The Quest is coming to C25K

[Realfoodieclub]

The Quest is coming to the C25K Forum as well.

Over the weekend we had a few discussion about graduates on the forum and about how we can make graduates feel welcome to stay around the C25k forum and post, all the admins and mentors have been working away in the background to try and achieve the feeling of the forum we are looking for. We have come up with the conclusion that the quest should come back to the C25K forum but also a version of it stay on the Bridge to 10km forum. That way when and IF (there is no pressure for you to move) you go over to the bridge there is a familiar format for you to help you find your feet on a new forum

When I graduated I was a bit lost as to what to do next. So I looked around on the forum to see what was there and there was nothing. At that time there wasn't any other running forums on here it was only the C25K. So I did a little post saying I was going to do a Quest and did anyone want to join me. I got loads of people interested. My first quest was around this time of year and Mother’s Day was in the period it would be taking place so I called it the Run for Mum Quest.

Little did I know that posting that quest would change my life. It was because of my quests that Healthunlocked came to me and asked me to run this forum

Over the years the Quest has been tweaked a bit, it is for graduates only, this is because we don’t want people struggling to do their quests when they should be listening to what their body needs and doing extra weeks if need be, it is an added pressure that is not needed while you are learning to run. The good news is that it is there waiting for you when you have graduated

So on the first of March 1st will be posting a new Quest on the forum,

This was my first ever proper Quest.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Here is the explanation of what the Quest is.

What the quest is:-

The quest lasts for a calendar month

You can join any time within that time.

The main aim of the quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.

We ask that you are a graduate . The main reason we ask this is that while you are doing the program your plan is very structured, so we wouldn't want the quest to interfere with that.

Most popular goals are:-

To run three times a week

To slowly increase distance

To train for a specific race

To add In Stretch and strength exercises

As you can see they are personal to yourself and it's totally your own choice.

Every week I will pin a new post where all the members of the quest can talk about how things are going

.

[Gardenraucous Graduate]

Thanks,I'm looking forward to the Quest.Today my hubby and me completed W8R3 and have been talking about what we'd like to do next after 6th March which is when we'll finish.We want to continue to run 3 times a week and build up to 5K.Today we ran just over 3.2 km in 28 minutes so have a way to go to reach 5K and we want to do it comfortably.We're in our late 50's and running is new to us ,can't believe we've nearly finished the programme.I could hardly run for a minute when we started and this forum has given me a lot of encouragement.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Gardenraucous]

The Quest is really good for the “What Next” motivation. I will look forward to seeing you name. Rfc x

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great I would really like that something to focus on after c25k so thank you 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

That is great I will look forward to seeing you on the Quest. Rfcx

[Nellytheelephant Graduate]

Sounds great - I’m due to graduate next week, as I run at the moment I’m beginning to think how to go from here - and where and what exactly I want. It all seems a bit bewildering so this sounds helpful.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Nellytheelephant]

We will all help you find your feet and keep you going after graduation. Rfc x

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Sounds interesting - count me in ! I’d love to hang around x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

We would love you too, I will put the post up on Friday. Rfc x

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Looking forward to it x

[skysue16 Graduate]

Great, thanks Rfc!

I am one of those 'lost souls' you mentioned in your posts over the weekend. After graduating I moved to the Bridge forum and achieved my goal of running 10k. But injury left me in limbo - not feeling part of either forum. The reintroduction of the C25k Quest will really help me. Once again thank you for all your hard work and support 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thank you, I want people to feel free to use the forums so they get the most out of them for themselves. I had never wanted anyone ever to feel they had to leave, I am so glad we got to have the discussion and got it all sorted 😀. I will look forward to seeing your name. Rfc x

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Great idea! 😀

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you. Rfc x

[Berksrover Graduate]

I think this is a great idea, I have been looking for something to focus on having graduated both C25K and the Bridge to 10k, all I have to do now is work out what my quest is!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

Great news, Rfc x

[Hidden]

This sounds great, I'll look forward to it 😊

[CandyCool Graduate]

I have been struggling to get back into some sort of regular running. I was happily running 5K this time last year. Got a bit lax after a couple of 5k charity events. And then almost stopped. So for me the Quest sounds perfect. Running 3 times a week and a 10K charity run 26th May is my Motivation. Just need help to focus and believe I can do it. So thank you this sounds perfect.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to CandyCool]

After events is a hard time. It is like post holiday blues. Most of us get it to some degree 😀.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Excellent news. People doing the programme will see the wide range of things people do afterwards to maintain and develop their fitness.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

That is what we thought. It has always been useful. Now who was the idiot that moved it away, oh yes that would be me! At least I can bring it back. 😀.

