I originally wrote most of this as a reply to another post, but it occurred to me that others might have the same self questioning or experiences.
At 47, 6'4 & 18st, (19st when started C25K) I don't think I'll ever get to sub 30 with my knees intact. Even when younger, slim and fit I was 16.5st. My knee surgeon suggested (nicely) that I took up swimming or cycling instead as (Quote) “I was not anatomically built for running” ..... I'm pretty sure that makes me deluded for continuing (an ode to Marvo69 ) but I will continue and be careful as long as I can. Swimming / Cycling can be my backups!
I’ve also discovered that I had a plan “madness” where by after week 6, there were no intervals, and I got through them all, because I was told I had to. I’m quite a binary guy, or to put it another way things are generally black/white for me. I like to have a plan and to feel reasonably in control of what is going on. If the plan says that something needs to be done, then that’s what I’m doing, and I’ll move heaven and earth to meet that task/deadline. Now, I've graduated, I’m in the consolidation ‘wilderness’…… I only have 1 task….. run! Instead of running for 30 minutes, I’ve added time to get to 5K’s. I've had to lower my pace substantially to even consider getting to 5k, and sometimes even with a little 10/15 second walk interval or two (I’m pretty sure this is just be psychosomatic, just because I haven’t been told I can’t have one!). Some of it might be exhaustion from lack of sleep on hot nights!
A friend of mine convinced me to sign up for a 10K in October, on the premise that as long as I can run 7-8k by that time, the crowd and cheering will carry me the rest of the way.... I'll report back nearer the time, but I’ll follow Ju-Ju’s 10k plan as this will allow me to complete the 10k on the day of the race, if not the week before.
My first parkrun is going to be Saturday (tomorrow) with my virtual partner Saartjie , which is 5K, which I know (from Strava) I can do somewhere between 35 & 39 minutes. If the hypothesises are true, I'll come in around 30-35 minutes...
More news on Saturday afternoon (hopefully not from A&E or the cardiac unit!)
Just wondering what other recent graduates have experienced?
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LoungeLizaard
Graduate
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I loved your story LL! You've really shown what you can do with some self-belief and motivation. Amazing weight loss as a result, that is not to be sniffed at, eh! I don't know if you've also find this, but I feel the more weight that comes off, the easier it all gets.
I have no doubt that you'll do the 10K. You are clearly being careful about steadily increasing your distance which will stand you in good stead.
I'll certainly be rooting for you, cheering from the sidelines!!
I do think your story will inspire others and let people see that when you take a sensible approach, it's all possible.
Thanks Sharron. Like almost everyone at the start of C25K (looking down the barrel of 9 weeks) I can't imagine now how i'd be able to run 10k.... but I will follow the plan as best I can and put all my faith in the plan and be ju-ju- 's latest disciple.
Two weeks on hols are around the corner, and I'll run when I'm away, but 'the plan' commences w/c 13th August - eeeeek!
Hi Lounge - I too am feeling a little bit in the wilderness at the moment - I graduated two weeks ago and am trying to consolidate, alternating between 30 minute runs and 5k runs each week - I run Monday, Wednesday and Friday usually (although I did a proper organised 5k on Sunday) and this week I have dreaded each run and have really struggled. I like the idea of something to focus on, and without that I am struggling. I think signing up for a few more 5ks, or even a 10k, giving something to work towards maybe the answer, but the idea of a 10k fills me with dread! I think following a 10k plan is the answer, but I feel like you do - in need of support and consistency!
Doing an organised 5k was a good focus, and my pace was the fastest I have ever done - I ran with a friend who has been running for a couple of years - which really made me proud of myself, but I can't maintain that on my own, nor do I want to really!
I'll keep reading your posts to see what you decide and how you are getting on - other people's stories are always inspirational and helpful - and obviously I will keep running...I guess that's a kind of plan??
