What to do after graduation?

[Red35]

Hi everyone

I am at the end of week 8 of couch to 5k. I have never been a runner before and I am really loving it! I feel the structure of the programme and the progression has kept me motivated all the way through but I have failed at various fitness hobbies so many times as I find maintaining a routine difficult if there’s no structure anymore.

Can anyone recommend a new app or anything for after couch to 5k? My pace is very slow, so maybe I should aim to improve this? Or aim to run further?

Any suggestions welcome 😊

[AgingMetalHead Graduate]

I'm on week 8 and feel the same. The app structure (and posting screen shots to Instagram!!) has been helpful.

But I'm determined to use my apps (Strava or Map my Run or one of the others I am trying) to log my 30 minute runs each week. Hopefully keeping a record and seeing my improvement (either in distance covered or time ran) will be good enough motivation for me.

[Red35 Graduate in reply to AgingMetalHead]

Thanks AgingMetalHead, I just use my Fitbit along with the couch to 5k app but I will google the apps you mentioned in your post as I don’t know about these ones...

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Keep running! Get into a habit of getting out three times a week and consolidate for a while. It takes about a year to build proper running legs so don't be in too big a rush for speed/distance. If you want structure then you could do the programme again but running faster on the "run" bits and slower on the "walk" bits.

Or just run free and for the pure joy of being able to and then you can decide what you want to do next. Enjoy!

[Red35 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irish princess. I like your idea of redoing the programme but increasing the speed as per the run / walk- this is a good idea 👍🏻

[WANTTORUN in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks, thats a great idea to re run the programme at different running speeds instead of walk run. I graduated a while back and now run 5k every other day, but am so slow. Ive chosen speed as my next challenge

Well done to all runners out there, this programme is amazing and this forum so supportive x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This post was written to answer your question healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Red35 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks IannodaTruffe this looks amazing. There is so much I could choose from 👍🏻

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

You could try the C25K + podcasts which are designed to help develop pace and stamina - they were helpful at providing some structure for me post graduation and helped to even out my pace.

I think after graduation the trick is to make sure you run 3x a week - and mix it up to keep yourself interested by varying distance, locations, surfaces even what you listen to. That way you won't get bored and you'll find put ehat you really like to do. Almost a year on I can say there's nothing like a steady 10 along a countryside path (listening to a great radio play) or 20 minutes of intervals to drive off the stresses of work. Find out what you like and why and you'll keep doing it. Good luck with Wk 9!