Kim I felt the choices a little overwhelming, did you see Bluebirdrunner excellent post last week? That helped me get my focus and cut through all the options. Now I have downloaded a new interval timer, and managed it along with Map My Run and music, to give me a time and distance prompt for the 5k achievement.

Then I decided I really couldn't do without Mr Smooth, so I overlaid him on my second post graduation run. I am using him every third run or so.

I've found it's a bit of a mix and match process, but I am not quite ready yet for the Stepping Stones.

Whatever you decide, if you need the support then why not?

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy it.

[Kimterry Graduate]

Thank you for the excellent advice. I'll check out Jan now runs Post from last week!

[damienair Graduate]

The first few weeks post graduation are really tough. I also struggled. I know what you are going through. I need a Quest, something to aim for. Not sure if you have tried a Parkrun yet. For me I used Parkrun as a way of training for 5K. I was not able to run it all, but each week I would run 30mins on Tuesday, 30 mins on Thursday and then a Parkrun on a Saturday. I would use my mid week runs as training runs for the Parkrun. Each week I would try and run more and more of it and try to improve my time each week. This really helped me for the first few weeks post graduation and kept me focused. I am still learning, still playing about with Pace, still trying to get comfortable at 5k. 10 weeks post graduation I know that I am still a new runner, and still have loads to learn. But I'm really enjoying the journey.

[Kimterry Graduate]

Thanks. I am thinking of trying the park run too. Running for 30 mins is such a struggle for me - I'm glad that I have achieved it but I suppose I'm thinking that it should be easy now that I've graduated. I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Thanks to everyone for your inspiration and motivation.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Kimterry]

After graduating those early 30 min runs are a real learning curve. No, it doesn't suddenly become easier, but the fact that you KNOW you can do it helps. You can listen to your body, realise that the first few mins of every run will be tough while you get your oxygen on board, so go nice and slow and wait for that feeling when your legs just carry you and you relax into a rhythmn.

The more of those 30 min runs you do, the better you will manage them.

Stepping Stones is great as you get new coaching tips from Laura😊

Good luck and keep running...

[Kimterry Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks for the positive and very welcome advice.

[misswobble Graduate]

Running 5k is hard let alone in under 30 mins!

Slowly, slowly folks 🙂

Go carefully 👍🏃🏃‍♀️✔️

[Kimterry Graduate]

I think I'll focus on trying to consolidate running for 30mins first, then think about 5K - I don't think I'll be planning to run 5K in 30 mins any time soon! 🏃🏽‍♀️

[damienair Graduate in reply to Kimterry]

You don't need to run 5k in 30 mins. You could run for 20, walk for 5, run for 15. Run it all at a nice slow pace, even if it takes you 45 minutes. You can even walk all of the 5k at a Parkrun. Don't wait until your an Olympic athlete to try Parkrun. It's a brilliant experience. No better thing to try post graduation. There is no pressure. You'll love it. I promise.

[Kimterry Graduate in reply to damienair]

I think I should take the plunge and just sign up!

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Post grad blues. I think that you just need to keep the routine going. Park run is a brilliant option. Its free, there no obligation to be there every week and you are with people who are all there for the same thing. Also, try timeoutdoors.com/ it gives you an opportunity to look at organised runs in your area. If you have got a few in your diary then it helps motivate you for those 'training runs' in between.

Something like strava is also good. At the moment I am trying to improve my PB. I have noticed through strava that my better times come when I have not had such a fast start. So I am using the app to pace my miles to produce a more consistent run.

[Kimterry Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you. Yes, agreed. I just need to keep the routine going.