Hey Dizzy - (I'm Mitch)…. Yes, I like structure.... going away for two weeks and will pick up Ju Ju's plan when I get back..... Keep up the good work!! We are all here for each other! x
Thanks Mitch, (I'm Louise!) - you are so right. Have a lovely break and all the best with the 10k plan. Think I might look into that when I am back from holiday at the end of August. x
Great post Mitch! I think many of us feel lost and in the wilderness after graduating. The structure of C25k is soooo good you can’t really go wrong as long as you follow it to the letter.
Then .....nothing! 🤐 You find yourself muddling though wondering what to do 5k’s? Intervals? Podcasts? Fartleks? So many options. For me after being comfortable with running 5k a few times moved on to the 10K plan.
It is so doable. Very well laid out. A huge success rate of 10K grads between 5-8 weeks. You can definetly do it. But know what? You also don’t have to. You’re a runner now and can do whatever you want. You are so very capable.
Ok nobody else has asked but I just have to - what are fartleks??? It does not sound like something you want to do out in public. Am I missing something here? 🤣
Of course, I should have googled! Thanks for the link, all clear now, what a name though. I might give fartleking a go, just so as to be able to chuckle at the word 😄
You’re doing great, Mitch! 😃 The wilderness is a weird place isn’t it. I’ve been consolidating with C25k+ podcasts / 2 Parkruns / experiments with step rate. Hoping to start Juju’s 10k plan tomorrow, and quite excited (though a bit of a dodgy back/ hip today, so there maybe a slight delay if things don’t settle...) ❤️😎
Hello I am also in this limbo.... post graduation I have had three naked runs and really enjoyed them but with no stats to check or report ???? Trying to pluck up the courage to do local park run tomorrow I don’t think I can do 10k yet feel I need to get better first just unsure what that entails?
Well I would say just do it. If you have a sports watch or smart phone you can use an app to records your own stats on any run.
To get “official” Parkrun time you need a barcode. If you create an account tonight you should be able to get a barcode (I think).
But even if not, they are free and you don’t need a badge or bar code - you can just turn up and run! It’s about taking part, not how fast you can do it!
There are a couple of us doing a PR for the first time tomorrow - come an join us virtually!
Hello I did it! first park run Dunfermline 36.15 mins it was gorgeous .....unfortunately it has a big hill which felt like a mountain and you were expected to run up it 3 times 😛managed first time...half way second and walked third attempt Everyone was so nice and supportive going back next week to see if I can improve Thank you for shove yesterday just what I needed😀
Graduated first week of June with plans to run 3 times a week to build up to 5k by now...
Life gets in the way. A levels support, mum in hospital and finishing her chemo, went on holiday, and the dreadful heat! Have run at least twice a week but not got over the 30 mins and about 3.2k. Am not fast! I run with my sister so we have often struggled to find a day we can both run. I did a few on my own. This week we are back on track. Two 4k runs comfortably completed. And now it's getting hot again.... Still aiming for 5k in the next two weeks.
We are planning a park run early Sept before my sister is 50....
I'm also still a bit in limbo. I've pushed on to 5k distance at 41 mins. That feels as long a time as I can realistically fit in 3 times a week when you add on warm up / cool down and stretching. I'm thinking of working on speed and trying to get my 5k time down to 30 mins or ignoring distance and running for 45mins. There's a closed road 5mile race near home in mid August but it just seems like too long a distance to jump to in such a short time. I'll be ready for it next year though!
Sounds like you’re making great progress. I think you might be right about the 5 mile, probably a bit early for that.... the admins and mentors advise sticking around 5k for a while and either increasing distance slowly or working on pace, so you’re doing the right things.
