Well done on graduating. It’s a bit of a slog near the end of the programme and you may be fatigued. Try a couple of extra rest days (not always, just this once). Maybe make one of your three weekly runs a bit shorter. And try a parkrun. That gives you variety in your three weekly runs - shorter run, longer slower run, parkrun.
Also vary your pace from run to run. Don’t push to the limit every time. Maybe try some speed intervals for one run eg (30 seconds fast 2 minutes walk) repeated six times with a short slow jog before and after. Have fun with your running and don’t feel obliged to do exactly 30 minutes every time.
For the next three weeks or so concentrate on 1. Keeping the habit of running three times a week and 2. Enjoying your runs - take it slow and easy. After that you’ll probably want a new target to put some structure in again but not yet - after nine weeks of rapid improvement you need to consolidate and enjoy your achievement before moving on.
I know how you feel, I graduated in January and since then been struggling with motivation. I do feel better after a run but can’t say I’ve had a real high. It’s been better since I varied my runs. Sometimes I’ll just go out for 20 mins and do a slow couple of k or aim for a 3k. I also go longer to achieve 5K but with a bit of fartlek to vary the run. Yesterday I ran for the first time without headphones or phone. I just used my garmin and didn’t check it till I got back. I’m slower than a snail but made the conscious decision to start enjoying and varying the runs. If I go out with the view to do 5K and decide after 10-20 mins I’ve had enough then I stop without feeling guilty. Same the other way, I’ve gone out to do 20 mins and ended up over 45min and 5K. So I suppose all I’m trying to say is just enjoy yourself. Happy running 🏃♀️
Just go and run somewhere new, beautiful and inspiring, without anything in your ears, forgetting about pace and distance and just revel in your hard won ability to run for sheer childlike joy.
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