Another Consolidation Run

[Papillon17]

A hot and breezy night tonight. Managed a 5k in 27.01 mins not as fast as the last few but still relatively happy with the result. I hope your all staying fit and healthy and managing to run.

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

WOW! that is one hell of a time!..... I can only dream of a time like that...but hey ho... I"m still learning and on week 6..... Well done you!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

In time you will find improvements believe me. I completed C25k in March 2019. I think I managed a 5k in 33 mins when I started and times are improving. Carry on what your doing, loads of fluids and run slowly you will do this.

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thanks for the advice- I never thought i would get past week 1 but here i am.. so chuffed and going at my own pace.... it's a brilliant programme

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

You stick with it I went through it yes I do agility so could run for up to a minute but running and continuously talking to your dog I would come out the ring totally knackered. Doing this has helped so much can now come out of the ring and still talk. I wanted to graduate by the time I was 58 as I lost my dad at 58. I did it the day after rand have continued since.

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

losing a parent is hard.... I know... and i imagine the commitment and effort to continue with this has also, at times been difficult.... <3

I'm loving it... even though its sometimes challenging.. sense of achievement is brilliant!...

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Well since completing the C25K I have managed various distances and have managed a practice half marathon and an official half in memory of my mum for the hospice she was in. I managed that less than a year after graduation. You follow the programme and you will run for 30 mins and who knows what distance you will or can manage. Whilst doing the C25K it is about the running for the 30 mins, the distance will come later. Are you on Strava?

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

not on Strava but I've been told about it.....

You've done great - i read your accomplishments on your page... great stuff!.. I think i will manage the 30 mins before the 5k distance but as you say ... it will come!...

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you and your doing well over half way through. Stick with it. Good luck.

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thank you - will keep posting and you can stay with me on the journey

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Oh I will if you want any advice just message will try and offer it up as been there and done that.

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thanks so much - appreciated... and will be sure to message x

[Pookypal Graduate]

Well done you, what a great time. I ran run 2 of week 8 this evening but left merry at home as it was warm. I was a bit concerned that without her I might not do as well and find it hard to keep going, so was really pleased to find that my time was the same 🥵🏃‍♀️

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Pookypal]

Well done I walk my oldies first then go for my own run afterwards. Me I run alone, music 🎧 and the elements.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I’ve yet to have a more leisurely 27 minuter... anywhere around there still hurts 🤣. Nice run!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UnfitNoMore just seems to becoming naturally now. Don’t seem to be able to run slow now. I think oh I am going slower check results at end and there is hardly any difference.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Some smooth runs feel slow for some reason, I guess because there’s no struggle and push... runs I think are quick tend not to be, and both my fastest 5k and 10k were in a “slow” 10 miler... if I deliberately go for anywhere near my 5k PB it’s anything but comfortable 🤷‍♂️

Your times are simply amazing... and maybe as your comfortable continues to become quicker you’ll see similar results for a little while longer. Happy running.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I will say there was a long time between improvements but they seem to becoming thick and fast at present. Although my slowest 5k was 35 mins so probably was going to be a long while before an improvement began to show.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Makes sense... if you think of the pros, they have a couple of short seasons per year where they’re at their best and go faster week after week... if they time it right they win big medals. We must have a similar thing happening... how long we can maintain top form for before dropping and working up again I don’t know, but in those guys it’s maybe six weeks.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Will just keep running once or twice a week and expect to stabilise again for a while. Good luck with the running.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thanks... keep having fun out there!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Another excellent run and time for you Papillon17, I am another of those runners who can only dream of getting a sub-30-minute 5K time, my PB is 30.55 and I ran 30.56 when the temperature was -6C last winter, but as long as I can run sub 35 minutes I am a happy runner.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Well done you my times have reduced over the last few weeks but have now been running since graduation for 15 months now.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

I graduated exactly two years ago last Thursday, I celebrated that run by running my 9th 10K, the time of my first 5K was 34.24 which I ran about 4 months after graduating, my 5K time last Saturday for my 14th Virtual and 1st (not) parkrun was 33.30, however on the results page of the not parkrun my age grade was a passable 55.54%.

