First Post Grad run - choices, choices!!

[F1ipperation]

Did first post grad 🏃‍♂️ today after reading lots of advice on the first couple of weeks consolidating. I decided to use a popular podcast based around “beats per minute”, aiming to increase pace, with Strava running in the background. The opening walk was fine but I couldn’t step in time to the first 150 bmp - the problem being it didn’t suit my natural running rhythm. I tried hard for several minutes and tried lengthening my stride to keep to the beat. All of a sudden I felt a niggle in a knee, so I decided to abandon the podcast and just aim at 5K using Strava as my guide.

The niggle subsided after about 5 mins and I finished the run in 32 mins, which I will now repeat for the next few runs.

Thought I’d share the experience as there is so much choice after graduation. I’m sure the podcast will work for others but it wasn’t for me.

Very enjoyable run in the end, though and feeling great 😀😀💪🏻🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ Keep running 🏃‍♂️ 👍👌

[Ripcurlrana71]

Took me a little while to get into the 1,2,3,4 strides too. Felt like a baby giraffe taking its first steps! 😬

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Love it - did you finish the podcast?

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to F1ipperation]

Yes I did. The speed intervals were challenging but good ‘fun’. My knee was sore after so haven’t repeated it again! 😊

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Interesting .....😉looks like you are doing amazingly 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀🤸‍♀️

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to F1ipperation]

Thanks. Yeah - put a ✅ next to that podcast and moved onto 10K! 😂😬😊

[Hidden]

That’s really helpful- i’m due to graduate soon - 2 more runs & not sure what to do next. I think i’d be the same with that - i like to run to my own beat!

[Hidden]

PS - i’m glad your knee held out!

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks- yes it’s fine- I think it’s very important to listen to what your body is telling you 😉💪🏻😀👌

[DeeRunning Graduate]

That is such a lovely photo F1ipperation . So nice to see your smiling face

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've got my plan for the next 3 weeks - consolidate 3 x 30 mins a week and try to improve my distance in the 30 mins... then? Not so sure.

Well done on your run and for listening to your body, as you mentioned above it's so important to do that while trying to improve. Happy running to you

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

Thanks DeeRunning ! For a couple of minutes during the run I thought disaster had struck 😮😮 All OK 👌 though 😉😀🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

My plan now is to repeat the same run for as long as it takes to get down to 30mins (only 2mins to shave off) - could be several weeks - and then gradually increase the distance. The route I’m doing is the first part of my target route, which is 7.2K total circular (including the warm up and cool down 5mins), which takes in a 400ft hill. I’m getting about 1/3 of the hill in before I turn back at the moment. If I can get to the target I’m happy with that 3 times a week 😀🏃‍♂️👌 .....unless............! 😀 Happy running to you too 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ it’s also always good to see your smiling face 😉😀😀

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done. Great to read what everyone else is doing after graduation.

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay !! Yes it’s great to hear what everyone else is doing after 👨‍🎓👩‍🎓 you’ll soon be there. The time goes by so quickly 😀😀 Slow and Steady!! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️