consolidation runs getting nearer the elusive 5k

[notquiteretired]

Now 2 weeks post graduating, after the initial euphoria, I must admit found it strange without coach Sarah egging me on and keeping me right , being in big school was a bit lonely 😳

Have tried to keep up x3 runs per week, mixed some shorter 20 mins ( unintentionally but necessary due to the heat and having to pull up short ) with other 30 minutes when cooler but felt a bit disappointed about this

This morning I got up earlier started my music playlist and decided to just see how it went, forgot to wear my new garmin so no pressure, result being ran 4.34kms in 35 mins( I forgot I had added 2 extra songs to playlist so did 35 instead of 30 mins🤣)

ok, still short on 5k but getting closer, nearest previous being 3.7k so chuffed today 😊👍

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

That’s brilliant! You’ll be doing 5k before you know it 😊

If you miss having a coach you could always try Nike Run Club, there’s loads of guided runs on there. If you want something that’s not coaching but offers a change from music there’s loads of podcasts to try. Or there’s my personal favourite, the Zombies Run app, an ongoing story with optional zombies chases, it’s a lot of fun 🧟‍♀️

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

thanks SeeJillRun, I am content to keep plodding and one day I will get to 5k😊

have downloaded zombie run but not had chhance yet to use cheers 👍

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

I’m the same, I’ve just got to 2 miles in 40 minutes but I’ll get there when I get there.

Hope you enjoy Zombies, Run. I wasn’t sure at first but now I love it 🥰

[Debston Graduate]

Well done, that's brilliant. Great things happen when you are not over thinking them, I reckon. I had a couple of runs after graduation where I really wasn't feeling it, no idea why really but it bothered me. I think I was just a bit tired really. Anyway, for whatever reason, we'll all have runs that don't go fantastically well, and I suppose the important thing is to keep on keeping on. ☺

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Debston]

thanks Debston, yes I agree sometimes just run and see where you end up

you doing brilliant with 10kplan👍

[Hidden]

Great stuff.. You can still use Sarah, just repeat week 9. I use Michael for my interval training, it's great for interval training because you don't have to look at your watch, and it turns your music down. I've been repeating W4 every week since graduation... I'm not getting rid of my MJ. 😁

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Hidden]

thanks clubberlang yes will defo mix things up like you suggest

you doing really well from your posts re 10k good luck with your race later😊

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

Sounds like ur all doing well which is great 🤗 x

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Bluepup1]

cheers Bluepup1, just finding my feet I think and getting used to the freedom to run how I choose😊

hope things going ok with you

[Lbb62]

Well done. Excellent to progress like that. X

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Lbb62]

thanks Lbb62, just taking things slowy especially in this heat👍

hope things ok with you

[backintime Graduate]

Well done ! My 5k came to me during consolidation, one day I just sort of over ran and there it was : )

You can do it

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to backintime]

thanks backintime, yes, like you say, relax and one day think the elusive 5k it will just happen 👍 hope things going ok for you

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

After a bigger run, like w9r1, for whatever reason it is 'big', you may deflate for some time.

Give yourself time.

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

thanks Elisabeth3, I am sure one of these days I will get to 5k but at the minute I still marvel I actually run 😂😊

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

You will get there soon enough.

When you started the C25K, you tried to reach for 10 minutes, then 25, then 30.

Looking back after 30 mins, the 10 mins are not challenging that much any more.

Look forward to your 5k. Then to 7, then 10 or longer.

You will look back and say, Wow, I could do all that!

Does it make sense? The former challenge becomes an achievement.

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

thanks, yes like you say its important to look back and reflect on what you have achieved aswell as setting the next goal😊

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

It is easy to be a bit disappointed by a less good run but if you look back to the start of your journey, are you not doing amazing?

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Brilliant! Great running x It is a bit weird being in big school 😆 but can be kind of liberating. I found I lost my mojo a bit and the runs started getting shorter and shorter. B210k came along at the right time for me.

Maybe you need a goal to work towards? And it won't be long before you crack the 5k xx

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

thanks Jogunlikely, yes I agree totally, it was bit strange post grad

think once I feel more comfortable at 5k then I start bridge 10 👍

[Jogunlikely Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

If you fancy joining the magic plan then you could do the same option as me. I run to the time schedule so it doesn't matter how far I run just that I do the allotted time.

Just having a structure has helped me to enjoy my runs again. It's nice because you get a short run, a 30 Min then a progressively longer run.

So maybe you don't fancy this at the moment but perhaps draw up your own week by week plan? Or just freestyle it 🤗 And don't feel you have to stick to 30 mins continuous running. If you fancy intervals or a short run etc then do. You're doing this for you so do what makes you happy xx

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

It is lonely out there on our own isn't it? I need to formulate a plan i think.

Well done on that great distance! I honestly can't see me ever doing 5k in under 30 minutes.....i would have to run constantly at 10kph which ain't physically possible in my case! 🤣 I think I'm going to aim for 5k under 45 minutes....eventually!!

Keep up the good work!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

hi Lindsey, my little vrb hows things, it was a bit strange after graduating from couch25k, really missed being told what to do ( thats a novelty me saying that but true in this case) also struggling with the heat😳

how you dealing with post grad? are you doing week9 runs or mixing runs from other weeks aswell

think I will do as others have suggested and relax about 5k and try enjoy mixing runs for a while, I have achieved running for 30 mins which reallly is amazing considering how unfit I was 3 month ago😊👍

[backintime Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

you wouldn't have to constantly run at 10km/h....you could do some much faster then slow down

[Lindsey-joy Graduate in reply to backintime]

Hahaha! Yeah right! 🤣🤣🤣🐌🐌🐌

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Don’t worry the period after graduation is a bit odd and one expects to be way better immediately but it takes time. Best thing is to run regularly and to enjoy it. Everything else will come in time. Well done!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

thanks Couchpotato2, definetley a kind of anticlimax post grad but will aclimatise 😊 just cant believe I can run for 30 mins or more now to be honest 🏃‍♀️

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

Yeah even now that I can run over an hour I don’t believe it either! I had quite a few bad runs after graduation just because I tried to speed up and in the end went back to plodding along and found the joy again. Then after a bit I started extending some runs and I reached 10km!! Still find it hard to believe. It’s a bit of a patience game!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Wow, well done. Have you enrolled in a race?

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

I did a 10km race for life which I really enjoyed and was hoping to do a 10km timed race on 14th July but seems I’m on a shift till 1am the day before so I’ll look for another one in the future!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I wish you good luck. Nice you are thinking of 10k!

[emmat7]

That’s really good going livehowyoudid the extra five mins and that’s what I am like sticking to 30 or35 mins trying to push self but just can’t . I did my fifth park run today for my practice runs I listen to Laura do stamina and speed couch to 5 l plus podcast (so never quite 4K in those )however, park run is my longer one @about 42 mins I manage to pull it out of the bag always running but a bit too slow do going to push self abut more this week ..