So yesterday, I set out on my first post graduation run... and what a bittersweet experience it was. Since about week 5, I've been running two apps at the same time. The C25K app obviously, plus runkeeper. I started RK at the same time as my warm up walk and finished it running after my cool down walk. For my first post grad run, I decided to run it just for the 30 minute running section to get a better idea of how far I am running and my average running pace. Slow and steady was the answer to that.
So, for the bittersweet experience. Graduation was like passing your driving test. The elation. You are now free to go wherever you want without someone sitting by your side (or in your ear) telling you what to do. Then you set off on your first journey (run) and all of a sudden, you are on your own. You have to make your own decisions. Oh blimey... I missed Laura. It is like when someone you spend a lot of time with has gone on holiday. Still I enjoyed the freedom of choosing when to stop (I was aiming for 30 minutes and stuck to that). I felt like a proper runner because I didn't have someone by my side (in my ear) telling me what to do etc. But I did miss Laura's company. I'm off to Japan in a couple of days so I'm looking forward to continuing to run, but in a totally different country. See you all when I get back. Good luck to everyone on their running this week.
Written by
Nikongirl
Graduate
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Congratulations on graduating. You have missed our many hreads on where-to next 😃
You can still run with Laura as a graduate as she kindly did a follow in programme C25k+ Stepping Stones podcasts. Hours of free fun from here. See pinned posts 😃👍🏃♀️
Congrats on your graduation and first postgrad run ! Have a lovely time in Japan. I've never been there but I know South Korea well, and I find autumn there particularly lovely. Enjoy !
There are quite a few options for post-graduation. My own plan is to do consolidation runs for one month or so, and then move on to Bridge to 10k - or most likely in my case, Bridge to 60 minutes.
You just described my first post grad run as well! It felt like a big mental leap to me - before I was running to a programme, now I was just running because I wanted to. I wasn't entirely sure I was competent to be let loose on my own (as you say, exactly the same feeling as when I first drove on my own after getting my licence - perfect comparison), even having read the "what to do next" posts. I also used Runkeeper, and picked the Drill Sergeant to talk to me every 5 minutes. He made me laugh, so that helped enormously. Just did the 5 minute warm up, 30 minute run, 5 minute cool down, and enjoyed it - once I got through the first 10 minutes anyway
I was in Japan in July (just after I graduated) and took my running gear with me, but it was far too hot and humid to run (I couldn't even get my trainers on as the heat made my feet swell up!)
I'm sure their weather will be much kinder to you. Have a wonderful time as an international runner! 🏃♀️
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Barefoot on the Beach First Post Grad run
Breaking barriers - First post-grad run😃
First Post grad run
First Post Grad Run
First post grad run
