How slow can you go?

[Speedy60]

Quite slowly, as it turns out. After graduating on Monday, I've had a good think about what I want to do next. I haven't come up with specific goals, except perhaps a parkrun, but I do know I want to keep running in my life. I read all the wonderful advice here and followed every link to every YouTube video, magazine article and old post I could find. The result? I've just done my first consolation run in my slowest time ever 👏🎉. I never thought when I started out in September that I'd consider that an achievement - shows how far I've come 😉

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I think when we start c25k and going through we want to be faster . Then you realise when the longer runs come going slow really is a good thing and the run just feels more enjoyable.

I wanted to run longer distances but felt I thought 5k was my limit , my problem was going too fast.

So like we are told on here to slow down I was told the exact same thing over on bridge210k. To go longer you must go slower and it really works .

Sounds like you really enjoyed today's run 🤗🤗

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I so did! (Sorry, the English teacher in me is cringing at that sentence). I was on a high on Monday when I graduated on an accidental PB, but I've realised that's not a good way to go every run. I've decided one slow run, one speed and one distance each week. I'm eyeing up a hill or two as well.

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

It's ok to break away from proper grammar now and again 😂😂

You sound like you've got a plan.

Eventually hills will just be on another run🤗

[LeeU Graduate]

Just like Buddy34 I too am pushing the distance, I've already done the time to 60 minutes+ on a long slow run but now I want to hit 10k, I'll also be doing some ParkRuns, the first one can't be until Christmas Day.

Use your consolidation runs to decide where you want your running journey to take you, you have done excellently so far, it is really the case of the world is your lobster now, further, faster, intervals, half or even full marathons, your choice.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Well done and very sensible 👍😁

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I think thats superb. I graduated 6 years ago now, and at first I wanted to get faster and faster, and go for longer distances. I have learnt through time and just running that what works for me is running regularly ( I run everyday) and at a pace that feels comfortable. Every time in the past that I have upped my speed I ended up injured. I run for my wellbeing, not winning the Olympics Well done you, your attitude is a very good basis to build on.

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you. I'm very clear that for me running is going to be for life, not just for Christmas. I need to find a way to make that happen and slow seems to be the answer, at least for now.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

perfect

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Speed comes in many forms think about any Olympics- those running 100m do different speed from marathon runners. We just take these different speeds to a whole new level 😉 run happy at any speed you want

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Those 30 minute steady consolidation runs are very special and building even more muscle to run further and faster

[Tiggercnk Graduate]

I’m really struggling to go slower any advice? I love slower runs but just find myself speeding up naturally all the time.

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Tiggercnk]

All I do is take small steps, keeping my feet underneath my body and not taking them far off the ground. I now find that I can go for quite a while like this (50 to 60 minutes) and I feel good when I get home, rather than gasping for breath. I make sure I download a podcast so that my mind is on something I find interesting - usually literature or history in my case. Music is always for speedier runs or sprints.

I'm no expert on running, I've just experimented until I've found what works for me.

Good luck