Preparing Myself...

[vlmiller1225]

For graduation that is!!! Week 9 Starts today and I hope to be graduated by Saturday!!

So.. I'm looking on past graduation..and trying to figure out my plan! I NEED structure... without structure and goals I won't do this!

Currently I'm at a very very slow pace of about 13.5 mins per mile (If google is right this would be 7.1/km)... So i can reach about 2 miles or 3.2 km (give or take a few) according to map my run app.

My question... should I work up to 5km first or focus on speeding up? Or is it just preference? I was looking at the 10k plan... but I think I should probably master the 5k first! Or does anyone have suggestions on something else to do? (I don't have access to the zombie app here in the U.S. and i'm too paranoid to even attempt it even if I did have access!)

Last question.. I know I need consolidation runs before starting any new program. How long do I need to do these??

Lots and lots of questions!! But I want to make sure I continue doing this!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Consolidation of the 30 minute runs for at least a couple of weeks. Different routes and distances.. then maybe the C25K+ podcasts which really improve the discipline in our running and may help with speed and distance too... they are challenging!

By the way... your speed is not slow, at all. My happy pace is 7 to 7.30 per K....I do not think I am slow... and at that I feel like I can run for ever... Why do you want to speed up? I am just curious

The 10K plan is best started a few weeks after the Graduation form C25K.. this programme has only just started the building up process of running muscles and stamina and strength, so a few weeks of working on the different skills is advisable to avoid injury

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I will do the consolidation for sure! I don't want to risk injury!!

As far as improving speed.. I MUST have a goal of some sort. Haha! It feels slow to me but then again i dont really know... but I'm a competitive person and I foresee myself entering 5k races with the intent of running them for speed. (Not anywhere in the near future)... ha! I'm also pretty young (25) so know that it is definitely attainable to speed my pace up!

Basically, I know how my mind works and I know I need something to work towards.. a goal of some sort! So I wanted to get some ideas! Nothing really more than that!

Thank you for the help. I will definitely check out those podcasts and am already on the Bridge to 10k program page just to look around and get an idea of what that might look like!

Also there is Christmas coming up soon... and I will need some motivation to run during that "down time" that i'm off work (I work at a University and we get 2 weeks off)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to vlmiller1225]

Okay fine! I can totally get that.. I was really speedy once too and loved it... Ran for my County and my University! Old snail now!

You are a mere youngster Sigh!!!!

Check out your consolidation runs after graduation... intervals and strides are fun too and the podcasts.. are not as simple as they appear.

Many of us use them on their own, or within other runs. I love Speed and Stamina for example... I use Speed, if I am short of time or for a burst within a longer run..and Stamina is great in a longer run too. I once di 3K in 18 minutes using Speed... that was over a year ago though.. ! I had a tailwind too

You are going to have fun for sure.. and on Bridge to 10K, there are so many of us there to give you great advice.. and many speedier.. and younger than me

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I cant wait to see where my running takes me!! This is just the beginning!! Thank You for the help!!