Week9 run2

[Singingbee]

I'm so pleased I've got this far! I never thought for one minute when I started this that I would get anywhere near week 9! So why do I feel a bit disappointed that running for 30 mins only gets me just over 2.2 miles (3.6km) ? I can't imagine that I'll ever be able to run a 5K. However, I'm am pleased with what I have achieved. Am I being realistic, that I'll never actually do it?

[CobbleRunner Graduate]

Well done! And you are quicker than me - I ran Week 9 Run 2 yesterday and covered 3.4km. I’m thinking the distance will come with practice 👍🏼

[Singingbee Graduate in reply to CobbleRunner]

Thank you, I do hope so 👍

[venturieta Graduate]

I start W9 tomorrow. But at the end of W8 I found myself a little disappointed that I was running about the same distance as you.

A good antidote to this bittersweet feeling - at least for me - was to revisit my old posts. The Couch Potato me of week 1 would certainly be annoyed by my regrets about running "only" 3.5km. I had trouble running for a minute and a half!

How in a few weeks are we complaining about kilometers?

We will eventually reach 5K. Probably exceeding the 30 minute mark, but if most of us were having trouble imagining how we would get to the final weeks of the program, we should perhaps not rule out the possibility that, at some point, our pace will decrease and our idealization of the distance covered by kilometer will be a reality. Good luck with your graduation run. I hope you enjoy it.

[Singingbee Graduate in reply to venturieta]

Thank you for this encouragement. You're right, I should be happy with what I've achieved, I am happy! 👍

[Chocs_away Graduate]

Whaaaatt? That's brilliant, you can run for 30 mins!!!

5k? Pft, you'll get there. Think of how far you've come so far. Don't talk yourself down, you're doing amazing!!! Be proud and if you keep it up and making this level of amazing progress then you'll be running 5k. It will take a bit of time - but that's no big deal right now is it.

[Singingbee Graduate in reply to Chocs_away]

Thank you, you're right, I know you are! Thi k I just needed to hear it from other fellow runners! And to know I'm not the only one who's slow! Like you say, hopefully I'll get there one day! 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just run.. the idea with the plan is to run for 30 minutes, comfortably and enjoyably. The distance will follow.. the more your run the more it all evolves...This really is just the beginning... the legs get stronger, your stamina increases.

After you Graduate Short runs, 30 minute runs and the lovely long slow runs which build up everything..strength stamina and yes even speed

Enjoy this, it is a continual learning process and is really exciting

Go you!

[Singingbee Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, you're right. I am enjoying running, something I never thought I'd say!! 😁

[Bracken2018 Graduate]

Hi,

Firstly, congratulations for arriving at W9 .

You will achieve you goal no matter how long it takes in time .

To be honest , the time doesn’t matter. The fact you jog or run nonstop for 30 minutes is the most important factor.

I’m now at W3 of graduation. I continue to run 5K in my time . The key for me is to take it slowly for the first K.

I missed Michael who kept me on track so decided I needed a voice as I plod along . I selected the free app STRAVA , this tells me every . 5 of my run which motivates me towards my 5K. And, I discovered I can pace myself by listening to music at 148 BPM from PODRUNNER .

You will achieve your graduation badge. You will be thrilled and say “YES “ - I did it

And like me , it doesn’t have to stop there .

You are amazing. 🐾

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

Look at this poll of graduates on this forum healthunlocked.com/couchto5.... and you will see that you are in good company.

Graduation requirements are that you run three thirty minute runs, distance is not important.

Look where you were in W1....................

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

I didn't get below 30 minutes for 5k until my 40th attempt, so don't fret. The 3.6k that you're currently doing seems to be a fairly ball-park figure for the majority of us at the end of week 9.

[Placitasgirl Graduate]

Hi Singingbee,

I completed W9R2 yesterday and covered 4.2k in 30 minutes. I am trying to focus on graduating this week and not on the fact that I'm still little way off 5k, though I know I'll get there.

It's frequently stressed here that the programme is all about running for 30 minutes, and yes, I really am amazed at how far I've come from W1 but even on the app yesterday Jo Wiley was telling me that at the end of the week I'd be running 5k in 30 minutes. I think the 5k is a far bigger target in our heads than running for 30 minutes, so we do tend to focus on that..... after all that is the name of the programme!

My plan is to have 2 days rest now as I have a slightly sore achilles and give it all I've got on Thursday for my final run of the programme. I think I'll then continue the 30 minute runs and have signed up for Parkrun as my goal for when they can resume.

So, well done you and I'll be rooting for you for your final run and perhaps we can share a virtual, socially distanced fist bump as we sign up for our Graduate badges. You've done brilliantly and we'll have a lifelong memory of the COVID-19 lockdown and what we achieved.

Onwards to the finish line....