Ok so I graduated on July 2nd and actually enjoyed the plan ! I then ran steadily 3 times a week for the next 2 weeks for 30 mins and managed 3 miles , gradually upping my pace ... however on my last 4 runs now , I have either failed to reached the 30 mins or have had to stop numerous occasions 😮 today I only managed 2.5 miles , again stopped twice and last week only 2.8 miles ??? Pace is the same , I’ve been following the stepping stone 5k plus , but it actually feels like a chore right now , and worried I need to restart the plan at week 7/8 maybe ??
Really wanted to push for 10k after I graduated...
Anyone else gone through this ??
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Rachells71
Graduate
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Graduated July 2 so started late April-ish? Four months of running three times a week. Maybe you just need a rest. I'm told even elite athletes take a week off running a couple of times a year. Give yourself permission to take several days off (probably a week, not more) and you might be surprised at how much better you run after that. A word of warning though, when I took a week off (not wholly by choice in my case, I felt I was in danger of injuring myself by pushing too hard) physically it helped a lot - but mentally it was hard to make myself go back out when the week was up, so be ready for that. Ten minutes into the first run back it was fine though.
I’ve not seen stepping stones... but there are other plans out there and you just gotta find the one that suits you.
I plan on taking on 10k accidentally as I’ll be going for 5k race plans and they’ll take me to 10 miles on recovery runs... some 10k plans I’ve seen are just a progression in distance, and they wouldn’t do it for me... others have short fast sessions, long and slow, and plenty of easy but doing it recovery runs.
If you still have 30 minutes, none of the C25K runs give you anything but consolidation. Maybe you’re missing the structure of C25K and the alerts?
I’ve just graduated and plan to do 3 x 30 mins runs this next week then move onto either adding on two mins each week for three runs carrying on the C25k style plan adding 2 mins every week after that or I may even try following the 10K programme.
Stop upping your pace. Slow right down and start upping your time. Aim for 33 or 35 minutes to start with, then extend time again from there. Your pace will improve naturally if you increase your distance - you can't just 'go faster' - it doesn’t work. That's my experience anyway! Good luck!
I'm exactly the same. I think it's the lack of a progressive plan.
I've done quite a bit of stopping and walking for a bit or turning round and cutting a run short. But I've realised I'm OK with that, I'm doing this for myself and there's no pressure to do anything that's a chore or not enjoyable.
Like someone said earlier I left it about 11 days at one point and this seems to given me my mojo back 😊 I've committed to doing a Parkrun in a couple of weeks and that's spurred me on as I'd like to be able to finish under my own steam 😉
I’m in a similar situation, feeling like I’m in limbo since graduating on August 10th. I’ve done a couple of 4K runs and some 30 minute ones (still can’t quite get 4K in 30 minutes!), but I’m treading water currently and would love some structure (a new app would be lovely!) 🏃♀️
I’ve decided to ignore my times (which’ll be hard ....) and continue with 2 x 4K runs and work towards a 5K one on the 3rd run.
Apparently it’s pretty common to feel a bit lost after graduating - unless you hop straight into B210K.
If you do type Mojo into the search button at the top right you'll see that there are lost of us who have discovered that our mojo have just gone awol for a while.
I have a very low boredom threshold which, if not dealt with, results in my mojo playing hide and seek for a while. Some of the things I try in order to keep my interest:
Find new running routes every now and again.
Get a new playlist.
Buy a new piece of kit and promise myself that I will run 1km for every pound spent (now I'm running further I have to run 10k for every pound spent).
Make up lyrics to one of the songs on my playlist (lyrics about how my run is going, or just running related - see some of my posts for examples).
Make up what I'm going to write in the forum as I'm running.
Set yourself a goal to aim for - maybe entering a Parkrun, or a distance you want to achieve in the next 3 weeks and let someone know - or share your goal here on the forum.
Ask for a kick up the backside from forum members - this can work wonders. I've tried telling the forum I am going to run Number of km the next day and I need someone to check on me. The next day someone will then ask on the thread if I ran it and I feel I have to.
Try to enjoy your running, and remember a short run is so much better than no run at all You're doing great. Look forward to seeing you in the Bridge to 10k forum soon.
I'm feeling a bit like this. In the same position as you, will be interested to read any advice you get. Thought I'd easily be doing the 30 mins but actually finding it a struggle. Keep stopping on routes that I had completed in one go. Don't really understand why.
I know how you feel! I graduated on 6 July, did a couple of postgrad 30 mins, then a Park Run. Set a goal of 30 min 5k because I was running 5k but in 35 mins, then came to France for 6 weeks. I am not a morning person but have had to go out at 7 to escape the heat (26C at 11 last night)! Last couple of runs have had to walk a bit, but I got a 5k PB on Sunday so reckon I must be increasing my pace when running. Can I call this intervals 😂
Anyway, plan is to change my playlist, download the C25K+ podcasts, find a new route when back in uk and go back to early evenings and Park Run. I also realise I don’t like running on my own, so if there is anybody between Lincoln and Market Rasen wants a running buddy please get in touch!
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I've only gone and done it!
W9 R3 - I did it!!
No mojo in this heat
What's happened since I graduated! 
Thoughts please
