Stick with it! . . . You'll be glad you did!

[Julian1970]

Hi everyone,

Long time no post, but still about so I thought I would pass on a few words (hopefully) of encouragement with you.

First things first, whether you are just starting, half way through or just coming up to graduation, WELL DONE! You deserve a a huge round of applause for getting this far and yes that includes W1R1 runners, as just signing up to the program is a huge step.

Second, keep going! As we head into the colder, darker days of autumn and winter, motivation to pull on those running shoes is going to be tested to the limit. Trust me, after the long hot summer we've had (and may we have many more like it), running in cooler even cold weather is going to be a lot more comfortable. Having said that, warm ups are going to be even more important to try and prevent injury.

Next, have a post grad plan. C25K is the first step, but what about that next adventure? Completing C25K can be like hitting a target diet weight, when you reach it you feel like you can relax and take it easy. But just like a diet, stopping what you've been doing and those bad habits start to creep back in and the next thing you know, all your hard work is undone. So start thinking now about your future running goals. You may want to progress to 10k - great! Find a plan that suits you and go for it. You may feel that 5k is your limit, well that's ok too. I can't recommend enough the fantastic Parkrun. You are bound to have a local Parkrun, these are timed runs (but not races) that take place every Saturday all over the country and they're FREE!

Set yourself a real challenge! Find an event to enter, perhaps a sponsored event; something to motivate you and work towards, especially if there is a medal on offer. You do normally have to pay an entry fee for these kind of events, but they are still great fun to do.

Finally, enjoy your running! Before C25K I was so anti running. But, after graduating in June, I still run three times a week, including Parkrun every Saturday. I have competed in one medal race and have booked a place on Santa Dash 2018 (another 5k event) and I'm looking forward to 2019 and entering some 10k runs. It's all in the plan but I wouldn't have done all of this without C25k and because I really do enjoy it.

Enjoy your running, stick with it and I'll see you at the finish line.

[Jennypenny2]

Hi nice to read your post you always inspire me and hopefully a lot more people to .

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thank you Jenny. Great to see your B210K is going so well!

As so many others have said, this forum is there to support and motivate each other and it is great to be a part of it.

Brilliant progress, WELL DONE!

[Hidden]

Hello Julian. Welcome back. I don’t think I’ve read any of your posts anyway there is a first time for everything. So very pleased to meet you🤝.

So your words of motivation are just what I need. I haven’t done a parkrun for a couple of years although I did talk about doing one in the summer but never got around to it. I’ve only done a couple.

I run at least twice a week and believe me there not brilliant runs although there not too bad.However I’m no Paula Radcliffe !

I live out in the sticks which is hilly and has lots of farm tracks,fields etc. So I have been humming and harring about driving somewhere that is relatively flat to do a park run. Hubby and I were just talking about it this evening aswell as talking about entering myself for a 10k next year.

So when I read your post I decided that Saturday I shall parkrun for my last run of the week no.3 . And then I shall enter myself in a 10k next year.

So a big thank you for your encouraging post.

Happy running.👍😀😀

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Awww thanks Peggy.

Trust me, I don't set any records either Peggy and I don't mind admitting that I have been helped over the line by runners many years my senior on more than one occasion. It's not humiliating either, it's motivational and I love it.

I have the opposite problem to you when it comes to the local landscape, it's very flat where I am. I'm lucky that my work takes me all over the country so I can usually find a hilly run to give the legs a bit of a work out. But I have to admit, we have a fantastic Parkrun, it runs along side the beach

Got my sites set on a few 10k-ers for next year, but also completing my first 50 Parkruns. So bring on the cold, wet winter days . . . I'm ready for ya'!

[Hidden in reply to Julian1970]

Brilliant! I must admit I much prefer to run in the colder weather too,that just suits me fine. I’m 60 now and shall retire from work next year (nhs anaesthetics ) so I’m looking forward to being able to run on a more regular basis.

50 park runs that sound a big task. Look forward to reading your post about that challenge.🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🤗🤗

My nearest parkrun are in Hereford and the Forest of Dean both a good

45 mins drive to get to,especially Hereford which is the other side of Hereford at the racecourse,so it’s a drive through the town before you even get there. Well it is what it is.🤣🤣🤣

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Wow, I've been working around Hereford and the Forest of Dean this week, how weird is that? Had a bit of a walk through the forest, but did my run on the outskirts of Hereford.

[Hidden in reply to Julian1970]

Wow! That’s spooky. We actually live on the border of Monmouth. If you know the forest and Hereford then you’ll know Monmouth and our village is called Llangrove,up on a hill.

My husband cycles out in the forest often. A beautiful part of the world here although I quite fancy your run by the beach ..lovely and flat😀😀

Have you been working in Hereford ?

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi Peggy, yes I am over there quite regularly, usually for at least a couple of days a month, I'll be back over in November. I normally come in on the A49 and see all the signs for Monmouth but never actually been through it. But the whole area is lovely, I enjoy getting over there.

[Hidden in reply to Julian1970]

Yes it’s beautiful especially this time of year with all the autumn colours.We love living here I must say.

We shop in Hereford often. Hereford is our metropolis 🤣🤣🤣!unlike Cardiff or the other big places Hereford has the bustle without the hustle if you know what I mean😂😂.

Whereabouts in Hereford do you work,perhaps I know it?

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I work at lots of different places Peggy, mainly with agricultural guys, so I am all over the place. I usually stay at the Brandon Lodge B+B, just on the outskirts of Hereford on the A49.

[Hidden in reply to Julian1970]

Yes we know the Brandon lodge. Where we live have four farms mainly cattle and sheep. It’s so beautiful apart from the hills. However there always down hills.

Have you met the Herefordshire bull in the centre of Hereford by the old house?🐂😂😂😂

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I haven't seen the bull Peggy Perhaps next time I am there I will go and look for him (get a selfie ) But the hills Peggy are lovely, it's why I like coming over there. It's all very flat over here in Norfolk.

[Hidden in reply to Julian1970]

Yes it is beautiful. Hubby and I moved here in the 90s with hubbys job ( police) We did move for a little while with his job,but the we returned and now he’s retired we won’t be moving any where else.

The bull is not hard to miss. It’s in the main shopping area not the new shopping area. It stands on a big plinth and is situated outside the the old house ( black and White House).

A selfie would be great.

Happy running in flat Norfolk. 😀😀🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great stuff... seems like yesterday I was pretty new here and you posted your caught on camera parkrun post. Santa dash sounds fun, as does 10k (didn’t think I’d say that ever) enjoy training up for that one.

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

It's great unfit, they take pictures every week and each week I seem to be a little bit less red faced and sweaty, so I am either getting a bit better at this running lark or, they are just taking the photos earlier in the run

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Julian1970]

😂😂

[Mayanow]

Very well said! And you're right about the after-graduation limbo! You need a new target to keep it up.

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Mayanow]

Thank you May