Welcome to the Consolidation Club, the first of what we hope will be a regular feature supporting new graduates in the first weeks after completion of Couch to 5k. This period can be tough, without either a programme to follow or the regular satisfaction of achieving a new aim each week, which is why the Consolidation Club is being created.
Each month a new Pinned Post will be created, where those going through consolidation, post C25k, can leave run reports, swap ideas, ask questions and get help formulating plans and targets, knowing that at least one member of the admin team is keeping an eye out, with advice to offer. There is no need to sign up, just drop in and have your say.
As recommended in the guide to post C25k running healthunlocked.com/couchto5... immediately after C25k it is advisable to ease back on the weekly increase in demands that the plan imposes and consolidate your efforts, just by becoming comfortable with running for 30 minutes or 5k for a few weeks. Mix up your runs too. Try some shorter runs and discover all your paces, from slow to fast.
Consolidation is not compulsory, but is considered good practice for all runners, at any stage, who have increased duration and distance over the preceding weeks and is particularly appropriate for new runners, to avoid burnout and injury. How many runs this takes will be very individual, but it is foolish to embark on working towards longer distances, such as 10k or half marathon, until you are well and truly comfortable running for thirty minutes.
So, over to you new graduates who want to tell us how it is going or feel they need a bit of extra support at this stage. How’s it going?