[Coolcookingteacher Graduate]

This sounds great, I graduated last week and managed my first Park Run on Saturday. Considering entering a 5km ManuptoCancer run locally in April but do need to keep the momentum of 3 runs a week up, this online Quest would certainly help. Good idea!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Coolcookingteacher]

I’m glad it will help, look forward to seeing your name. Rfc x

[Deepestblue Graduate]

Oh brilliant! I was beginning to worry about feeling lost once I’ve completed my 9 weeks 😁😁😁

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Deepestblue]

We will keep you in the right track. Rfc x

[Silvanus]

Any thoughts of a C210K to follow once graduated ?

[MutleyShuffle Graduate in reply to Silvanus]

There is a Bridge to 10k forum and a plan you can print out, but no app as yet

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Silvanus]

The bridge to 10km is a great forum, well populated and you will see lots of names you know. It is more about the technical side of going further. It is so easy to be part of both forums, we actively encourage it 😀. Rfc x

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Silvanus]

There's a suite of Couch to 5K+ podcasts to try which work on different things. Will be quite a shocker for those who have used the app rather than the podcasts to work through C25K, but they're interesting.

Worth bearing in mind that this presentation of Couch to 5K was/is NHS funded and they were frankly not interested in us running 10Ks, just getting us running 30 minutes regularly.

ju-ju- runs a regular programme on Bridge to 10k which is very popular.

[Fitwannabe]

Great idea! I graduate this weekend so to have semi structured goals to achieve in future is a great idea.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Fitwannabe]

Good luck with graduation, see you soon. Rfc x

[Runners Graduate]

I am due to graduate on 1 March 😁 it’s like a sign that I must join the Quest 😂

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Runners]

Definitely a sign, good luck and see you soon. Rfc x

[Loubeloo Graduate]

Great idea- I was only thinking last night I miss the focus of the programme since graduating. Looking forward to this, so thank you 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Loubeloo]

We are all still here with you. Rfc x

[Kocelyn Graduate]

Great idea. Look forward to it

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Kocelyn]

Great news xxx

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

I really do need to work on my speed ☺

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Speed is a great quest. Rfc x

[Janfran Graduate]

What a great idea. I graduated C25K in November, but being an oldie, have no desire (at the moment!!) to run 10k, but just to consolidate at 30 mins or 5k and stay fit. I've tried various of the suggestions I've read about consolidation, and have ended up running to 60s music three times a week - and doing some park runs. The Quest sounds great as it'll give me an opportunity to work out other goals to achieve. Look forward to being part of it.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Janfran]

30 mins running is a great exercise and never to be belittled. I love my music when I run, it my me time. Rfc x

[Joster Graduate]

I'm in, thank you. I'm a C25K graduate, but will use the quest to consolidate and start the B210k.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Joster]

That is a great use of the quest. Rfc x

[WalkingWithLabradors Graduate]

Just what I needed as a lapsed 5k achiever of last year. Since then I’ve wavered and my fitness has lapsed. Should I get back to 5k before I do the quest?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

That is up to you. Being a graduate you could use the quest for motivation. Because you have been Through the program you know the pitfalls of not listening to your body, most runners have had to take a bit of time off sometime, take it steady and you will be fine, by all means join the quest. Rfc x

[bizteach Graduate]

I am a graduate but still not reached 5K, does that count?

[orcadia Graduate in reply to bizteach]

Sounds perfect for you - depending on how close to 5k you are you could make that your quest. I'm almost- but not quite - managing 5k now in 40 mins with30 mins of running and the warm up and cool down walks.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to bizteach]

Of course it does. If you read the first ever quest I did I was a graduate and working towards my first ever 4km 😀.

[Stratters Graduate]

Thanks RFC - sounds like a useful way of carrying on ..... i’ll Watch for the introductory post and join you for sure!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Stratters]

Brilliant 😀. Rfc x

[Lizzisforliving Graduate]

This feels so serendipitous. I graduated in January 2018 and have continued to run 3 times a week. I usually manage 5k but recently I have been enjoying it less and not making any progress. However, yesterday I went back to an old route and actually enjoyed running (after the first 15 minutes!) so this would be a perfect time to move on and up. I don't know whether to go for a 'faster' or 'further' goal - I'll wait and see what the quest suggests.

