Graduated but feeling deflated 😟: Did anyone... - Couch to 5K

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Graduated but feeling deflated 😟

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduate
β€’34 Replies

Did anyone else feel like me?

Second run since graduating and it was really hard!! Felt like I was running through treacle 😟 never felt like this before!!

Always felt charged and ready for next challenge!! I just want to enjoy again πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ Any advice?

Even changed my route so it’s not so hard going 😟 I’m feeling very sorry for myself, don’t want to get out of running just when I can do it😡

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ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMai
Graduate
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34 Replies
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WalkingWithLabradors profile image
WalkingWithLabradorsGraduate

I haven’t done my graduation run yet and I think part of it is that ...well...I’ve enjoyed this soooo much and feel sooo healthy I’m going to miss the talk throughs. We need a 10K App.

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toWalkingWithLabradors

I think that too! I love the way it’s changed my body and mind πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toWalkingWithLabradors

ju-ju- s plan is right here.. but after graduation you need consolidation and lots of different routes and challenges first :)

Mcdon profile image
McdonGraduateβ€’ in reply toWalkingWithLabradors

That’s what I wanted but none on here which I would have loved ju ju bridge to 10k is the next best thing. No app just a programme tells you what distance to do with your own music it’s really good

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toMcdon

Thanks I will try it. Going to do a few weeks consolidating I think πŸ€” back to slow and steady!

Mcdon profile image
McdonGraduateβ€’ in reply toElizaMai

Yes I consolidated for about 3 weeks

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toMcdon

πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ That’s what I need to do πŸ€” I’m always in a rush to get to next hurdle!!!! Going to try and enjoy the view 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Different routes,, short and long... consolidation of the 30 minutes... then try the C25K + podcasts.. challenging and fun... then take a look here:)

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thank you. When you say short and long consolidation do you mean shorter runs sometimes. I do feel very slow still πŸ™„ x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Yes..do some really short and try to ease up the pace a tad..then some.... just see where you get to before you get tired runs...make sure you are not too tired to walk back πŸ˜‰

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

Ha, ha thank you I will give it a try πŸ€”

Baybeebug profile image
BaybeebugGraduate

I changed the treadmill with a different view and bizarrely my runs have become easier! I also did 40 mins run and didn't have to drop speed I actually increased my speed slightly. I'm not sure what I've done but it's like now I don't have the pressure of the app I can do more.

I know this doesn't help you but today I just ran I didn't worry about time or distance and I didn't have the major arguements in my head about carrying on!

Hope you find the way that's best for you.

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toBaybeebug

Well done you πŸ€— I actually thought that would happen to me once I’d completed app!! Very disappointed it hasn’t YET πŸ™„ fingers crossed 🀞 something will click with me soon x

Baybeebug profile image
BaybeebugGraduateβ€’ in reply toElizaMai

Are you still using the app or just runni g?

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toBaybeebug

The other day I used the 5k+ podcast to try and increase my speed but went back to the app today! Might just try music next time and forget about time/ distance and pace. Maybe I’m expecting to much to soon xπŸ€”

Baybeebug profile image
BaybeebugGraduateβ€’ in reply toElizaMai

The first one I did I changed the person talking me through. Then today did my walk and then just ran to my music I think because I wasn't focused on time I wasn't thinking only x more minutes so I just kept going to the end of songs and then the next one got me started again till the end of the that song! I had to actually stop myself as i had to be somewhere!

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toBaybeebug

Ha, ha brilliant πŸ‘

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

We are in exactly the same position. I switched to Michael Johnson today, and a different route, (great with a very strong wind nearly all the way.!!!!!)

I just don't want an excuse to do less than 30 minutes, even though I have no real urge to go for longer.

I tell myself it's still very new, and the habit is not yet formed.

We have done it, and will continue to do it:)

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toJell6

Thank you 😊 it helps to know it’s not just me!! Just wanted it to be over today 😟 and I’m sure I ran for 30 hours not minutes πŸ€ͺ he, he x

You are quite right! It is early days and YES WE DID IT!! πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ And we will keep going because we know it’s possible 😁 keep smiling, Good luck πŸ˜‰ xx

WalkingWithLabradors profile image
WalkingWithLabradorsGraduateβ€’ in reply toJell6

So sorry to hear about your wind problems Jell6 πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‚

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduateβ€’ in reply toWalkingWithLabradors

🀣🀣🀣🀣yep, just read that back!!

