FROM GRADUATION HALT TO A MOTIVATED Mind 🤗

[quirkybee]

Morning my little cosy extended family of friends. I've lost touch with my running over the last 2 weeks, since my first personal park run. It's a pain when daily life gets in the way and no matter how hard you try, time will not permit and there isn't much we can do about it sometimes.

Since my graduation, I still kept running for the 30 minutes, but felt somewhat rejected, not being able to listen to Laura's voice. Like many on here, I felt I'd lost touch and I felt a huge slump after graduating.

For me, I need a push and motivation. So oooo, I've had a look around on the Internet and noticed via the NHS site that I could try the stretching and flexing podcast. I've viewed the videos for these, as Laura demonstrates the exercises. I thought this would be good as my next starting point.

Then, I discovered the very clever C25K+, which involves 3 podcasts for after graduation.

1. This is called STEPPING STONE and involves a 35 minute continuous run designed for recent C25K Graduates.

2. This is called SPEED and involves 16 minutes of running, alternating fast and slow sections, designed to improve your speed.

3. This is called STAMINA and involves a 35 minute run with music to keep you running at a faster pace for longer. I could do with this one, lol.

These are individual runs and not in any order. So I thought this could be my next move, which will keep me motivated and make me get out there again. It's so easy to give in and especially with the darker nights drawing in, which is no good for me or others that work full time during the day.

I'm not ready for a 10K yet no where near and I'd like to do many, many more 5ks and park runs, so I think these podcasts will give me the motivation and stamina that I need.

For those who are in a similar situation, lacking motivation, maybe it is worth you giving these podcasts a try. I'll let you know how I get on too, as I've missed posting and I've missed RUNNING 😂😂😁

Thanks folks, have a fab day 😊

See link below from the NHS site 👍

nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Couch-to...

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

We have missed you Beth. XxX

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Martin_Rose]

Ah, missed you all too Martin xx 🤗😊

[KoKo30 Graduate]

missed you too! Good that you now have a plan. I did try the stepping stones podcasts for a short while but didn't get on with them but maybe I should give them another go, you have motivated me to try! I have been running consistently since graduation with my own playlists but getting a bit bored with them now and not really improving my stamina and certainly not my speed but that is not a goal for me, I shall always be slow and steady. But I need motivation to run for 35 plus minutes. We'll see! Let us know how you get on.

Not sure about running in the dark when the clocks change, that is going to be a challenge......

[misswobble Graduate in reply to KoKo30]

Oh I am glad that someone else is bigging up these FREE kick ass podcasts

They rock! Get em done Graduates 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Oh yes.. every post I do in reply to a new Graduate.. they are great

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to KoKo30]

Try them again.. they may help

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to KoKo30]

Aww thanks KoKo, missed you too. Yes, running in the dark will be a challenge, so I doubt I'll get to do that, can be very dark and creepy where I am.

I definately need to improve my stamina, so will definately report back.

All my new tops are fighting to get out of the drawer, screaming, wear me, no, wear me, you like me the best 😂😂😂😁

[Sarahb18 Graduate]

Thanks for reminding me of these . Tried it a while ago but couldn't quite manage it !

Finding it difficult to progress post graduation..... will they the stepping stones again 😁👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sarahb18]

Try Speed or Stamina.. great fun

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Sarahb18]

Ooh Sarah, give it a go lovely, they may just be what you need to give you a kick start. I may not get along with them yet, so I'm just trying these options. Nothing worse than grinding to a halt and I have come to that now. I don't want it to go on, or I just won't get back into it and that will be a shame.

[Sarahb18 Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

Ah thanks quirkybee 😊

And you too ...... take those new tops out for a spin 😂

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

Thanks very much for this. I'm only on week 6 but had started to wonder how I'd keep motivated after graduation. I'll definitely be trying some of these.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jenny1970]

Consolidation first, as misswobble says, they are..." Kick-ass"

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Jenny1970]

Well done Jenny, you're getting there. Be nice to see others trying them x

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Love a great plan sounds good to me enjoy and let us know how you get on l looked at the stretching podcast test too but couldn't download. X

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Wantorun2013]

I'm on android and that link worked for me, but I'm sure there is a link for iPhone (Apple) etc. I shall be kicking my own ass if I don't get moving, lol.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

All good ideas 👍🏼Plenty there to keep you interested. The St and flex is good for rest days.

