Educating Enid - Graduation and consolidation ... - Couch to 5K

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Educating Enid - Graduation and consolidation revisited: Complete 30 minute runs three times a week!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduate
β€’43 Replies

Taking my inner ego, Enid, along with the C25K journey this time has built more awareness of my "self". When I left her behind, last time through, she was still there with all her / my issues when I returned from a run. This time I have taken time to listen and process my thoughts. Rather than running from something I spent time thinking how I was going to deal with things. You can do a lot of thinking in 30 minutes.

I have thoroughly enjoyed repeating the programme and recommend it to any one who has had a break. I feel stronger and fitter.

Next step? I will have to "think" about it. πŸ€”πŸ˜ŽπŸ‘πŸ»

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Nilsam profile image
Nilsam
Graduate
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43 Replies
β€’

Woohoo πŸ₯³ Nilsam and Enid !! I am so delighted to read this post -

πŸŽ“Graduation mark 2πŸŽ“ πŸ˜†

I hope you will β€œthink” about coming over the Bridge to 10k and joining your old VRBs on the next step of our journeys 😊.

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Ha ha...I have just joined and had a look at the quest etc. Trying to decide whether to push on distance or pace etc. Waiting for bone density scan results and thought I might stay on the current pace until I get the all clear. Great to hear from you. πŸ’ͺπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»

β€’ in reply toNilsam

There’s many options to choose from. .... I did roseabi’s wonderful plan to get me to 5k, then moved onto the time version of The Magic Plan to reach 60 minutes. I loved that version of the plan. I then slotted into the distance version at week 4 and I’m now in week 5 and working towards that 10k. (hope that makes sense πŸ˜•!). Going from one plan into the other has been a gentle progression and each step has felt achievable. I have become completely hooked. 😊

There are a few of us on the LEJOG virtual runs too (that’s Lands End to John O’Groats and not French as I first thought πŸ˜‚πŸ™„ ).

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Thanks Delly-dot. I love the LEJOG idea and was having a look at that. I am running the 5k ok but it takes 37 mins not 30 so I think it would be the time increase approach. Occasionally doing 40 mins to mix things up when I have the time.

I appreciate the encouragement and I think being part of the community again would help. πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘€πŸ‘πŸΌ

β€’ in reply toNilsam

I did my first 5k in 40 mins but now around 36. The time version is a great first step ........ onto the next reply below.......

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Did you join LEJOG through the conqueror or the virtual mission?

β€’ in reply toNilsam

...... πŸ˜‚ I love this as I haven’t a clue what you are on about!!!??? But I’ll take a guess.......

It’s the β€œRun End to End” version of the challenge.

Have I guessed correctly πŸ˜‰

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Thank you...I think autocorrect did it's deed as well. Brilliant I will have a look at that version. There are quite a few out there. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ˜˜

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Ha, I read this quickly and hoped it was β€˜learn French whilst running’ πŸ˜‚

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toacountrycabbage

Oh yes πŸ€£πŸ€”Why not...5 words a day whilst we jog along...courir = to run.

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

TrΓ¨s bon idΓ©e!πŸ‘ŒπŸΌ

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toacountrycabbage

πŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Fionamags profile image
FionamagsGraduate

Hooray on your second graduation!!!! Now consolidation and *ahem* you have a lot of buddies over on the Bridge.... Just saying πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‰

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toFionamags

I know...I feel guilty every time I see you all post. You are all doing brilliantly and I am very tempted. As I said to Delly-dot above, just waiting on some advice on whether to push on. (But then again...no harm in reading up in preparation πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘πŸΌ.)

apatsyf profile image
apatsyfGraduate

Well done Nilsam and Enid on your second graduation- good to see you BOTH in your pictures enjoying your runs. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈIt's great you are now able to really think about things on your runs and not just think about surviving the next 5 minutes!! Sounds like we are both at about the same stage, so I will be interested to see what your next step is...... Congratulations again. Hooray! πŸ’­πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ“πŸ₯‚πŸ€—πŸ’ͺπŸŽ‰πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toapatsyf

Hey, that's brilliant, Apatsyf. Are you thinking of bridge to 10k too? It was good redoing it. Totally different from first time round. But it surprised me how hard some of the early runs were 🀣. Learning about breathing techniques helped. I will look out for your posts. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘€

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done on your 2nd Gaduation Nilsam. I am glad you found it much easier this time. You had the confidence that you had achieved it before.

After your 3 weeks consolidation, the world’s your oyster. It very much depends on how much time you can dedicate to running.

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toDexy5

Hi Dexy5. Indeed. I have enjoyed the 3 x 30+ consolidation runs and it has allowed me to focus. I was tempted to go out every day but have sort alternative activity to strengthen the old bones instead. I will see what I am advised next month. Thank you for your encouragement. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

Good luck with your scan Results. We’ve missed your paintings.

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toDexy5

Thank you, much appreciated. πŸ‘©πŸΌβ€πŸŽ¨πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ‘πŸ»

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

Oh Nilsam it is good to have you back, along with Enid, but re-calibrated! I was wondering how you were getting on!

Yes, take your time to think!

I'm mainly posting on bridge to 10k and did a lot of thinking too! About the role running plays in life, what I wanted to do, how I wanted to run - plans/no plans etc. Quite a bit of thinking, some of it done on the forum!

I do hope you are enjoying your runs as a second time graduate. Do let us know how you are getting on. Running is an interesting thing, it's not all about the exercise is it!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toRoxdog

Great to hear from you, Roxdog. I can see I need to go back and read your posts too. It will be interesting when life gets more lively too. Hopefully a bit of paid work πŸ€”. Until then perhaps too much time contemplating my navel. πŸ§˜πŸΌβ€β™€οΈGood to get outside and feel like you are achieving something. Tale care. I will let you know the outcome. πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘πŸ»

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

Do come over to the bridge, it's lovely there! You don't have to commit to a plan, it doesn't pressure you, just a lot of post ct5k graduates sharing experiences and chewing the cud!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toRoxdog

That is brilliant, Roxdog. Thank you. On that basis I am over with you and the old gang. πŸ‘­ πŸ‘πŸ»

Nilsam and Enid, I was wondering how you were, how lovely to see you back and graduating all over again., many congratulations. πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈπŸ₯³πŸ₯‚πŸ’

I have missed your posts and those lovely paintings. I think it’s completely fine to not post for a while, we can’t always be upbeat and in an engaging space, sometimes we just need a break, I know I have. I’m just repeating what others have said but whatever your next step whenever you’re ready your VRB’s are here and over on the bridge πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈπŸ€—

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply to

That is brilliant, JorgeRuns. Thank you. Decision made...if there is no pressure and it sounds like fun...I am in. πŸ‘­πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate

Oh well done!!! It’s great to see your pictures again! And reading about your Graduation πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ“ No 2 ! Brilliant! Looking forward to what Enid will do during graduation! Huge congratulations πŸ₯³ πŸŽ‰ 🎊 πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ’ͺπŸ¦΅πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toCBDB

Thanks CBDB. I have just made the decision to hop over the bridge but will hang on for a while until I get medical advice as to which plan or strategy I take with my running. Thank you so much for the support. I love this forum and it's community. πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘πŸΌ

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

Me too! I am in both forums still 🀫! Can’t let go! And added the Str & Flex forum, but I think you are on that one as well!

Good luck and have fun deciding how to spend your consolidation period. I chose to do the NHS 12 week fitness programme. It has the 9 week C25k in it, which I just replaced with 30min runs increasing slowly to 60. But to get to know the different workouts was great.

Hope you find a plan that gives you as much fun as my plan gave me!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toCBDB

Thank you so much for your encouragement. πŸ‘­πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Wenderwoo profile image
WenderwooGraduate

Good to see you Nilsam. Many congratulations on graduation x 2, to you and Enid. You speak very wisely and it sounds like the second experience has been good for the mind as well as the body, and good for Enid too! I hope to follow in your footsteps in the not to distant future.

🍾πŸ₯‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽŠπŸ…πŸ‘πŸ˜˜

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toWenderwoo

Oh that would be wonderful to hear. You inspired and supported me first time through. I hope you are able to get out and run regularly again soon. πŸ‘­πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Eightpaws profile image
EightpawsGraduate

Congratulations on your second graduation! (sorry for delay on reading your post) I'd also been wondering where you two had gone. Enjoy your consolidating.

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toEightpaws

Hi Eightpaws. Thank you so much. It is strange isn't it...when the programme finishes. I have been reading Bridge to 10k posts and playing with different runs. Take care and thank you again. πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘πŸΌ

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Congrats on the graduation! ⭐️ Pleased to hear I’m not the only person to name my β€˜other half.’ She’s called Pam 😜

Love your paintings πŸ’› Illustration is my dream career!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toacountrycabbage

Thank you so much. Oh and me too... I am just playing. I love the character "Pam" ...you could sketch her out and we can exchange ideas. πŸ‘€πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈHappy running. Take care.

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

Oh gosh, I can’t imagine what she’d look like..! 🀣 Something to think about.. ☺️

You too, happy running 😊

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduate

For some reason I have missed your posts? Usually they pop up on my feed.. and I just thought today β€˜whatever has happened to Nilsam?’ So delighted to hear you have made it! Such good news. Echo Hidden do come and join us on Bridge to 10k. Graduated today and boy was it hard! Won’t do that again in a hurry. I have missed your wonderful drawings. How is your arm?

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toTimotea

Timotea, lovely to hear from you. I am reading posts on Bridge to 10k and doing the initial runs of ju jus plan whilst I wait for scan results. (Probably no more than I was doing under "consolidation" but more structured and with an aim.

Wrist did set a bit wonky but fine, thank you. I am working on my strength with weights but won't be doing hand stands. πŸ€ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Congratulations on your 10k graduation...very pleased for you. I look forward to reading your posts ...over the bridge. πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»πŸ‘€πŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

Thanks Nilsam! So nice to have you back in the fold again! Have to say that today’s run has left me pooped out rather than elated!

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toTimotea

Sorry to hear that, Timotea. Maybe revisiting 45 - 50 mins runs and building back up again, now that you "know" you can do it, may help.

Main thing is to happily run injury free though. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduateβ€’ in reply toNilsam

I think you are right. Will definitely cut back a bit for a while. πŸ˜₯

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduateβ€’ in reply toTimotea

πŸ’ͺπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ‘πŸΌ

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