Graduated - what Now?

[Gchurchlow]

I graduated today but now I am wondering how I keep up the momentum without the programme to follow. Any hints?

[Hidden]

Join park run and start to get to know other people who run it. That's what keeps me motivated.

[Gchurchlow in reply to Hidden]

Yes that thought had crossed my mind. Are they all great runners though?

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Gchurchlow]

No! Far from it. You'll get every kind of person at parkrun - Dads running with babies in buggies, people running with dogs, youngsters and the 'more experienced', runner/walkers who run and walk the course in 50 minutes, fast youth who run the course in 18 minutes... the beauty of parkrun is that it is a run (not race) in a park. Open to anyone (over 11??) of any ability.

[Hidden in reply to Gchurchlow]

You will find a few ridiculously speedy serious runners. But mostly you will find a spread of people doing it for fun. And you will find some new runners who can't manage to run the whole course and one or two power walkers and last week a couple of wheelchair users. You can check last weeks results for your local one on the website and see how long the slowest person was. Usually it's under an hour but most have someone taking 50+ minutes. There's always a back Walker so you can't come last.

[rolysmate Graduate]

Park run would be a good move, or just run for yourself and consolidate your ability to run for 30 mins or just push out that little bit to 5k assuming you're not already hitting 5k

[Gchurchlow]

I thought about trying to improve my times. Currently 32 minutes for 5k but aiming for 30.

[trevorjl Graduate in reply to Gchurchlow]

Maybe try the 5k+ podcasts to help improve speed and stamina?

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Well done and congratulations! There have been a couple of similar posts over the last couple of days - have a look back for those - plenty of thoughts & ideas. I have just carried on doing week 9 on repeat for the last 3 months! Suits me though and allowed me to build up stamina without any pressure. I'm now adding on 5 mins once a week, hoping to build up time slowly. Good luck!

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Congratulations 👨‍🎓🎉🏃‍♀️👏

[mrrun Graduate]

Yes, start training for 10K, and once that's done go even further

I keep it fresh by changing routes, locations, times and music. No two runs will be the same.

Apart from '10% rule' l haven't used or followed anything else and haven't even thought of Park Runs. Lone runner here

Simply enjoy yourself!

[skysue16 Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation 😀🎉 I think variation is the key. Try the C25k+ podcasts. Try running in different places and different terrain. Try interval runs. Try running with others. Try a race! Remember most important thing is to enjoy your runs 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

What now depends entirely on you.

What do you want to do?

Run faster, further, race, sightseeing.........

Set some short, medium and long term aims for the next year or so.

Parkrun is the real world equivalent of this forum........ welcoming, supportive and great fun.

There is a Health Unlocked Bridge to 10k forum and a Marathon and Race Support forum too.

Consolidation at your 30 mins or 5k for a few weeks is recommended, before you take on anything more demanding.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Keep running, consider parkrun? Think about what you want from your running and set yourself some goals which could be:

Running for 30 minutes 3 times a week

Increasing speed

Increasing to 10k

To name a popular few....

Whatever you do, enjoy it 😎

[Gchurchlow]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. This morning I did a Park Run through the woods in Homewood (Ottershaw). Just short of 34 minutes so not too bad considering how uneven and slippery it was. Gives me a baseline anyway. Here is to more in future.