Graduated in June. Long consolidation of 30 minute runs. First 5k today. Yay!

[WeavingWonk]

I really struggled after I graduated. It was really hot here (I live in Philadelphia in the US) and many runs fell short because I just gave up.

As I am very goal oriented I decided to set a goal of nine consecutive 30 minute runs before I could move on. Back to zero if I didn't manage it. It worked. So after those 9 I moved on to a short faster run, a 30 minute run, and 1/2k more than last week's long run.

Today was supposed to be 4.5k, but I was at the crest of the hill when I got there, so I kept on going and got to 5k (44:18). I could NOT be happier! Goal was to do it before turning 55 next week.

Now I plan to consolidate with 3.5/3.5/5k each week for 3-4 weeks and then start on the magic plan to get to 10k.

Onwards and upwards! I may be a slow poke, but I'm running!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on running your first 5K, well done considering the heat, you look so happy in that photograph, I am sure it won't be long before you will be able to run a 5K sub 40 minutes, especially once the weather cools down. 😊 🏃🏾

[WeavingWonk Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks! It was sooo much cooler today, and raining. I think that helped. I may be weird but I quite like running in a light rain.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to WeavingWonk]

You are not weird on running in light rain, many do, there was a runner last week who ran her graduation run in a thunderstorm 😂😂⛈️⛈️🌩

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Well done WW - a great milestone! And in a good time too. Enjoy more of them in future!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Brilliant 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

That first 5k feels great doesn’t it!

Your plan seems similar to mine except for the bridge to 10K 😲. I’m going to work on increasing pace first and seeing if I can fit in running when I stop working from home in September. If I can then I’ll be tempted to do the bridge to 10K. Good luck with it! Enjoy your success today 🏃‍♀️

[WeavingWonk Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Frizzbomb67 - I go back to work next week, but fortunately I am only going in to teach and will otherwise be working at home (including office hours and meetings) so I will have no excuse - the earliest I have to leave the house for work is 2.30pm!

I didn't ever think I would aspire to more than 5k, but as I finished the run today I realized that I would love the 5k to be easier, and the only way to do that is to run further! But along the way I plan to do one short pace run each week doing speed intervals. Probably 20 minutes or so.

I HAVE to fit this in. I feel as though the running is making all the difference in anxiety levels for me in this weird world we are living in.

Good luck with your return to work...

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Thanks. I’m a teacher too but will be back in school full time from September.

Have you tried the C25K+ podcasts yet? I’ve found the speed and stamina ones really useful. The music isn’t great but it really helps with pace.

[WeavingWonk Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

I teach at a university and only have 6 hours in the classroom this term (and 3 online). Still not looking forward to that as I don't imagine the 18 and 19 year olds will be behaving appropriately and keeping healthy.

I tried the speed one, but my natural cadence is 170 steps per minute so it was pretty useless - I turned it off after ten minutes. I couldn't make my legs move that slowly. For pace I need to strengthen my glutes so that each step carries me further, and I think I need to do a shorter run once a week where I push myself to run faster. I'm 6' and all legs so it's quite funny how slow I am despite that my legs are moving relatively quickly!