Learning to be my own Laura: It's taken me a... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,414 members158,564 posts

Learning to be my own Laura

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate
13 Replies

It's taken me a week to motivate myself to run again since I graduated - what a difference it made, having a programme to complete! But I hauled myself out from under the duvet this morning and did 30 minutes - I tricked myself into it by telling myself that I'd just do 20 minutes, 'that feels very manageable' (blimey, I couldn't have said that a couple of months ago!). Then when I got to 20 minutes I wanted to carry on and finish.

I wanted to run without any music so just had an interval trainer which I set to beep every five minutes. I loved hearing the billowy breeze in the trees and the birds starting to wake up. I missed Laura's encouragement but keep telling myself I was doing well and had a little mantra in the last ten mins of 'stamina and endurance' to encourage me to keep going.

I think I might try and add a couple of minutes each week until I can do 5k. I think I'm doing 3-3.5 at the mo.

Life beyond graduation!

Written by
belonger profile image
belonger
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
13 Replies
Wizziewood profile image
Wizziewood

Well done you!

It can feel a bit of a void when you've graduated can't it.

There's no harm in taking Laura out with you occasionally and what about doing a Parkrun, great atmosphere and no pressure to be competitive.

Good luck with your future runs, happy running!

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate in reply to Wizziewood

Thanks, I have thought about Park Run but it doesn't appeal yet, I'm not one for big groups of people. Maybe I'll go and watch one and see how it feels.

I love Laura but I've really heard enough of Laura's music! So it was a relief to go out without the music this morning.

I think now I've got myself out again 'on my own' I'll keep at it - fingers crossed!

Wizziewood profile image
Wizziewood in reply to belonger

Totally agree with you about the music!

Don't be put off Parkrun, admittedly there are loads of runners at the start but if you hang back and start slowly you soon establish your own 'space'. I always run on my own during the week but look forward to the Parkrun, I find running with others is a distraction and the time passes less slowly (notice, I don't say quickly!).

Good luck with whatever you do!

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate in reply to Wizziewood

Thanks, that's really encouraging

Enricakita profile image
Enricakita

Is there not an equivalent plan for post grad ppl?

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate in reply to Enricakita

Hi, I think there's one for people working towards a 10k goal, but I'm way off that! I think I'll set myself some intermediate goals and see how I get on.

Rowville profile image
Rowville

Yes I found the run post graduation much easier than the final week think it must be a head thing, but no pressure the next run. I'm way off 5 k at the moment but still using Sarah trying to go slightly faster for a bit and increase time every other run till I get to the magic 5 !! Good luck

buddie17 profile image
buddie17Graduate

Well done for graduating! I'm a long way off yet.... but I was just wondering who / what is Laura?? I can't see a c25k pod cast with that name!

Thanks, Bud x

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate in reply to buddie17

Laura is the woman who talks us through the runs on the NHS C25k, she's great! Are you using te NHS podcasts?

buddie17 profile image
buddie17Graduate in reply to belonger

Ah!!! I seem to have the BBC one.... I guess that's different podcasts then! Thanks x

MagicandCastles profile image
MagicandCastlesGraduate

Try Zombie run! It's a story where you are the hero running for supplies to save the camp, the occasional zombie chases (if you turn them on) to make you run a bit faster for for a bit so hopefully it'll help build overall pace in the long term. It's fun though and makes sure I'm getting out post graduation to see what happens next! You don't have to listen to music with it, it just pipes up with a bit more story when occasionally during the run.

belonger profile image
belongerGraduate in reply to MagicandCastles

That sounds fun!

MagicandCastles profile image
MagicandCastlesGraduate in reply to belonger

It really is! zombiesrungame.com

You may also like...

Laura's voice with my own music?

possible to have Laura's voice with my own music. I've had a bit of a setback with my running,...

Love Laura but want my own music...

Any suggestions? I like having laura tell me all the useful things but i really think it would...

My holiday with Laura in Oz

old fat C25K graduate who was heading off for a break in Adelaide? Well, Laura and myself went out...

A taste of my own medicine!

After effectively telling ra220 to just get out there and run, I then had to give myself a kick up...

Update on running on my own

radio therapy, all's going well, psa count down so keep our fingers crossed . He's been out...