By the way, I tried one podcast from Laura from, I think, Bridge to 10k, but I accidentally managed to increase the speed of the music (by at least 33%, possibly by 50%) so I failed miserably- that was a year ago, I think, and I haven't dared go back!

Thank you - I love this forum, although I almost never visit it these days. Xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Lizzisforliving]

Both are great and they are not exclusive of each other. I like to do a speed run and a distance run a week when I am not training for an event. We will help you get to whatever goals you like. Rfc x

[BeatRoute Graduate]

Perfect! Have struggled to keep going due to Achilles injury and then flu(ish) thing with lingering cough🤨. Back to running 5k in the last week, but it’s really tough, it seemed much easier right after graduating.

My local town is getting a Park Run and I really want to be there and feeling good for the first one, which will also be my first one too!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to BeatRoute]

Getting over stuff takes time, you feel your body has healed but deep down it is still getting there. Exciting times to be part of an inaugural park run 😀. Rfc x

[Zara2017 Graduate]

Brilliant.

I've got 2 more weeks to go and then thus sounds great!

Thank you for your efforts.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Zara2017]

We will look forward to seeing you. Rfc x

[Greysixty Graduate]

Thank you. This sounds great, and perfect timing for me as hopefully I will graduate in a week or so. I was wondering how I was going to cope !! In my 60’s, I don’t want to run 10k, or go mad but would love a goal to keep me going and maybe improve distance/time. Thank you.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Greysixty]

Sounds like you will fit In Perfectly with the quest, look forward to seeing you. Rfc x

[Coolcookingteacher Graduate]

Meant to say I'd really appreciate some Stretch exercises for before and after a run. Lots on YouTube but would appreciate them thru' this site if not too much trouble!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Coolcookingteacher]

We are working on that one. Hopefully by next week I will be able to make an announcement, exciting times. Rfc x

[CRAZYCATME Graduate]

Sounds good to me. I have been setting my own challenges and posting sometimes on c25k and others on bridge to 10k. It will be nice to have a dedicated space to go to. Count me in..thanks!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to CRAZYCATME]

The bridge will still have its quest, we want everyone to feel free to post on either forum but feel part of both if that is what they wish, it is definitely not either or 😀. Rfc x

[Tonkabella]

I have 1 week to graduation and will definitely keep this in mind and join you. You must have read my mind as I was saying only the other day that I was wondering what to do after graduation. Thank you for setting it up 😊🏃🏼‍♀️

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Tonkabella]

We will look forward to see you, good luck with graduation. Rfc x

[orcadia Graduate]

Great idea, and perfect timing as I've just graduated a week ago and done 3 consolidation runs at 30-33 mins.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to orcadia]

That is great, look forward to seeing you on the quest.

[101susie Graduate]

Thanks for this, once I’m off the IC I’ll be there.....tempted to go out for a run today but still have a niggle with the old PF.....

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to 101susie]

Take is steady, we have always had room on the Quest for people on the IC. Rfc x

[101susie Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I never ever thought I’d ever say I’m missing running!! I know I have to wait but it’s frustrating🤪🤪

[damienair Graduate]

Fantastic. Count me in. I’ve been a graduate for 20 months. For the past 2 months I have been on my own Quest of sorts. This is a great idea, count me in.

Damien

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to damienair]

Brilliant look forward to seeing you on the Quest. Rfc x

[pugmumma Graduate]

This is brilliant. I enjoyed the structure of c25k and it will be fun and motivating to have a new mission!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to pugmumma]

Brilliant, I’m glad it will help. Rfc x

[RunRunRun13 Graduate]

Such a great idea as the posts on here motivate me to get out and run. Would definitely be interested as I was just thinking what happens when the plan finishes 🏃‍♀️

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to RunRunRun13]

Thank you. Rfc x

[Ilminster09 Graduate]

Great idea, thank you.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Ilminster09]

Thanks. Rfc x

[Modchick Graduate]

Sounds perfect and brilliant timing for me as I'm due to graduate this week end!!

[MaddyNed Graduate]

Sounds great, I need something to focus on. I graduate next week and was feeling a bit lost on what next 👍xxxx

[Dexy5 Graduate]

A great idea realfoodieclub. I found it very helpful last year, seeing what my fellow graduates were up to too. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👏🏻👏🏻

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Cool... I’ll have to think about mine

[Modchick Graduate]

Sounds perfect! I'm a person who needs a plan / goal to keep me motivated. On week 9 so great timing too!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great stuff Rfc... I am pointing people to the coming attraction xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Brilliant, thank you. I’m just doing some Artwork and will probably post it last thing tonight. Xxx