Does it ever get easier!

[zog3]

I am really proud to have got do the end of week 8, only 3 runs left to graduate. But still each run is so hard and I only just finish (so far only failed 1 run and re done it). I want to enjoy it again like the early weeks. At the moment I'm running about 3km in 28 mins so still a way to go to 5km and feel so worn out at the end! I just wondered if keep training after graduate does it get easier and more enjoyable?

[Dralimc Graduate]

Errr.... no. In a word. That said, I graduated a couple of weeks ago and have progressed from 3.6-8km in 30 mins to 4km in 30 mins. Still have to fight inner demons, but still feel elated after each run. My husband said yesterday ‘ you’re actually getting quite good at this’, which is all the encouragement I need. 😊

[Ripcurlrana71]

You will get fitter and stronger that will mean it will get easier. If you’re getting exhausted now in your 28min run I’d suggest slowing down to a pace where you finish and feel it was doable.

Also it’s about running 30 mins to graduate not to get to 5k in 30 mins. Push the distance to the back of your mind and set your pace right to do the timed run.

After graduation (May for me) I found by doing the straight runs continuously got easier and for me was enjoyable. 😊

Enjoy your final week - good luck!

[zog3 Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thank you I think 9 minutes a km is quite slow but as you say if go a little slower and get further then maybe that's better. Guess it's all trial and error I just would like to find a way to enjoy it as I love the feeling you get at the end!

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to zog3]

Definetly keep it slow. I didn’t even know my pace during C25k. I’ve now graduated the 10K plan so as long as you keep your pace comfortable right now anything is possible. 😊

[Fernshome]

Mmmm only graduated a week ago and no still finding it all challenging but loving the sense of achievement once done ✅ only incentive I need just now to keep going. We are all different though so you can share next week once you have graduated 😀

[zog3 Graduate]

I will just be proud to graduate I think we can get sucked into expecting this programme to work miracles... If u can run for 30 mins as the end that's the amazing outcome I want! That for me is a miracle not then going onto run 5 or 10k! That can all come in time

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Definitely... the more you run , the stronger you get... and your stamina and strength build up too...

Let the legs just find their happy pace and there comes a time as you move on, when the legs take over, the happy pace kicks in, and you could run for ever

[Jay66UK Graduate]

My experience (graduated very end of May) has been that as I continue to run it gets more enjoyable.

I didn’t go down the path of trying to do 5k within 30 mins but rather extending how long I can run for until I reached 5k.

I did this by doing two 30 minute runs a week and doing a longer run that grew by 10% each week, so 33, 36, 40, 44.

(I managed 3.4k in 30 mins at graduation, so it took me 44 mins to reach 5k.)

With that milestone reached I switched to running two 4ks and a 5k each week, and this meant I slowly got faster.

I did this for a few weeks before I built the confidence to try for 10k, which is what I am working towards.

My most recent 5k was 39 mins, so I’ve cut about 5 mins off my 5k over about 5 runs.

I find I can very comfortably run 4k, quite comfortably run 5k and the short extension beyond that has been easier than I expected so far.

Hope this helps.

[Fernshome in reply to Jay66UK]

I may copy you if that’s alright sounds a logical plan😀

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Fernshome]

Feel free. Let me know how you find it.

[Robert_IS_a_Runner Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

That’s a very helpful post, Jay. I’m going to save this for when I graduate (ETA Friday 3rd August).

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Robert_IS_a_Runner]

Good luck!

[zog3 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Many thanks for this reply, I think u have helped many ppl!

[Fernshome]

Well miracle about to happen to you👍I have no doubt you will graduate 🎓 I will look out for your post!

[JoPo48 Graduate]

Hi zog3. I am in exactly the same I the program as you and feel the same as you. Loving the feeling of achievement after the runs and some bits of each run are great but still really struggling with keeping going. That said, the heat is killing me and I know I will be much better when its cold again! W9R1 tomorrow for me. I'll be thinking of you as I run my route.