Staying motivated after graduating...

[Elceee]

Hi. Just wondering how everyone manages to stay motivated to run after graduating? I'm worried about not having a routine to stick to when I have finished the programme. I love running, but I also love the routine of c25k as it motivates me. How do people cope without the programme?

[tiggs1 Graduate]

I have been out twice since graduating without the lovely Laura on my podcasts and although I have enjoyed the runs VERY much I missed the structure of the podcasts so on Tuesday I am going to try the C25k+ podcast

To keep me focussed I have signed up for a 10k race/fun run (i plan on doing it as a fun run) so that will get me out the door 3 times a week and in November I am going to start adding 10% to my weekend run each week

Good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

When you graduate I will send you a link to a What next post, full of suggestions for future running.

If you are too impatient, or just a planner, then you can find the post in the FAQ posts.

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Unless you are super fit and fast you may not make 5k in 30mins so this will be 1st motivation, then park runs, races and longer distances. There is another forum with loads of info on bridging to 10k but I looked today and decided I’m happy still on this one increasing my speed to reach 5k under 30 mins. Enjoy the journey you are on just now then you’ll find loads of info when you graduate

[Buddy34 Graduate]

If you can stick to the same 3 days a week they are your run days. If you listen to music change your playlist often and my favourite is finding and running new routes. I use this

plotaroute.com/routeplanner

[damienair Graduate]

I was the very same after I graduated. I felt a little rudderless. Then I got hooked on parkrun every Saturday morning. That was the key for me. I run twice during the week and I run at parkrun every weekend. I then went on to do some 5K and 10K road races.

[Runnf Graduate]

I found it hard at first, but I kept going as I was determined not to lose the fitness & muscle I'd built up.

I enjoy having less structure actually, now - some runs are shorter, some longer, the main deal I have with myself is I get out at least once but preferably 3 times a week. Not being so committed to a particular time or goal has made it easier to try out new routes without feeling I have to reach a certain distance or avoiding hills in case they slow me down.

My main motivation though are my audiobooks- I keep some just for running, so if I don't run, I can't find out what happens next! (see also Zombies run).

[Elceee]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone 😁 the park runs sound fun, so I might have a look to see where my nearest one is when I feel a bit more confident in my abilities!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Bridge to 10k. Parkrun. Join a club. Sign up to races 👍🏽

[FatterPenguin Graduate]

I want to run 10K which I tell people is my motivation...but if I'm honest I've found if I run I can eat more without putting on weight (I'm so shallow) 😉

[Elceee in reply to FatterPenguin]

Love it! 😂

[mrrun Graduate]

I simply carried on running. Came up with my own targets and worked out the timings and routes. I never ran or wanted to run with anyone else, hit all the landmarks including the marathon on my own. Probably some of the best decisions of my life. 😀

[motherduckling Graduate]

I have now done the C25K program twice, as the first time I did end up totally losing motivation. Because there was no set plan, every time I went out and got tired, I told myself that it was ok because that would just be my short run for the week - but then they all turned into short runs and it just spiraled down from there.

So after graduating this time, I actually wrote out exactly what I want to do for each of my next runs, for the next approx 6 weeks, and have been ticking them off as I have completed them. And so far so good! And at the end of the 6 weeks I'll just make up another plan depending on what aspect of running I want to improve from there!