First postgrad run

[Eiralas]

The last couple of weeks I've watched the newly fledged blackbird chicks in our garden. They sit on the patio, feathers fluffed, wings fluttering, cheeping at mum or dad, as the bedraggled, harassed parent shovels fat pellets and seeds up from the ground at its feet and deposits them into its gaping beak. There is a fledgling at the junction of the lane where I walk to work too- hopping around aimlessly, a little lost, randomly turning over a leaf, and clearly wondering what happened to the food supply.

I kind of felt a bit like that blackbird chick yesterday, on my first postgrad run. I ended up listening to the week 9 podcast all over again as a kind of comfort blanket - I couldn't imagine doing it without Laura and hadn't figured out how to put my own playlist together. Laura's probably thinking 'Bugger off, I've got new chicks to feed, the food's right there at your feet!' (or maybe that's the blackbirds), but I might need to do a little more cheeping and fluttering before I'm fully doing this on my own. Sorry Laura.

[trogdelight Graduate]

I definitely relate. My first post-graduation run today was like jumping out of the nest and nosediving to the floor below. Luckily, i've learnt not to dwell too much on a bad run.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to trogdelight]

Maybe I should have plunged out of the nest rather than dithering about on the edge. The run was fine, much the same as the runs in week 9, just need to convince myself that I don't need to be listening to Laura in order to do them

[trogdelight Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

There seem to be lots of options to do. I think nearly all of them recommend some consolidation runs in different routes. I might try one with a hill (only a very small one).

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to trogdelight]

Yes I'm definitely planning on just doing some more of these 30 min runs before branching out. I'm with you on the small hill - I feel embarrassed to admit it, having grown up in Snowdonia, but I'm a tad scared of trying to run up a hill!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done. I did my first proper one today as well. Love your metaphor.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Well done you! It's a slightly strange feeling doing this as a new regular part of my life rather than doing it because I'm following the plan. How did your run go?

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Scrap that question, I'm going to head over to read your post!

[TailChaser Graduate]

What a lovely analogy! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going back to Laura, you can just slowly wean yourself off but you know she is there, waiting in the nest, if you need her ever again.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks Tailchaser It is very comforting knowing she's there and she is *so* encouraging, bless her

[Ang33333 Graduate]

I've just graduated tonight. I always run with my sister. She can't run now for a week or so , so my first post grad runs will be solo. Aaaargh!!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Congratulations Ang! Well done on graduating Good luck with your solo runs.

[Ang33333 Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Thank you!😁

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It is tough... but rather like week 1... you got out there! 👍😁

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Haha yes you're right- it is a bit like that first step in week 1 all over again. Didn't help that I'd intended to run on Wednesday, but realised I had to collect my prescription after work before the pharmacy closed instead (resulting in an Extremely Brisk Walk across town and up and down hills), then had nights out planned with friends on Thursday and Friday, and then didn't fancy running in the monsoon that was Saturday. Still I got there in the end. Thanks for the encouragement

[18Windmill Graduate]

You did it though. Over the coming weeks we’ll find our paths...will take a while. I’m clinging to Michael for now!!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Yes we will! Good to know I'm not the only one clinging to Laura/Michael/trainer of choice. I can imagine the seasoned runners looking at us going 'ah they're so cute!' Just like I do with the blackbird chicks

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

😂😂 i’m a huge believer in you to what you have to do!!!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

We can encourage each other to fully fledge

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Absolutely hon. We'll fly together!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

I’m sure that Laura loves to have you Eiralas! ❤️

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fabulous

[Razouski]

I so relate to this. When I first graduated I couldn't think about running without Laura and used the Week 9 podcast probably for two weeks while I worked out how to put together a playlist. It was definitely a comfort blanket too, still having her alongside me telling me when to run and when to walk. I gradually weaned myself off and am now much happier running with my own choice of tracks.

I have quite a low boredom threshold so have to change playlists from time to time. Tomorrow I have a new playlist to run to inspired by music in the Shrek Movies. I'll be posting the list along with my run report tomorrow. I've also posted suggestions for a 1960s playlist. It's worth using the search on this forum to get ideas if you're not sure, and Hidden has put several playlists on Spotify too. (I don't have Spotify as hubby subscribes to Deezer).

You'll know when you're ready to run without Laura

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thanks Razouski, that's reassuring. And thanks for the playlist suggestions, I'll have to have a look. I just have my iPod - no Spotify and no smartphone - but I'm sure I'll figure something out. In the meantime, there's Laura

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

Well done Eiralas! Whatever you need to help you is fine I think! At the moment I wouldn’t be able to cope with life without Sarah!

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Thanks Simon! I'm sure Sarah is just as encouraging as Laura

[_SimonT_ Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Why, eye, pet! 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate]

You are so right - I’m still listening to Jo.

[Razouski]

You can make a playlist in iTunes and then transfer it to your iPod.