You try to encourage and support someone......lol

WalkingWithLabradors profile image
WalkingWithLabradorsGraduateβ€’ in reply toJell6

πŸ˜‚

CarolineKC profile image
CarolineKCGraduate

I did the same yesterday - I think it is just more gremlins to be squished. It feels so good to have the structure of the programme and to graduate and then the message is to consolidate - rinse and repeat for a while and continue to build the running legs and reinforce the habit - which feels a bit like being stuck with no obvious progress (although running 3 times a week week for 30 minutes is objectively huge progress compared to the couch!) I am sticking with Laura and repeating week nine runs for a bit and not mapping my run or worrying about pace and distance - but yesterday I was feeling a bit stressed and headed out for a run to clear my head - that's new!

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toCarolineKC

Yes that’s what I need to do !! Thank you.

OlderThanDirt profile image
OlderThanDirtGraduate

Hi, I graduated I think 4 weeks ago? , I’ve been focusing on running three , 5ks a week ( one is usually a park run) this week I’ve increased that to 6k, I’ll do that for a few weeks then start ju-ju’s 10k plan ( can’t start right now as family holiday is looming in May )

What I wanted to add was I got a bit bored of music and have started using podcasts. I have found trying to concentrate on conversations or interviews takes my mind off what I’m doing and the runs seem to go by quicker ( if not In actual time 🐌 )

I have an iPhone and there’s an app and there’s literally thousands with a range of topics

Congratulations on graduating. Keep running. πŸƒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈπŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toOlderThanDirt

Thank you and well done πŸ‘ seen the pods and will try as soon as I have consolidated πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ Any recommendations welcome πŸ˜‰

OlderThanDirt profile image
OlderThanDirtGraduate

I like sport and comedians so I have a football and cricket one I listen to ( im a boy!..it’s required by law πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ) radio 4 have loads of comedians or if you have a favourite just search their name , most mainstream tv ones have one or are on one. Desert island discs ( I sound like my Nan now😞) have a range of celebrities like Stephen fry and musicians talking about their lives and favourite songs and as a desperate attempt to appear trendy to my children I have radio 1 podcasts where they play modern *cough* music 😩

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toOlderThanDirt

Ha, ha thank you 😊 Radio 2 is for me ( never thought I’d say thatπŸ˜‰) !!! Will have a search πŸ‘

ClareO65 profile image
ClareO65Graduate

My first 2 post grad runs have been 30 mins but slower. The first one I enjoyed as I deliberately slowed down. Thought I might run past the 30 mins but lungs said no. The next one felt like a slog and it turned out to be a bit quicker. I’m going to try and keep to 3 runs a week of 30 mins but have decided if one of these is shorter then so be it. I have a feeling I’ll probably push to 30 mins. I’m hoping to do a 5K soon. I have to keep telling myself there is no rush. Better to keep running than over do it, become fed up and stop. Maybe stop measuring your runs so much or decide when you set of it will be a slow/ shorter run. You may surprise yourself.

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toClareO65

Thank you 😊 I know I put to much pressure on myself! Want to be faster ( not so much of a snail 🐌) but like you say at least I’m still going πŸ˜‰

I have decided to not measure or time myself for now just enjoy the run πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ ( which is the main thing right 😁)

I will wait for my surprise with πŸ€žπŸ˜‰πŸ˜Š

ClareO65 profile image
ClareO65Graduateβ€’ in reply toElizaMai

I am no different! I am not fast and keep looking at others times and thinking how slow I am. We must remember we are still novices. I’m really trying not to worry too much about times! I’d love to get to do 10k one day.

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toClareO65

Absolutely! Slow and steady πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ Think my problem comes from my husband who started running at the same time. He graduated 3weeks before me ( and does 5k in 28mins) I can run for 30mins but can’t complete 5k in that time πŸ˜…!!

My husband is tall (with very long legs ) which gives him a distinct advantage against my VERY SHORT LEGS ha, ha 🀣 and I need to stop βœ‹ comparing !!!! ( or trip him up πŸ˜†πŸ˜†!!)

I want to do 10k too!! But at the moment I am going to try and enjoy my running πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ just for ME πŸ‘

ClareO65 profile image
ClareO65Graduateβ€’ in reply toElizaMai

Ha! I started out wanting to be able to run with husband but he also does 5K under 30 minutes and I’m not even close. But you are right- they have longer legs etc. He is just pleased I am doing it 😊

ElizaMai profile image
ElizaMaiGraduateβ€’ in reply toClareO65

Exactly πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ Keep going 😁

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