Glad it’s not just me finding it tough, reading lots of consolidation posts not feeling the motivation. I think we have to realise that C25K has given us something amazing to work towards during this dreadful time and what a journey it has been. C25K has kept me motivated and given me reason. Now I’ve reached that goal and the pandemic is still there, the troubles and stresses are still there it’s so hard to get out and run.
I haven’t been out for about a week having felt miserable with some tough things going on in my life BUT, today I got out and ran, I did something for me and I achieved another 5K in just under 35 mins and it was SO worth it.
Please, don’t give up hope, don’t throw away all the hard work, get out there and run, it’s worth it just for the feel good factor at the end! Looking forward to seeing some more posts from my fellow grads soon?! Come on, you’ve got this!! 💪🏼🏃🏻♀️
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Busylady1
Graduate
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And you did that 5k in a really good time as well 👍👍
I agree consolidation has been difficult for me and my motivation as well but I seem to be getting through it by looking for things that may help. Right now it seems to be Nike and the coaches, which at first I didn’t like but after my last run, I absolutely love them 👍 I also find reading posts on here and Strava help motivate me as well big time 😎
Well done on breaking out of the doldrums. That week off might have done you a lot of good as well.
I found it hard during consolidation - lost my pace, breathing ragged and nearly every run was done with grim determination. But I plugged away until I'd got more runs in my legs and then jumped over to Bridge to 10k to do the plan that gets you running for 60 mins. Somewhere during that I totally clicked into the right pace for me and now I'm absolutely loving it.
Some runs are still stinkers but there are so many great ones that I'm totally motivated to continue.
I totally reccomend the Bridge for post consolidation!!
Thank you. I’m on it but haven’t posted. Don’t feel a keen enough runner yet and love the motivation on here! 😂 It’s like going from junior school to senior school - think I’ll drag that year 6 out a little longer 🤣
They are pretty impressive - I agree. But they are also a lovely welcoming group so when you are ready then don't be shy about posting. I felt exactly the same but they made me feel really welcome.
Hi. Thanks for posting. So glad you got out today and has a good run. Fabulous. Good motivation for all of us when we’re feeling down. Keep it up - you’re worth it. 💪👍😀
Good to hear from you! I hope you're OK and life is good.
Well done on getting out and achieving a sub 35 5k that is superb 🎉
I made it out today too but garmin app under maintenance so I've to wait patiently for my data upload... I think I hit 5.2k tho so chuffed with that but forgot my knee brace so now sitting with an ice pack!
My new goal is to reach 6k. I have the magic 10k plan which I am hoping to start soon but setting my own wee goal of gradually building up to 6k first. I'm thinking if I focus on distance instead of pace it may stop me putting pressure on myself to improve my times and slow down... Xx
Thanks! All sounds great, 5.2K is really good, I’ve just been trying to better my time, I’d like to do 5K in 30 mins before running further if possible, just lacking a bit of motivation but I’ll get there! 💪🏼👍🏼😊
LOL yes I've also set a sub 33:30 5k as my other goal... and altho I'm trying to tell myself the times dont matter I think I'll always be a number cruncher 😂 I'm finding dropping my goal/ PB by 30 secs helps break it down and makes it more achievable so it keeps me motivated to get out and give it a go. Like you my long term goal is a sub 30 5k but I'm not in a hurry to get there and just trying to enjoy the runs.
That’s a fantastic time! I’ve done 2 consolidation runs and at last look I was only hitting 3.6km in 30 minutes. My new goal is the 5k but it feels so far off. Mind you, I remind myself of the first 90 second run and think maybe anything is possible 😃
Thanks! Exactly! Who’d have thought we’d have come this far?! You’re doing so well so keep it up. Running for 30 mins in itself is brilliant, I have to keep telling myself that so any increase in the distance will be just amazing! 💪🏼😊
Ah thanks so much! I love a bit of bling too so let me know about that one!! 😂 I just saw a few grads hadn’t posted in a while so hope this motivates them to get back in the game! 💪🏼🤞🏼🏃🏻♀️
Thanks for that link it looks like a great idea! I haven’t been getting out running as much as I should but have some leave coming up so it would be a great time to really get going again and a bit of bling and a new top would be great motivation 🏅
I'm definitely going to do it!.. sometimes you get running vests too... You pay £10-00 but set your challenge.... I'm so tempted to work my way through .... starting with easy 5 miles ...need to read it properly and see if its per week.. per month etc but it looks fab!.. Definitely good for me!... Tiny tears loves a bit of bling!
I'm totally in tune with your post, gosh it does ring true for me, harder to motivate myself to get out and finding excuses. I've been consolidating for 3 and a half weeks, keeping up the 3 per week and running 5k (or a little over) each time but boy, it hasn't gotten any easier. You have done really well getting your time down, I'm still completing around 38 minutes and some days I feel like I'm downright dragging my feet round! I switch routes a lot, I think I'm reluctant to do harder hilly routes (again) but there aren't any flat routes where I live. Maybe a change of scenery and a nice flat tollpath is the tonic I need. Keep up the good stamina, and thanks for posting.
Wow well done you managing 3 runs per week!! My body likes to give me a gentle reminder to slow it down and so far I'm only managing 2 5k runs per week.
Nah I'd say if you can run, then do it and you're smashing it too! My body reminders come in the shape of struggling to make my legs go up and down the stairs so im physically unable to run even if I want to!
Wow very inspiring. 5k in 35mins and with time off, impressive 🎉🎉. But remember in the midst of it all, the running is your joy, remember to take the time for you 🏃♀️😊
Well done for getting out again- yaaaaaay!!! I was the same after graduation- I did the ‘doggie dash 5k’ over on the virtual racing site ( basically you get a medal as does your pooch for doing 5k) as my final run, and then I faffed about for about 2 weeks doing anything from 20 to 35 minute runs. Decided I needed a plan if I was to keep going so started the 10k plan and am loving ticking off each run😂😂😂- I will finish that one in 3 weeks but I think by then I will have got myself into a nice little groove of running a few times a week just because I can!! I mean, us ladies need an excuse for having to buy more sweaty Betty gear, don’t we!!! I know you don’t use strava but the little grad group of us on there are spurring each other on which helps. Keep at it and I will join you soon for the 5k in 30 quest😀
Thanks for such a fab post! I’m sorry to hear you have some tough things going on. I can totally agree with what you’ve said and we all need to keep going with this! You’re doing fabulously well with that time!!
Well done ! Think your post hits the point quite nicely about ... what next after C25K and motivation... felt it the same about going out for 1st consolidation run.
I too was struggling with motivation to carry on after reaching 5 k. My daughter has challenged me to do 26x5k before the end of the year. I left it for about 3 weeks not running then started again and really struggled which added to my motivation to keep running regularly otherwise it’s just too hard! Now done my 7th 5 k and feel ready to start gently increasing the distance and/ or speed.
Oh wow well done! You’ve really got something to aim for. I think that’s the problem though, there’s no real shared target. The buzz of week 9 and graduation is incredible but then it’s a little dead. Both of my girls are usually in panto each year and it’s the same when they finish the run, it’s like, what now?! 😞
Thanks Busylady 1 - I so echo your thoughts - I’m totally with you on - where’s my motivation gone.
We have achieved, through this amazing programme, the ability to get out there and run now it’s up to us to continue. We won’t throw away all our hard work - we just need to believe we can do this - tough as some runs can be. Let’s keep on running 🏃🏼♀️🏃♂️🤸🏻♂️👏🥳🤩
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First consolidation run
Still going strong
Why I run
Week 5 Run 1
Week 9 Run 3 Graduation Day 🎉
