Post graduation update

[Pianism]

I've been a bit remiss at posting recently as I've largely been puttering along as (what has now become) normal, doing 3 runs or alternate cardio sessions per week and adding in some strength and HIIT training.

But I thought I'd drop a little update as I'm getting a bit excited about a couple of significant milestones.

I headed out for my long run this morning, along the Middlewood Way. Run report:

- Weather: Lovely sunny, but cool, morning. Check

- Motivation: At the head of the trail by 7.15am. Check.

- Kit. Swapped Matalan tops for technical running fabric and light shorts. Feels great. New shoes are a godsend. Proper running socks are so good for long runs. My Arm pocket for my keys is great. And why did no-one tell me a headband would totally transform my running experience?? Check.

- Fuel and hydration: my running belt is working perfectly now I know the bottles go at the front (oh, what a fool!). A few dried apricots to keep me going for the last couple of k seems to be working well. Check.

- Mental health: raring to go and conquer those demons. Check.

- Physical health: Achilles holding up well now I've transferred 1 run a week to treadmill or elliptical. Right knee was getting very sore by the end. Half check. Have now passed the 3 stone weight loss point (exciting!). Make back the lost half check.

- Distance: completed the planned 9k. So still on for my first 10k whilst I'm in Bournemouth next week (very exciting!). Check.

So all in all, I'm rather pleased with my (increasingly) little self today.

If you are thinking of starting out on this journey, please please do. It will change your life.

If you are working your way through the programme, all the very best to you. Slow and steady and don't worry too much.

If you have recently graduated, set some exciting goals and make a detailed plan of how you will reach them. And enjoy running how you want, when you want, for the sake of running itself. You've earned that right now.

For everyone else, thank you for supporting me (the ultimate couch potato) in getting to the point when I can write a post like this.

For RunaroundSue , you did this!

For everyone, you are all amazing and I'm so glad you are here with me.

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Great post! Sounds like you’ve got it all sussed 😁. Good luck for next week’s 10k 😃

[Pianism Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thank you

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Why are you wearing a swimming hat? (Not read post yet, maybe you are triathlon training)

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Lol, it's a head band! Now you come to mention it, it does look a bit like a swimming hat on that photo. Definitely no triathlon training in my future!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Haha, good to know

[Jell6 Graduate]

Excellent, great update, and remiss of us not to mention headbands, I wear them through winter and summer, if nothing else they keep hair off my face and earbuds in 🤗

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Well I'm a bit lacking in the old hair department... but running without sweat dripping into my eyes was sheer revelation!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Lovely read Pianism, you sound so excited I am sure it will be contagious. You have had such amazing dedication and seeing such great results from it.’well done you and your new shoes (have we seen the photo?)

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

No, I don't think I have posted pics of the new shoes. Will do so at some point.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

tsst tsst it's compulsory...

[RunaroundSue]

No Pianism you did this. I just gave you a push (shove?) in the right direction. I am so pleased you took to it.

Although I seem to remember that when I started running you were one of the people who said "couldn't do that, not in a million years" . You have proved yourself wrong

[Pianism Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

I guess I have.

My knee still complaining today so will have to take it very steady at parkrun (if at all...)

[Debston Graduate]

What a lovely report, sounds like you had a fabulous run and well on track for that 10k soon. I can never make my mind up about headbands, they bother my ears! But great for keeping hair off face and wind out of ears...

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thank you.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Wow Pianism, fantastic. Great headband!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Now I know they are an absolute mist for me, I'll invest in something more snazzy! I've got a whole shopping list for my trip to Bournemouth.... I've also noticed that the little high street near my friends' house in Poole (staying there on the Friday night) has a big running shop. Dangerous!

[ktsok Graduate]

Great run report, thank you! I like your checklist - it seems a good way of clarifying what’s working and what’s not. Well done and good luck with your Bournemouth 10k!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Thank you

[CatMo13 Graduate]

Wow this is great Pianism! Your are doing brilliantly. Have you followed JuJus plan for 10km? Also do you ever run consecutive days?

[Pianism Graduate in reply to CatMo13]

I've loosely followed Ju-Ju's plan, yes. I've had a few niggles with my legs (Achilles and knees) that have meant my progress hasn't always been smooth. So I've been experimenting a bit with different things.

I don't run on consecutive days, no. In fact, I'm considering reducing to 2 runs per week until I can resolve the legs issues (keep trying to get an appointment with my work physio, but for various reasons it's not happened yet). I sometimes do 10 mins on the treadmill to warm up before a strength session, and that's sometimes the day after a run, but I don't count that.

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Okay sounds good. Well not the Achilles bit! I hope that’s seen to soon. I’m sure I’ve heard that running on the front part of the foot is worse for Achilles - but you probably know that. I’m trying to start Jujus plan but will probably end up doing it in my own tailored way too. Happy running 🌟

[Pianism Graduate in reply to CatMo13]

And happy running to you too! The jump from 5-10 seems much easier than 0-5.

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

I’m looking forward to it - furthest so far is 6km 😁

[Podengo73]

Gosh well done. I am struggling through three 4K a week post graduation six months ago. Can’t seem to go further than 5k. Any tips?

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Podengo73]

For me it's all about pacing and then building up distance slowly. I start out on my long runs so very slowly, saving all my energy for the last quarter of the run. If the start of the run feels far too slow then it's probably the right pace.

There's other stuff I know I should be doing (tempo runs, speed work, hill work) but one step at a time.

[Podengo73 in reply to Pianism]

That’s really interesting. I tend to start quite fast and find a pace after about ten minutes, then I feel tired.... I will try going slower. I am running with three dogs which may be part of the problem!!!

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to Podengo73]

Maybe try doing a couple of shorter runs like 2.5 and 3 km and then do a 5.5km ?

[Podengo73 in reply to CatMo13]

I did a 3.5 k today and it felt like more! There are a lot of hills which means I get tired faster. I will give it a try. Thanks

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to Podengo73]

Well done , yes hills are hard work for sure !

[Emlist29 Graduate]

Well done you.

I’ve just graduated C25k and feel a little lost as to what next. Time to set some challenges. Any tips?

It sounds like you’re in my neck of the woods. I’m in Macclesfield and love to run on the Middlewood way.

I need to sort my diet out and hopefully I will be joining you on your weight loss journey.

Xx

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Emlist29]

Thank you. Yes, I'm in Stockport. Did my graduation run on Middlewood way so it's immediately got happy connotations for me.

Don't get me started on goal-setting... I can be a bit boring. To summarise, I knew I wanted to run longer but also run better... so I set 2 goals. 1) To run from Starr Gate to Anchorsholme Park (Blackpool)... as a theatre organist, Blackpool holds a special place in my heart because of the Tower Wurlitzer (as it turns out I've actually ended up in Bournemouth on the week I'll do my 10k, which is equally special, but I'll loop back and run the Blackpool one over the summer). Then I set myself the challenge to run around the Great Orme - "only" 8.5k, but with much more elevation gain than I'm used to. I'm doing that next week.

Then I signed up for 3 10k races this year to make sure I don't lose momentum (plus, I want some bling!).

Goals is the key.... set goals then plan how to hit them.

[Emlist29 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Go you. Just a quiet year then 😉.

All the best for the Great Orme. I have such fond memories of looking out from the top from my childhood.

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Emlist29]

Yeah... nothing doing! The Orme is my church... it's where I go to heal.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just amazing.... this is what it is all about!!! Absolutely brilliant..thank you!!!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

*blush*

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Pianism]

No need to blush.. you are so, doing this!!!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

In my own little way, yes.