I know there is no one answer to the question about the post graduation continuum but I’m interested in what others do.
I’m trying to run 3 times a week , trying to do it because I want to not because I have to etc BUT
I have realised I need a goal to head for at the moment till my legs become stronger and I can canter off at will (ha ha ha) so I thought I would do 5k as near as I could no matter the time it took with the hope that eventually I would take less time. However today when I finished my legs were like rubber and I did the warm down walk like a sailor on shore - very embarrassing since I’m dressed like a real runner! SO I thought maybe I should stick to 30 mins and see if my distance builds up.
In the way of the world non of this really matters and I realised today that I have become a runner in 4 months and I have done 48 runs, and I’m still doing it.
Happy New Year to you all, an early greeting I know but I’m running towards and it can’t wait to see what it has in store for me
Written by
LookNannyruns
Graduate
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There are far more experienced runners on here than me but I think it's about increasing gradually the time of runs rather than distance while we build our running legs.
Being a newbie is a totally relative state of affairs.
To those starting C25K this week you are a veteran.
To those running cross country 100 mile races, you barely register as a runner at all.
Being aware of your limitations is a strength in my opinion. It is those who underestimate their inexperience who end up injured, so carry on the slow and steady progress and don't feel that you have to do anything to prove yourself as a runner.
Setting some short, medium and long term targets is a good way to maintain the sense of accomplishment that C25K offers on a regular basis. These can be pace, distance or duration based, or maybe event or venue based.
For me, just running in a beautiful new natural environment is enough to satisfy my running urges. Something like this healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Wow what an amazing run through such wonderful landscapes. Once this horrid winter is over I look forward to planning runs like this. I too prefer running alone, I love to just have time to think, look and listen to all that our natural world has to offer. Just for now I think I’ll carry on running locally where I don’t have to drive before I run. Eventually I’d love to cycle/ run it’ll be fun finding some circular routes.
Hi Laurel, I just carried on with 30 minute runs following Graduation, and loved that I could do that. You can monitor how each run feels and learn how to pace yourself as it starts to become easier. New routes, short runs the c25k+ podcasts all keep it fresh.
Happy running...distance will come when you are ready. x
Get exactly how you feel - I graduated in November and have managed to keep running (with few exceptions for heavy snow and work commitments ) 3 times a week but though I've continued running 30 minutes haven't really seen significant improvement in distance covered. However things have changed massively - I now look forward to every run (and am annoyed if I have to change a planned run) - I enjoy the solitude and calm I've managed to carve out for myself and the fact that I can catch up on radio broadcasts I've missed. I feel better in every way and love being outside in a way I'd forgotten in recent years. I'm guessing my fitness and distance covered will improve over time (after all I found running for 1 minute horrific when I started! 😂) and I'm planning on doing some of the C25K + stepping stone podcasts in the new year. Until then I'm happily doing my thing and I'm sure you will find what works for you too.
What you do depends on what you like. Enjoy going fast? Try some shorter fast sessions or fartleks (though if it's icy this might be a better spring addition). Feel like you're just hitting your groove at the end of 30 minutes? Try slowly adding on a couple of minutes to one run a week. Enjoying getting out there for 30 minutes and no interest in more at the moment? It's totally okay. You can mix things up with new routes, different music, running to audiobooks. Or all of the above. One thing that I personally enjoy is races. They keep me running even when weeks feel like a slog, and they give you something to work towards. Happy running, you're doing awesome.
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First post grad run!!! DONE! 
Post Grad Runs - Laura or no Laura?
Just a beginner! 
