Week 8 ✅

[Nozza03]

Just got home from completing week 8! Still hard and getting very tired half way through and right til the end but don't feel like I'm dying like I usually do. My daughter comes with me (she's extremely fit) and she going back to uni a week tomorrow so my goal is to graduate before she goes back! Only 3 more runs left so I can see my goal being achieved! A rarity in my world. I'm feeling very happy with myself and know I can run for 30 minutes. The end is in sight! 🤗

[Hidden]

You're practically on the podium with a little support form your daughter in the form of great motivation and company. Well done you - only 3 to go

[Nozza03 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

What do I do when I finish? Sort of feeling slightly sad it's nearly over. Do I do the 10 k? What did you do?

[Hidden in reply to Nozza03]

I don't know if any of this would work for you, but I really empathise with the 'sadness' feeling, its a happy/sad thing when you've done the programme, as you feel like you've lost a little something too...

Here's my 'recipe'

1- I set up 3 X weekly diary reminders to make me run - and sadly they say "Mr Smooth says get your trainers on and run' - I loved Mr Smooth so this is a cunning ploy on my part to kid myself Michael Johnson is still teeing me up

2- I still get all my kit out in sight of the bed so when the alarm goes there's no excuse

3- I am spending the first month just consolidating at 5k or 40 minutes, I run on hills and it's still warm in Italy so for me a 6 minute km is definitely an aspiration.

4- Because I found I enjoyed writing about each run on here. I thought I couldn't really continue with that because this 'space' in my view is more for those attempting the journey and it seems wrong to take up the 'airtime' as a graduate, so I started writing my own running blog jancanrun.com. It's not a commercial thing, purely for fun, but I found by writing about my running, I would plan to run

5 - I am also a 'lapsed' runner of 10k distance from 3 years back, so I know I prefer those longer runs. But I thought I'd get used to doing the 5k distance and then gradually ramp it up. We don't have park runs in Italy and I'm miles from the nearest park anyway, so mine is a solitary pastime. Do you think you want to be fast or distance? From the end of this month, I am then looking at the stepping stones apps, to increase my distance running. Also off-piste, (as it were) there's about 3 or 4 of my fellow graduates who gee each other on to make sure we are all still running. We do it via the private messaging facility and that is lovely, it is like having a running family...

6 - I have just started re-doing the programme from W1 R1 again by substituting the walk elements with a job and the 'run' elements with a sprint. I have to say in all honesty, that was tough and I am not sure my fitness levels are high enough to deliver it just yet. But that is also on my to do list...

Don't know if any of these resonate with you, but I was utterly bewildered about what I could be doing and actually the best advice came from Bluebirdrunner who wrote a post a couple of weeks back about the consolidation route.

That helped me clear up the clouds....

Good luck whichever route you decide on, will be looking out for your podium post...

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Omg Jcr have just gone into your blog and listened to the radio Merseyside clips...me and mr p were crying with laughter and we are stone cold sober so I can only imagine it fuelled by the odd glass of wine!! 😂😂😂 thank you for starting my weekend with a giggle!

[Hidden in reply to Polly2810]

They are priceless aren't they? I mentioned them to Mr JCR who'd never heard of it. Best radio quiz ever....

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

We had never until these...I need to find more!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nozza03]

Lots and lots of consolidation is the way to go as the seasoned Graduates will tell you.... some runs too, just because you can are always fun too...

But.. we need to build up our running muscles and the strength and stamina that goes with that also Continue with other exercise on rest days

Don't be tempted to push too fast and too far too soon... the way to keep running, and stay running, is to see what evolves and where you want your running path to lead...

Many folk get too hung up on moving to 10K too quickly.We see many folk on here and then they just try too hard, and vanish... !

Just let it come... try the C25K+ podcasts..they are very useful for helping us to structure and discipline our runs... and have fun too!

Many of the Graduates still use them on their own or within other runs too, even years after they Graduated

When you are ready to head over to Bridge to 10K after a few weeks.... there are some truly awesome and inspiring runners over there...

So..lots to think about and lots more fun to be had too!

Go you!!!!!

[RunForestR Graduate]

Well Done - the home stretch beckons!

[Nozza03 Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

Yes it does! Still can't quite believe it. Thank you ❤️

[RunForestR Graduate]

See you next Friday for a Celebratory Graduation party - virtually of course.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

Yeay...bubbly!!!

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Well done!! Mine is either tomorrow or Sunday see how the weekend pans out! Podium is waiting!!! 🥇

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow and steady does it.... take it at your pace and gently!

The runs are getting longer.. relax into them and find your happy pace If you are tired half way through..pull back a tad... and enjoy the view... try to start the runs slowly and just maintain the pace.. so close now