Consolidation run with a twist!

[Franglaise]

Morning all. I have been happily doing my consolidation runs.

This morning my running buddy announced we were going to try something different...after 10mins jogging we would do 2 mins fast pace then back to jogging briefly then another 2 mins fast pace then back to jogging for a total of 36 mins.

I thought 'I will give it a go' managed to increase the pace when required, but it threw me off the remainder of the run, to the point where I finished the run earlier than I should have....2 mins is a lot for a novice runner. I have seen plans that suggest 30 seconds!

I have been looking at Ju Ju's Magic 10 which I think will suit me personally much better, increasing the distance on run 3... My buddy doesn't agree, she wants to persevere with the 5-10k app she has. I have enjoyed running with her but the time has now come where I have to do what suits me best, we are all different after all.

Maybe I am blowing it out of proportion and should see how it goes, but I think my body is saying consolidate more and increase distance gently...I don't seem to be ready for increased pace yet...plus I don't want to win any races, I am just running to be healthy and I want to enjoy the runs and not dread them.

Does anyone have a similar experience or advice please?

[Julia187 Graduate]

I think you should run for you, do what suits you and get what you want out of running. I'm also doing my consolidation runs but on the whole I have stuck to 30 minutes, I've done a couple of longer runs just to get to 5k but it is definitely helping, I can tell I'm improving and wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise that and potentially put me off.

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to Julia187]

That is how I feel that it may put me off....felt demoralised all day. 35 min run on Friday and im only speeding up if I feel Like it at the end....you are right....im running for me....thank you

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Bonjour Franglaise, the main reason for me starting with C25K was for me also to keep fit and be healthy, I had cut down the number of cycle 🚴 runs I do from four to one a week but still wanted to do exercises as well, I noticed the C25K training program being promoted during a half marathon on TV, began the course, did not report my progress until around week 4, just in case I gave up and nobody would know, shame on me, but I did take note of the day I ran run 1 of week 1. I was very pleased with myself so after run 3 of week 3 I was confident that I would continue with the course and began to report my runs here on C25K.

It's up to you if you want to run on your own or with a friend or go on to the Bridge to 10K podcasts.

[SlowLoris]

Intervals are great training and two minute intervals are not a problem. But if you don't like them then don't do them. However, if you want to keep your running buddy you may have to compromise a bit. Perhaps just run separately when she does an interval session.

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

Two minute intervals were a problem mid run with recover one minute then go again fast for another 2, you are obviously way more advanced than me.

[SlowLoris in reply to Franglaise]

No such thing as a fast loris.

But you’re right. I would do a long run or an interval session. Not both on the same day. I would do a warm up before the intervals but that’s all.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

I did Ju-Ju's Bridge to 10km and it worked, however I also did some experimenting with intervals and fartleks for fun. You probably need to make a decision to work on distance or speed, otherwise you mightend up with legs feeling like lead. Good luck, whatever you decide.

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you....i know for sure i would rather work on distance than speed. With distance the speed should increase. Im quite happy with my 5k in 30 mins, dont need,a sub 30. Just happy I am running. Decided i may try a bit of speed at the end and not mid run like today...for now anyway. As Julia said, i dont want putting off.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

If you're doing 5km in 30 mins you're faster than most of us already, and definitely faster than me 👍😀

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I think i am running,at full capacity for now though, which Is maybe why the fast intervals today finished me off.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Franglaise]

So do the fast bits at that speed and the rest slower?

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

You are right! Why didnt i think of that?