First consolidation run and first virtual 5k

[Blackberrypie]

Legs were still feeling a bit tired from Thursday's graduation run (and some strengthening work in between) but I was really keen not to lose the momentum from C25k, so I decided that I would go out but take it nice and steady tonight, aiming for a long run training pace.

Overall it turned out to be probably my toughest run so far! The weather was drizzly and a bit muggy, and generally everything was grey and dark, so I avoided my usual tracks to spend more time on lit pavements., which wasn't as nice. It felt odd to be out there without Jo for the first time, and even odder when my headphones' battery died so I didn't have music either. And shortly after that Nike run club stopped showing my my distance covered and I couldn't work out how to get it back on the hoof. Overall it felt a bit of a slog on tired legs (my calves in particular were complaining loudly), and I did wonder about stopping and walking back, but about the point I was thinking I had probably done enough and shouldn't push further, I finally got the alert that I'd completed my third 5k - even if my slowest by some way, still another 5k of running under my feet.

I think I need to give myself an extra rest day or two before my next run as I've been working very hard. But not too many days off, don't want to get out of this good habit!

[Jnubster Graduate]

Congratulations on your graduation first and foremost!! 👏🏻Well done!

I graduated 2 weeks ago and have run every other day so far! My first few runs without Jo were weird & I missed her 🙈 now I think I’ve found my way a little & am enjoying the continuing journey.

Rest days are there to recover and recharge, I definitely need my rest day in between 💪🏼

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to Jnubster]

Thanks, it is an odd feeling being off the programme but good to hear you got used to it!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Well done on your recent graduation Blackberrypie !🙂👍👏 The temperature may have dropped but it's still very humid out there, making our runs feel so much harder! Congrats on another 5K and enjoy that extra rest day - well deserved! 🙂

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks ! I had thought the cooler weather would be easier but the lingering humidity does make a difference.

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

Great running to get another 5k under your belt👍😀 You've earned that rest so put your feet up 😂🍷😀

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to MontyMooDog]

Thanks! Today we have a family walk so not entirely feet up but still gentler on my hardworking legs!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Sounds like you are doing really well, congratulations on graduating , it’s tough running in this weather, a couple of days rest never harms anyone,

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, I think you're right

[SammiN3 Graduate]

Congratulations🎉 I take extra rest days now too, I really struggle without them. Also had technology failure too. Im not a fan of running without distraction, hopefully I will in the future but it feels tougher right now!

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to SammiN3]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[JoHealth Graduate]

Oh dear sounds like you didn’t get off to a good start today,

Hope your day got better and you have well and Truly smashed the 5k.

Well done on that again! Whoop!! 🥳🤩

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to JoHealth]

Yes, it's good to know that even when I'm not in ideal conditions I can still manage a 5k!

[Comaltdel Graduate]

That’s challenging on so many levels... tech failure is annoying and I really don’t like hearing my own breathing without any distractions. It seems to make it tougher somehow. I’d love to just run and hear the birds etc but I’m not Zen enough yet! Also trying to ignore your body’s aches and niggles is tricky. One doesn’t want to ignore them completely just in case, but it’s amazing how they disperse after a few minutes usually. I’m not so diligent with my post run stretches and really need to discipline myself to do them ASAP I get thru the front door. Good luck with the ongoing runs. I have C3 tomorrow to anticipate 😃

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

If you try the podcasts, you still have Laura with you. I graduated about 3 weeks ago and now I run every other day using either the consolidation or stamina podcast with Laura guiding me and my pace. I find it really helpful and I don't mind the music which I know lots don't. Worth a try.

[58soon]

Well done on pushing through and getting to 5k. I’ve become a fan of 2 rest days.... after 2 days I seem to feel stronger, feel more determined (probably as there’s a bit of guilt there for sneaking in an additional day off) and less aches & pains. My last 5k turned into my first 6k without realising! I’ve done about 5 consolidation runs since graduating, some really tough, some not so. But I don’t feel ready to start JuJu’s magic plan yet. Do you?

[Neverhare Graduate in reply to 58soon]

I seem to be taking more and more rest days lately, but funnily enough it hasn't affected my ability to run for 30 minutes. Having a major birthday seems to have affected my thought processes so it's definitely a mental thing . I know we have to set goals so mine is, in September I will do Laura's speed and stamina podcasts, and see how I get on.

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to Neverhare]

Sounds like a good plan, good luck!

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to 58soon]

I was quite happy running alternate days at the start of C25K but agree that the second rest day seems to help. I'm hoping that I'll be ready to join the magic plan group in September if consolidation is going well - I'm thinking mixing up the distances might be a good thing. Not sure about the podcasts as I am quite picky about my music!

[Neverhare Graduate]

Well done, it can be muggy in the cloud, and it's so much easier with a bit of a light breeze.

I've just done my 14th consolidation run and still don't quite feel ready to go back to a trainer to push on. I've downloaded Laura's next steps and it's lurking on my iPod waiting for me!

At the moment I am just enjoying running to my own playlist revisiting very old songs that I used to love to dance to, some good old rock that keeps me going

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to Neverhare]

The right music definitely helps!

[Littleoyellow Graduate]

Hi Blackberry pie 😁 and congrats on graduating and doing 5k you are doing great 👏 I am having similar experiences and have just been out for my first run since Tuesday eek! Good reasons but I was worried my running would take a hit 😬 I really wanted to do 5k but went out with an open mind. I too fight with the technology but know that I had a rewarding 5.75 k including warm up walk, 47.44 mins, to the soundtrack of Dirty Dancing 😁😂 no records broken but forging on trying to add 10% to my 5k this week- small gains 👍 congrats again and keep on going 🏃‍♀️👏