Penultimate Post Grad run

[AlMorr]

This morning I ran my 5th and penultimate post graduation run, lovely sunny morning and the earliest I have ran to avoid the warm weather later in the day. I set out at 10 past 7 for the 30-minute run. At 15 minutes into the run I did a U-turn so that I would be back at the start which is about 8 minutes from my home. Interesting at the 15 minute part, compared to R2W9 on the exact same route I was two minutes quicker getting to that bit, so that possibly means my natural pace is getting better. Once I complete the 6th post grad run on Saturday I'll go by the 10% rule and run for 33 minutes next week, perhaps then I might be able to run a full 5k in that time, if not the following week in 36 minutes.

[mountaindreamer Graduate]

Well done on still getting out / making plans and staying motivated! I’m just entering the nervous “postgrad” phase, and also hope to move to the 10K plan after a few weeks consolidation. I’ve enjoyed the structure of C25k, and am already nervous without that... ❤️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️😎

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

You never need to be nervous regarding any runs but I was nervous before THAT W5R3 20 minute run and a little nervous before R3W9, apart from those two I just take the runs as they come and of course so should you and everyone else.

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I’m more nervous about whether I will feel motivated enough to keep it up without the structure of a plan, rather than about the runs themselves. I’m already realising how much easier clicking on an app to guide you for each run was. I’d like to do Juju’s 10K plan for the support and company, but have downloaded a 5 to 10K phone app too, in case I decide that’s really the simplest way to just get me out of the door and running...

[theoldfellow in reply to mountaindreamer]

I'm with you on the 'structure'. Today I just ran the W9R3 plan, like I did on Monday, but without the app. Somehow I am missing those little words on encouragement. Finished it, in about the same time, but not feeling quite so satisfied.

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to theoldfellow]

I’d wondered about just constantly re-running W9R3 on the app too, but had thought it would wear a bit thin after awhile. It sounds like we both need to get those 3 C25k+ podcasts downloaded next. 😊❤️

[Hidden in reply to mountaindreamer]

Hey there! I just thought I'd add something here, as I've been in your shoes recently, but found the C25K+ podcasts filled the gap. I am now doing the Magic 10, but still use the podcasts during those too - I just increase the distance at the end if need-be. Yesterday, I did Speed during my 4K and once I've completed the intervals I still have 1/1.5K to go, and had the choice to re-do the intervals or just switch to my own music and run at my own pace. It was hot, so the latter won out! So, you don't have to feel abandoned just yet. In fact my favourite post-grad podcast was the Stepping Stones one - give that a go next time out and see what I mean. You can do each one on all 3 runs in turn, or you can turn them into a mini programme, Speed, Stepping Stones then Stamina. They really are all good and teach you loads about pace/cadence.

Whatever you end up doing, I wish you all the very best!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Sutsha - sounds like I need to get those podcasts downloaded. I’d heard bad things about the music choices, but guess I can endure it for 30mins! It’s twiddling around with starting or programming running apps that I also find a bit off putting at the moment, which I’ll need to do if I’m going to up my distances later on. I guess I’ll soon get used to it. Laura timing me and a running app running silently in the background seemed so much simpler. Having a robotic voice telling me time / distance / pace seems so much less friendly. 😖😊❤️

[Hidden in reply to mountaindreamer]

I totally get all this. The music choices aren't great, but there's a lot more talking that you'll be used to in your final weeks as you'll now start working on technique and with the Speed one the intervals are 6 x 1 minute so there's a constant feed. There's a lot of "1,2,3,4" as you're taught how to run to the BPM of the music as well and that's throughout them all. It's a very good lesson to learn.

I had my first free run recently when I had no podcasts, just Strava announcements and my own music and it was fabulous. I still went back to Speed thereafter, but I now have the freedom to decide whether to run for running sake or work on technique/pace - it's great!