If you are running 30 mins ypu can always listen to Laura week 9 occasionally.

I also use week 2 as an interval run. Run fast/ run steady. Its quite hard going but again you will get Laura running with you.

Its really important to mix things a bit, hills, intervals, speed, fartlek etc. Also mix up your routes.

If not it will get very boring and motivation may well dip.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Stepping stones is my go to favourite run...Stamina is quite tough but doable and speed is a short little number, bit harder than you expect. All good...

As Misswobble says...do them😊x

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, gotta try something.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done.. we advise these for folk, after Graduation, all the time.. they are brilliant and if you have done some consolidation first, ( a couple of weeks usually) they take you on wonderfully!

Thanks for posting this very clear post..... saves me a lot of work

They are great..not to be underestimated though... hence the need for consolidation runs first Stepping Stones has weird timings, you either love or loathe.. I found it odd... Speed and Stamina are great....my favourites

Take your time and see how you go.... after you try them you may decide how to move on again too.

Great to have you back on track sweetie

PS

The Strength and Flex are what we tell folk to do, alongside C25K on rest days... they really compliment the journey and help with our core strength too

nhs.uk/livewell/strength-an...

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

As ever, thank you Oldfloss 🤗I'm confused about consolidation runs, sorry to be thick on this one, haha.

[misswobble Graduate]

The fast five minute solid running section at the end of Stamina is tough 😃

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks miss wobble for the warning. Gosh I don't think I could walk fast at the mo, let alone run, lol.

[Tricky2836]

Wayhey hello stranger, nice to see a post from you... hope your doing ok and keep up the hard work 😉

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Tricky2836]

Hey there Tricky, slow and steady is moi at the mo and thats not including running, lol. Yes, good to be back, thank you 😊

[Wannabefit19 Graduate]

Welcome back -- I'm just going to try one of these -- think I will try stamina first .. beautiful day for a run 🏃‍♀️

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Wannabefit19]

Hi Wannabe, lovely to see you too. Let me know how you get on, will look forward to it. Yes, lovely day to try it too 😊

[Wannabefit19 Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

Well swift change of plan with app .. read old floss and 2 wk consolidation runs comment and I'm only 1 wks post grad ... ALSO remembered I created a George Michael playlist after watching him last night .... ( loved that man ) so strava , mr S and George today ... beautiful run . 5 k done but included 8 mins of it walking warm up and cool down ... need to speed up a bit but big it was hot in the sun today at this time .. sure I'm faster when cooler . Do you think speed or stamina best I will try it soon

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Wannabefit19]

Well done, way hay. I'd try stamina at a guess. Let is know how you do. Wish I didn't have to work, I'd be out there now, lol.

[Wannabefit19 Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

I was at work at 1 - 7 so an am run always great way to build energy for the day ...... I love the feeling post run 🏃‍♀️🎉🤗

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Wannabefit19]

I find Stamina the hardest 😀

[Wannabefit19 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I will try them when completed 2 wks consolidation runs ... I need to increase speed but don't want to push it and loose this buzz of being able to run .. can do 40-45 mins non stop running now at reasonably slow pace but I'm doing it and 11 wks ago I couldn't run 1 min without feeling dreadful

Freedom by George Michael a great running track or audio fuel as C25K+ call it .... kept me going and replayed it as 6min 20 sec track so well on the way after only 2 tracks 🎼.

[Virginia60 Graduate]

Please let us know how you find them. I graduated with a 5k run Saturday and have since done another 5k on Monday and then a fast walk today of 40 minutes. I am still going to carry on running but too feel a bit aimless! I am not busting to get to 10k but still need a bit of structure! Will wait to hear how you get on xx

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Virginia60]

I will. Well done on your 5k too, that's fab, fair play to you. Keep running 😊