[AAK1423 Graduate]

Well done! Graduated 2 weeks ago and my best time was Wk 9R1, 5.05km in 30 minutes but haven't achieved anything like that since. Managing 5K in about 38-40 minutes now which I am more than happy with. Think 5K in less than 30 mind is a distant dream for me it amazing for you! Keep up the fantastic pace and I'll keep dreaming. 😁😴😴Xx

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to AAK1423]

Well done for completing it the improvement times have come after a load of consolidation runs. I think you will see improvements after a awhile. Good luck keep running hope you celebrated.

[MrsSchnauzerSmith Graduate]

Crikey- you’re fast!!!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to MrsSchnauzerSmith]

Thanks but it’s after 15 months following graduation and running probably once or twice a week. Good luck with your running.

[Amberessence Graduate]

Well done on distance in that time, your pace is great. I’m consolidating too but I’ve found that I’ve struggled to run for 30mins on the last few occasions- I was determined to complete the C25k but since finishing I seem to have lost my mojo. I’m planning in listening to Jo, on the last run again on Thursday when I run again. #keep on running

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Amberessence]

Thank you. I did around 40 runs listening to Laura and week 9 Run 3 just for the reassurance of her voice and the time. Now just run with sound on Strava and my music. I have been running a regular route so know roughly where my distances are. Good with your running. Always found my music helped me.

[CaptFrey Graduate]

That’s super epic. I am still no where near 5k but continue to consolidate the heck Out my runs. Was too warm at 5.30 this morning!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

Well done I consolidated over many runs, I sometimes upped the distance and did gradually get to 10 miles just before the half marathon I did in March 2020 but since then the furthest I have run is 4.5 and the last I don’t know how many I have concentrated on 3.2 miles. In doing this I have seen my times come down on a regular occurrence to under 27 mins so must be doing something right even in all this heat. If exceptionally hot I take a cool down towel wrapped round the neck it helps keep the temperature down whilst running. menkind.co.uk/stay-cool-ice... although I have seen them cheaper than this.

[rhinos1968 Graduate]

Excellent time Papillon17. I'm still trying to hit that 5k in 30 minutes mark. Any tips on pace?

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to rhinos1968]

Thank you. I have undertaken a number of runs since graduation, I try and stick with same route so sort of know where next countdown marker is in the mind. I run alone with music and Strava voice messages sounding out time and distance and just try and enjoy my self alone. The pace has picked up over last few runs however I only run once or twice a week and I never force my self to go. I only go if I feel I want a run. The last few weeks have been on Monday’s and Wednesdays. Just stick with it I have never done anything else other than run so no sprinting weights just go and run. I am not sure if that helps but I am sure your improvements will come in time.

[rhinos1968 Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Thank you. Twice a week is about what l run now so will just keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully I'll break it

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to rhinos1968]

Good luck and enjoy.

[Fionamags Graduate]

Great time - you are a superstar!!! I'm afraid we'll have to kick you out of Team Snail - its the Gazelles for you!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thanks Fionamags no leave me in Team Snail. I think I have an advantage over a lot of the group in that I only wanted to get fit I didn’t have other issues such as needing to lose weight or eating healthy as the eating I was already doing. The loss of weight I did experience was a worry as I did not need to but being on the programme and then continuing the running after did mean 22lb did go so was checked out for it.

[Fionamags Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Gosh that reminds me of my youth. I used to hover around v slim to underweight and I could lose very easily if I wasn't careful. But then I was very active and didn't eat as much as I do now. I'm sure you'll be fine but maybe you need to just make sure you eat a bit more on running days - or get a high cal snack bar??

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

I believe I have stabilised now so being careful although home working there is loads more drink now. Was told by docs when being checked I was back at the weight I was in the 70’s .

[Fionamags Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

Wow - that's great! Much healthier to be on the slim side. Unfortunately I'm needing to shift a few pounds but portion control and running should chip away at it.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

I am sure it will. Keep at it. Although being at my weight as the 70’s is playing havoc with the clothes as stuck in between sizes now so belt has to be tighter.