What now?

[juliet2018]

I’ve just graduated about a week ago and I am now finding it very difficult to motivate myself to keep getting out there as it still feels very tough running for half an hour.

Any suggestions?

Thanks 😊

[Nottooold Graduate]

I don’t have any suggestion for you, but I deeply share your feeling...I think that we should be more motivated now then before because we don’t have nothing else to do, now, than consolidate our progress...

I really hope to realize (I don’t know IF or WHEN) that I like running, while I often hate it now...

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Try 20 minutes 2x a week and 5k at the weekend. Slowly increase the 20 minutes. Just keep getting out there until it’s routine. Don’t give up!

[MegaSuze]

You could try an App like Zombies run. It might not be for everybody but it puts you in a story about a lot zombie apocalypse and you run as a story is told to you and you complete tasks. I believe you take on a character in the story. I'm not completely sure how it works but i started their version of the C25K which is set in the same ish story line and it seemed quite good.

It might not be for you but might be worth checking out for something different?

[misswobble Graduate]

Yeah just do it Don’t think 💭 🤔 just do 😁👍🏃‍♀️⚡️💥🔥☄️💨🌪 ✅

Once you’re out there you’ll be fine 💪

[staceypek Graduate]

Hi Juliet! I graduated on 22nd Dec and I can relate to what you're feeling. A question for you though; even if you don't overly love it when you're out running, do you find that if you don't go for a couple of days, something inside you just feels as though you need to get out and run? If not, I'd leave it for a day or 2 longer between your runs and just see how you feel. You'll probably find the urge comes!

Another suggestion would be to sign up to a parkrun if you haven't already. You don't have to do one every week of course but they're great as they're timed and the atmosphere I've found is fab. And similar to another suggestion here, perhaps mix up your times and distances a bit? You don't necessarily need to do half hour x3 times a week, perhaps do one short, one medium, one long for example?

[juliet2018 in reply to staceypek]

Yeah I know what you mean!

Thanks for the tips 😁

[Hidden]

This is very common I think. There is a guide under the FAQs which has loads of good ideas for the post graduate life.

They say it takes 3 months to establish a habit, so keep going and try varying your runs, distance, route and what you listen to

The luurrve will come

[Gran4z Graduate]

First of all congratulations on completing the course. I recall I actually felt quite flat after the initial euphoria of graduating - so what you are feeling is not uncommon, as you will have read from everyone else who has responded.

So what to do? All the suggestions already given are fantastic, take your pick. Shorter runs, longer ones, just mix 'em up! No one says you must run for 30 mins. I finished ages ago, but this week for something different and because of a mild injury I've been doing W1R1 with Micheal Johnson as my mentor. It was so nice to run with him again! It's quite fun just dipping into any of the 9 weeks and doing a run of your choice.

ParkRuns are great and you do it in your own way, i.e. Run, walk, whatever works for you. Please don't give up now that you've got this far, it would be such a shame. Just be kind to yourself, take it easy, take it slowly and enjoy the moment and smile, it helps 🙂

[juliet2018 in reply to Gran4z]

Thanks so much.

I miss Michael Johnson so maybe I’ll take him out with me again!

😊

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to juliet2018]

Yeah, go out with Micheal, he's so gorgeous! And enjoy his company. Happy days 🙂🌻

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.......... you slipped through the net.

This guide to post C25K running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Targets, consolidation, variety...........those three can help maintain a feeling of continued progress, build your strength and provide you with some fun in your running.

I really appreciated being away from the constraints of a training plan after C25K but I know many do feel aimless. The important thing is to find out what is going to keep you running............ you can't let all that hard work go to waste.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi juliet2018 ...congratulations on your graduation...it's an amazing thing you've achieved

I completely get where you're coming from when you say this..I was exactly the same and i know I wasn't alone...all I did was keep getting out there but it seemed boring...so I did some of Laura's stepping stones podcasts that build up stamina and speed...they kept me going...that and my absolute enjoyment of my new found ability. Don't put any pressure on yourself in these early weeks, just enjoy yourself....maybe join a running club or do the park run...?? Good luck...and keep posting x