Good luck partner...you're doing brilliantly in the wilderness! Am starting to think about joining you on the 10k trail but still sounds a bit scary! See how today goes...See you on the other side 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Well done you! Mine was very similar - 37.17 and I had a wee walk in the middle too (why do they have a hill after 3k?! First park run and first 5k so very happy. I was 2nd in my age group but I looked - there were only 3 of us 😂
I too felt a bit at sea with no plan so I made my own for the first few weeks
Just to run at least 3 times a week for at least 30 mins.... well i ended up doing a 40 min 5k!!!!!!! then the next two were with my daughter and either first me then her feeling rough we only did 2k each time before heading home , then 3 more 5ks and then an accidental 7k ( naughty I know but I just felt like running) and then I decided to start jujus plan. I’d managed to achieve a 10k not long before I injured myself.
Whereas my young daughter who was much faster than me and I always felt as though I was holding her back on our runs together, has done 7 runs since we graduated 25 May and none since july 1st and cdn’t motivate herself to go out.
And there’s me desparate to get back out there!!!!
I think the majnthjnb is to decide what YOU want out of it, be it to go faster , longer or just to run at least 3 times a week and then make your own plan. I entered some Virtual Races too for fun and had just signed up ready to do the Park Run the folowing Saturday when I broke myself
I'm with you, Mitch!! Took me a while to get used to being off the leash so I set myself targets for each of the three runs; different lengths, different speeds, some C25K+ podcasts. Just messing around until I found a rhythm that worked for me. I think I've got a "groove" again now and it works pretty well with ju-ju's plan, so all looking good so far.
At the moment it's a short speed/interval session, a 5K "pace" run (one-third slow, one-third faster, one third slow) and the "long" run at the weekend. That stops me being bored and gives my a real aim for each run rather than just "running around" for a bit.
Cheers mate - I’ll be around on the forum bleating about having to be by a pool all day!! Lol and I’ll be posting my runs (in whatever format they take) on Strava!
Hey LoungeLizaard! I agree about consolidation wilderness. I didn’t decide to follow the 10k plan and it’s a good job, as my best distance so far since I started tracking post Grad has been 3.96k 🙃. I’m very glad that I didn’t do any tracking during the programme and decided the only challenge was to run. I am so very grateful for the ability to do it. 😉
So, post grad, I had hoped the distance away from 5k would be smaller, as I have felt so good, but sadly, no. So, I’ve had to dig deep for the flexibility muscle that I’ve used to get me through the programme and ask myself what the distance means and does it mean enough to push beyond it just being for fun. And, you know what, honestly for me, it doesn’t. The longer runs are enjoyable and I can do it. 🏃🏾♀️
I have started to ache a bit and I’ve not missed one day of intended runs. A bit like you, once I decide on the mission, it’s on! So, today I’ve been contemplating my mission and that’s still to feel Fabulous450 when the time comes. I’ve got a whole year to continue getting fitter and feeling great on that big birthday. I want to continue without losing my focus on the joy of running and decided that I’m going to do a plan through the app I’m using. They include short recovery runs, (around 1.5k) speed runs and general fitness exercises. That way I’m building up my stamina and strength, not risking any injury and I’m taking care of myself properly. That’s honouring my 49 years on this earth and still being here to experience new things. My way! 😁
I started this expecting to be a runner in about a year. I’ve completely amazed myself and I still want to be a runner in a year. So, I’m going to continue and I’ll do whatever distance comes naturally along the way.
I hope that all of your plans lead to your own personal goals too! Big hug! ❤️
Cheers Fab - another example of everyone has a story and / or mission. They are very realistic goals and you’ve (we all have) come so far in such a short period of time. For me, atm, 10K is the goal, I don’t think I have it in me for more (but that could be me paying homeage to my tender 47 years lol)
We’ll all be here together, helping, supporting and sometime with a bit of banter! ❤️
I was in a complete wilderness for two months, I am still in it, but groping towards exiting it and finding some plan to keep me focussed and find a new goal with running. Glad I am not alone...
Thanks! Yes, absolutely, and then we can ask each other: “ did you just fartlek?” in a slightly outraged tone of voice. Yes I did, I fartleked for 20 minutes, I feel really relaxed now 🤣
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C25K Consolidation done! 🥳
Parkrun #9 - Latest Target Reached! 🎯🤸♀️🎉
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