1st Consolidation Run .... nearly didn’t get up !!

[PlymBorn]

Today was day 1 of consolidation... and everything the administrators say on the pinned posts Is so relevant about motivation and goals.

Alarm went off at 5am and for the 1st time since starting C25K, I actually thought, I might miss this one and do it tomorrow and sleep 💤 after all I don’t have a program to stick to now.

But after 10 mins, I got up, got ready and went outside... lovely cool ☀️ day ... and immediately was pleased I got out. 👍

For the 1st time since W6 (I think), I changed the route and set a 3 week goal ... which is 30 mins or 5K, whichever takes longer. Now I know I did 5K in 30 mins on graduation day, but I was going for it ... so today I took a slower pace and am looking to get used to running 5k and building stamina 💪. After that I’ll do the 10% increase per admin suggestions.

Well it was slower, did it in 31.49mins, but each km was within a cpl of seconds ... and I felt more controlled, better rhythm and breathing so steady ... at the end on the 5 min cool down walk I found my heart rate and breathing was back to normal within a cpl minutes.

All in all, was, to me, one of my best runs ... as in it seemed so easy or rather natural... as if I’ve been doing 30 mins for years !

So, I cannot stress enough how good this program is ... from 1min to feeling comfortable running 30 mins ... and the wobble over motivation is well researched and suggestions for overcoming are in the pinned posts ... they work, so would encourage all to read.

[PlymBorn]

Thank you .. it was probably my most comfortable run ... felt I had more in the tank ... so can save that for later in speed or distance

[SJ60]

Well done! I’m following a week behind you...I love reading how you plan to cope post-programme

[PlymBorn in reply to SJ60]

Thank you ... I’m glad I read all the pinned posts about post graduation... the pitfalls and suggestions are really great

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Great to read !

So pleased it's going well .

Keep it up. (I'm sure you will ) 😁

[PlymBorn in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you ... I’m now looking at long sleeve tops for the colder mornings... so I think I will be keeping it going !

[BowlingT Graduate]

Well done! Sounds like you smashed it

[PlymBorn in reply to BowlingT]

Thank you ! It felt the best !

[Jools2020 Graduate]

What an encouraging post from you! I’ve taken mental notes as I think I might fall into the same trap of not being quite so keen with the pressure being off! For 9 weeks we’ve been sticking to the plan written by others - after graduation we start to write our own plan. Granted, the suggestions are there and we aren’t cast adrift, but it’s up to us and what we want to achieve. Sounds like you know what your plan is. Well done for your first consolidation run! And I LOVE that graduation badge next to your name! Keep running 👏👏👏😀

[PlymBorn in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Jools ... it did feel a bit of a void this morning ... and you’ll know from my past posts I do have “stick ability” tendencies. But now knowing what I want to achieve, I have a new plan replacing the old one !

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

A run worth getting up for then, that’s great

[PlymBorn in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you 🙏.. it definitely was !!

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Hi - I told you!.. see! here we are already looking for our excuses!.. will go tomorrow... It's sneaky isn't it!...

BUT

We both went!... granted mine was not as early as yours!... Well done for kicking your butt and getting out there!

And you're already doing 5k... Well done!..... I will be so chuffed when i hit the 5k mark.

As you say its now about learning to control... and the word consolidation is just right .. i's learning to finesse and consolidate all the good stuff we have learnt!

Will see if i can find the posts on motivation - might be worth a read.... Thanks

[PlymBorn in reply to Tinytears60]

Yes, you told me !! And were correct!

We went ... we did indeed and I’m out again tomorrow morning.

As for the 5k, I’m just fortunate... being nearly 6ft, my gait is larger than most ... I cover a lot more ground than many in one step, so easier for me to achieve.

I wouldn’t fixate on 5k, on one of the pinned posts about post C25K it suggests speed will come with stamina and stamina comes from getting used to running ....

So, you’ve got the determination... you’ve shown you can run 30 mins ... so for consolidation, as Michael would say, “you’ve got this !!”

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

Crikey- at 6ft youre probably done 5k in about 3 strides!

I"m 4ft 11 so need many many more to get to 5k!.....

Thanks superstar!... I"m not overly competitive about 5k ... i will do it but in no hurry - as you say it's about just running and doing the 30 mins...

I was going to go tonight but I had a gin today and i felt a tiny bit tipsy!.. (such a lightweight!) ... I also hadn't eaten or drank much water so ... will go in the morning

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

31:49 is great PlymBorn, I did it in 31:17 yesterday, not a PB but like you I actually enjoyed the run itself, which is important, I’m still out there trying to get there in under 30, then going to focus on increasing distance, I think setting yourself goals is the secret to keeping yourself motivated 👍

[PlymBorn in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you ! Was pleased with this one ... I managed 5k in 30 mins but I was going for it ... now it’s stamina ... and like you increasing distance is a future goal ... and goals set and ready ! Hope you get that 30 min 5k soon ... you can so do it !!

[Couchphoenix Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

Thanks PlymBorn good luck with your future goals 👍