W9 runs - nearly there but not quite ready to ... - Couch to 5K

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W9 runs - nearly there but not quite ready to graduate πŸ˜•

Redcurlew profile image
RedcurlewGraduate
β€’9 Replies

It would be great to sail through graduation this week, but the 30 min runs are just out of my reach at the moment. I'm very close, but I'm needing a couple of sneaky pauses to keep me going - ostensibly to check the time on my Fitbit or to put on/take off my waterproof, but actually ...

So I've decided to stop thinking about graduation and to focus on consolidating at the level I'm at. I think I'll be able to run 30 mins comfortably before too long.

My plan is -

To keep running x 3 every week, aiming for 30 mins

To get to know myself better as a runner, to improve my confidence and to make peace with the what-on-earth-do-you-think-you're-doing-at-63 gremlin which is still nipping away in my head

To keep improving my strength and stamina - I'm already very happy about my improved fitness πŸ™‚

To experiment with new routes, apps etc

To figure out the whole winter running thing, and how/where to run on dark days when I'm working

And somewhere along the way I'm determined to collect that shiny badge!

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Redcurlew profile image
Redcurlew
Graduate
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9 Replies
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Branners12 profile image
Branners12Graduate

Go for it! You are amazing πŸ˜„

LeeU profile image
LeeUGraduate

Post graduation just continue to run 3x 30 minutes or even 2x shorter/faster runs and one longer run/30 minutes.

That would help build your fitness/stamina levels.

If you've reached Week 9 then do the runs IF you are comfortable with them, only you can decide if you are ready for 30 minutes non-stop running.

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Sounds like you're nearly there, maybe slow down, and then slow down a bit more when you feel you need a break .

Keeping the three times a week thing going sounds sensible, and I'm sure you'll get there in time.

Good luck. πŸ‘πŸ½

Redcurlew profile image
RedcurlewGraduate in reply to Razouski

Helpful advice, thank you πŸ™‚

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

This is your journey... and you do it your way.... but... and only if you choose.. you could use the runs as part of your plan.

Slow down a bit... and when you come to the ," take your waterproof off" bit, just slow down, even more and carry on :)

Pretend they are not Week 9 runs... and just do them... the only way I managed my first 10K, was to run 5K, I felt fine and thought.. oh, I will just run another 5K.. I had to pretend it was not 10K... it worked for me :)

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto......

You are going to keep on running and you are going to be brilliant..maybe just have a go :) I and all the others will be right there with you... but your choice:) Keep us posted please:)

Redcurlew profile image
RedcurlewGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

I think pretending they're not week 9 runs is the key for me. Many thanks for your encouragement πŸ‘πŸ‘

TJMazz profile image
TJMazzGraduate

Sounds like you are doing great. Keep practicing and I'm sure you'll succeed. πŸ‘

Runn profile image
Runn

Thank you for posting this - I feel like I am in the same boat. I did my last week 9 run a couple of weeks ago but didn't feel like I did it in a way that made me feel I could claim my graduate badge or in a way that made me feel proud of myself. I can run comfortably for 20 minutes but after that start to allow myself to take longer than I need to when crossing roads and the last thing I want to do after working so hard is feel like I'm cheating myself. I know I can run for 30 minutes without stopping because I have done it before but for some reason I can't achieve it at the moment. I'm still trying to get out three times a week and set out aiming to run for the full 30 minutes. I know I will get there and then I will claim my graduate badge with pride but until then I will carry on at my own pace, under my own steam.

Redcurlew profile image
RedcurlewGraduate in reply to Runn

Thanks Runn for this reply, it’s encouraging to know that someone else is having a similar experience at the end of the programme πŸ™‚ I’m feeling quite liberated as a result of ditching the app & time checks, which I was finding de-motivating on these longer runs - the β€˜omg surely I must have run for more than 15 mins by now’ gremlin was working overtime! So now I’m running a route that takes a little over 30 mins and not thinking about time or checking my watch during the run at all. Seems to be working for me so far and much less stressful! I hope your running week is going well πŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

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