Hello lovely runners. I graduated C25K exactly two months ago on 7 December, did a couple of Parkruns (the last on 16 December) but then had to stop due to a (totally unrelated) chronic health problem which flared up suddenly. I've been 'lurking' on the forum ever since - feeling sorry for myself and watching my peer group of graduates continuing on their running journeys. While I've been enjoying all your stories and successes, it's been frustrating to say the least. Anyway, at lunchtime today I decided that I would ease myself back into a run. It was cold but brightening up and I decided that, rather than going back to the programme, I'd start off very slowly and steadily, and just keep going until I needed to walk. To my surprise, I haven't forgotten how to run! Just sort of settled into a comfy pace and listened to some great tunes. Admittedly it was a snail's pace, but I ran for 45 mins and 6.5 kms non-stop. Whoohoo! I can't tell you how I've missed it and how good it feels to be back. To celebrate, I'm off to buy myself new bargain shoes and lycra gear I've found in an end-of-season online sale (am I allowed to say which one?) - I know Flick will understand 
x
I'm back: Hello lovely runners. I graduated C25K... - Couch to 5K
I'm back
Welcome back, Angela! That's a damn good time for 6.5k even if you hadn't been ill!! So glad you are back with us 
Hi Mike - it's lovely to hear from you. Sorry for my radio silence recently, but I've been watching everyone's progress and you look as though you're storming towards your 10k.
Hi Angela, good to hear from you too. Yes, 10k is in my target next. I've run 7k twice this week and feeling good
Yay, welcome back Angela, I wondered where you’d disappeared to 😊
Sorry to hear about your heath problem but delighted you’ve not lost your running mojo.......great run but hardly a ‘snails pace’ though 😊🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
On to 10k now? 😊
Hello Ted - it's lovely to hear from you again. Apologies for my radio silence recently , but I've been following your progress and you're positively nailing that 10k!
I think I remember seeing that Ju-Ju had a programme post c25k to 10k, but can't remember where that was now. Anyway, Jan has kindly sent me a really useful link 'what to do after graduating' so I'll check that out, and hopefully see you on the 10k forum soon. Happy running, Ted
Angela x
PS: Like your new profile picture - that's one very nice bike
Thanks Angela, I’ll msg you Ju Ju’s plan later, you’ll nail it I’m sure 😊
Thank you, Ted. That would be great 👍🏻 Never thought I’d be able to reach 10k but inspired by you and all the lovely people on the forum to give it a try x
You’ll be coming in at W3 of 6 after completing your 6K 😊🏃♀️🏃♀️
Well done and brilliant time for someone who hasn't been running for a while (and even for someone who's been running :-)! Hope you'll be able to go out and enjoy some more running.
Thanks, Anthie, that's very kind of you. I was worried that, having not run for nearly two months, I'd have to start again but surprised myself and am just so happy to be back.
That's brilliant! Well done you.
Now make sure you take your rest day (or two) and perhaps alternate longer and shorter distances for a couple of weeks.
Welcome back, good luck and happy running!
Thanks Wizziewood - I've missed all the lovely people here - and thank you for the good advice about rest days/mixing shorter and longer runs. I shall wait a couple of days before heading out again.
I'd not considered moving towards 10k yet, but am so inspired and motivated by people like you who look as though you're nailing it, I'll give myself a little bit more time and then challenge myself to do it.
Happy running x
Well done PashleyPedaller.....and I'm glad you are feeling better and back out running with us... 😊
A great comfy pace run and you have maintained your stamina. I think Wizziewood is right, ease back gently by doing some long and shorter runs for a couple of weeks.
Happy running😊x
There is a new link to what to do after Graduating that you may find of intetest...
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Hello Jan. It's lovely to hear from you and, yes, I'm feeling much better now. I've missed running and all the great people on the forum here. Having not run for nearly two months, I was worried that I'd have to start all over again, but surprised myself. I think riding my bike daily and walking lots helps too. Thank you for sending the link to IT's post giving all that information and advice post-C25K; I shall read and digest it carefully. Now for a couple of days off before heading out again ...
Happy running x
I wondered where you were. You were so much there when I was doing the program. Im very glad you are back. Also, that is a good pace!
Hello Flick - it's lovely to hear from you. Sorry for my radio silence recently, but I've been following your progress on the forum and you're going great guns towards that 10k. Inspired by you, I've just bought myself bright new running tights and top and will be heading out on my next run in style
Happy running, Flick
Angela x
Hi Angela, thank you 😊 im taking an extra rest day before going after the 10k again as the last long run left me a bit tired. Then Im all set!
If you have new running gear, we need to see pics. It’s the law! I resisted when I was browsing in John Lewis and Sweat Shop today, but mostly because my lycra drawer is full.
Happy running to you as well. Great to have you back xx
Thanks, Flick - OK, I promise to post photos of my new gear when it arrives. I used to run wearing black/grey, but this programme seems to have done something to my inner flamboyance.
Good luck with your next long run x
Welcome back.
Be careful building back up again, remember the 10% rule.
Keep running, keep smiling.
Thanks, IT. I'm very glad to be back, but will take your sage advice on board and go gently. To be honest, I was so happy to be out running again after my enforced break that I didn't look at my watch or consider the distance; I just kept running and smiling! I'm taking a couple of days rest for now and then will head out for more measured runs, using the 10% rule, as I want to consolidate on progress so far. C25K is absolutely the best thing I've done for myself and the lovely people here are so inspirational and encouraging. Onwards and upwards!
Angela x
Glad you are back to it again. Your 45mins is great! Ive yet to complete 5k in much less. Enjoy the shopping binge
Thanks, Laurel. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new lycra and trainers. I did enjoy reading your account of your Parkrun experiences - they sound exactly like mine. It's intimidating seeing all the 'Harriers' and 'Athletic Club' T-shirts, isn't it? My worst experience on my first Parkrun was being overtaken by a guy pushing a baby in a buggy 
... Still, I'm going to give it another week or so then I'll be back as the granny in new purple leggings ...
Have fun on your holiday x
Thanks I’m doing my best to enjoy the sun. Looking forward to hearing about purple park run posts 😁
Well done you, now if u want to see a snails pace you should run with me 😂
Thanks, Gary - you're doing great and you'll soon be up there on the graduation podium. A 'big up' (as my kids would say) to snails everywhere
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