So I’m just back from my last run of week 9 and goodness it was hard. It’s the slowest of my 3 runs in week 9 and I just don’t know why. I know I should be buzzing and I kinda am but will this ever get easier and will I find my elusive running legs ?
Also what do I do next ? I definitely need to run to a programme as I need to be accountable but currently the thought of running any further seems impossible.
Help! Ps sorry for the long post
a) Congratulations.. well done...
b) Slow is fine
c)Slower is even better... as your stamina builds up and your core strength... you carry on building up, alongside those newly found running legs
d) Consolidation follows.... lots of 30 minute runs.. different routes and distances.. long and slow and maybe a few shorter too )
Then.. C25K +podcasts can be the next step.. lots of fun but challenging... and then who knows..but, lots of advice, as and when you need it
Thank you so much for the help. Will definitely keep the 30 min runs going and try to build on my running legs!
Massive congratulations Hegg100 and glad you raised the issue of what next. Thanks Oldfloss, I have been wondering how I go forward after graduation and ‘d’ has answered my questions. My son has offered his company and moral support for my first park run but think I need to consolidate my C25k first. Looking forward to ringing the changes with time, routes and distance!
Well done you 😊 it doesn’t matter if you felt it was a bit slow you did it! Fantastic!
What Flossy said, worked for me!
Well done on getting to the end!! You've finished the programme and can run for 30 mins, which is fabulous and amazing! Allow yourself to feel the wonder of having done that, it's a really great achievement. Your running legs will come with consolidation and how long that will take is different for all of us.
For me, it took a couple of months and I felt exactly like you did. In retrospect I can see that 2 months of running 30 mins every other day has done me the world of good, strengthened my legs and lungs and toned me up and hopefully made me into a runner. It is now easier, I've learnt to cope, to breathe and critically, I learnt to enjoy it. But I didn't necessarily feel the benefit at the time. But I felt I'd given so much and got too far to give up. Now that I feel capable, I'm starting the 10k plan that Juju's organising on Bridge to 10K. I believe she does them regularly so may be something to aim for, if you feel like it.
Good luck - you've come so far and you will get to an easier place, with time.
I’m sooo glad it’s not just me! I think I’ve been so obsessed with getting through it I’ve forgotten to enjoy it. I need to remember why I wanted to start running and just keep on going !
Congratulations on finishing the program. I managed to do wk9r3 tonight also and like you found it quite a hard one to do, more a chore than a pleasure. But I view it as just another bit of training for the legs, I think it will take a few months more for my legs to get to the point of liking running.. but I am determined to get there, here's hoping you are too
It’s so nice to hear others have found it challenging. I just need to accept this isn’t the end and as you say the next step in my training !
Long post? Ohhh... I ramble much longer. Longer than I run for, in fact!
There's no "should" - if you're not buzzing, you're not buzzing. Some runs will just be a bit "meh" - sometimes there's a reason (dehydrated? tired? emotional? bad weather?), sometimes there doesn't seem to be - but as someone wise said on here, the only reason you had a "meh" run is because you Went For A Run and that is great. And I can't emphasise enough that slow slow slow is not only fine, but more efficient at building your running body (did you see the post by IannodaTruffe on that subject? ) . You're building those running legs, you don't have to search for them. They'll materialise as you consolidate your running. Listen to Oldfloss regarding what to do next, and regarding being slow and steady, on that note!
You can get your accountability here, if you want - post that you're going to run, and then run... or try a running app, or set a reminder in your calendar or something.
Oh and this might help the buzz - ask for your graduate badge here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Congratulations, grad!
Fantastic and well done on your graduation run you should be very proud 👏🍾🥇
I repeated this run a few times as consolidation runs and gradually am increasing my distance, adding hills/inclines and basically just being out and running. It's great, enjoy 😊
🍾🎉🎉🎉🥂🏆🏅
Fantastic, you completed Week 9 and even if the run was eventful you still nailed it.
When I graduated I carried on using the Week 9 podcast for several weeks until I felt comfortable that I could wean myself of Laura and run without her encouragement. I took Oldfloss ‘s advice trying different routes and also used the C25k plus podcasts before deciding to put together my own playlist to run too.
And of course you must still come back in thefirum to share your highs and lows.
Happy running. 🏃🏽♀️
Ha ha you post did make me smile.
Thank you for your help
I definitely need to read the post by IannodaTruffe. I guess I got a bit too excited by my initial progress and am expecting too much. Slow and steady from here on 😁
Well done for completing the programme and being a graduate x
Why so hard?
Hooray \"Officially a runner\" but if so why do I find it so hard!!
Why so hard?
Why so hard today?
W6R1 why was that so hard?!
