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

[Nilsam]

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. 🤔😎👍🏻

[Hidden]

Woohoo 🥳 Nilsam and Enid !! I am so delighted to read this post -

🎓Graduation mark 2🎓 😆

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

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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. 💪👍🏻👩‍💻

[Hidden in reply to Nilsam]

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 😕!). 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 😂🙄 ).

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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. 👩‍💻👀👍🏼

[Hidden in reply to Nilsam]

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 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Nilsam]

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

It’s the “Run End to End” version of the challenge.

Have I guessed correctly 😉

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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. 👍🏻🙋🏻‍♀️😘

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ha, I read this quickly and hoped it was ‘learn French whilst running’ 😂

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Oh yes 🤣🤔Why not...5 words a day whilst we jog along...courir = to run.

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

Très bon idée!👌🏼

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

[Fionamags Graduate]

Hooray on your second graduation!!!! Now consolidation and *ahem* you have a lot of buddies over on the Bridge.... Just saying 😇😉

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

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 👩‍💻👍🏼.)

[apatsyf Graduate]

Well done Nilsam and Enid on your second graduation- good to see you BOTH in your pictures enjoying your runs. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️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! 💭👩‍🎓🥂🤗💪🎉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to apatsyf]

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. 👍🏻👩‍💻👀

[Dexy5 Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

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. 👍🏻👩‍💻

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

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

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you, much appreciated. 👩🏼‍🎨👩‍💻🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏻

[Roxdog Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

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 🤔. Until then perhaps too much time contemplating my navel. 🧘🏼‍♀️Good to get outside and feel like you are achieving something. Tale care. I will let you know the outcome. 🙋🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️👩‍💻👍🏻

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

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 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

That is brilliant, Roxdog. Thank you. On that basis I am over with you and the old gang. 👭 👍🏻

[Hidden]

Nilsam and Enid, I was wondering how you were, how lovely to see you back and graduating all over again., many congratulations. 🤸‍♀️🥳🥂💐

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 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤗

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That is brilliant, JorgeRuns. Thank you. Decision made...if there is no pressure and it sounds like fun...I am in. 👭👍🏻👩‍💻

[CBDB Ambassador]

Oh well done!!! It’s great to see your pictures again! And reading about your Graduation 👩‍🎓 No 2 ! Brilliant! Looking forward to what Enid will do during graduation! Huge congratulations 🥳 🎉 🎊 👍🏼💪🦵🏃‍♀️

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to CBDB]

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. 👩‍💻👍🏼

[CBDB Ambassador in reply to Nilsam]

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 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. 👭👍🏻🙋🏻‍♀️

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

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.

🍾🥂🎉🎊🏅👍😘

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

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. 👭👩‍💻🏃🏻‍♀️

[Eightpaws Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to Eightpaws]

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. 🏃🏻‍♀️👍🏻👩‍💻👍🏼

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

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

Love your paintings 💛 Illustration is my dream career!

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

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. 👀🏃🏻‍♀️Happy running. Take care.

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

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

You too, happy running 😊

[Timotea Graduate]

For some reason I have missed your posts? Usually they pop up on my feed.. and I just thought today ‘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 Graduate in reply to Timotea]

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. 🤸🏻‍♀️

Congratulations on your 10k graduation...very pleased for you. I look forward to reading your posts ...over the bridge. 👩‍💻👀👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️

[Timotea Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

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 Graduate in reply to Timotea]

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. 👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

[Timotea Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

I think you are right. Will definitely cut back a bit for a while. 😥

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Timotea]

💪👍🏻🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏼