Consolidation Run 1: So, after 3 rest days... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,174 members159,523 posts

Consolidation Run 1

13 Replies

So, after 3 rest days (which were largely spent on hands and knees sanding floorboards in the attic room), I decided today was the day for my first post-graduation run.

In preparation I spent the first 40 minutes or so after getting out of bed on my hands and knees wax-oiling the aforementioned floorboards and then set out on my five minute warm up walk. Decided to not have a coach with me, just my playlist (about 130 tunes so still hearing different songs on each run) and Strava announcements every 0.5k.

My goal was to complete 5k even if I went beyond 30 minutes.

All going well but 2k in and it started raining - a first for me, running in the rain, but I soon got used to it and was thankful it kept me cooler than usual and I think this helped me complete the 5k in 33 mins 14 seconds, 50 seconds faster than my graduation run. I’m really pleased with this progress and looking forward to my next run.

I have a question for you folks - 2 or 3 runs a week? My aim is to maintain the current level of fitness I have achieved rather than run a marathon so which would be better?

13 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Congratulations on that 5K run, ran in 33.14 which is the EXACT time that I ran a 5K on Saturday, I am glad that you are enjoying your running, since I graduated from C25K and after I ran 6/30 minute consolidation runs over 2 weeks I run twice a week, but if you wish to run 3 times a week that is fine.

in reply toAlMorr

Thanks for this AlMorr. Food for thought.

paulb68 profile image
paulb68Graduate

Good for you great achievement. I also graduated a few weeks ago. I've been running 3 times a weeks since, during the week only doing 3-3.5k and a longer run on a Sunday yesterday I did 5.5k in 35 minutes

My aim is to try and gain more speed on shorter runs and weekly longer distance to extend time and hopefully get up to the hour mark by end of year.

That's the plan anyway so far so good

in reply topaulb68

Thanks paulb68. Interesting plan. I’m gonna have to get my thinking cap on.

Kish247 profile image
Kish247Graduate

I think you should run a minimum of 2 times a week if you want to keep up the habit. Also mixing up the distances and durations will also keep things interesting..

On Saturday morning, I set off for my 4km run (only having ran for 30 minutes the previous Saturday and 2km on Monday) and I ended up having my fastest 4km by 20 seconds! With our breaks from running, our bodies are obviously in need of the break if we are returning and beating records.

in reply toKish247

Thanks Kish247 - agree on the twice a week minimum.

I'm going to stick to 3 times a week for now or at least that's the plan...but won't beat myself up if I only get out for two. I need to improve on my fitness a lot though yet so I need to do a bit more for now

in reply to

Thanks for this Burkey46. I think your attitude is spot on. Good luck with your running.

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Well done on your run, I love your high-speed cows ☺️

I think Consolidation is still going to be a massive learning curve.

I’m with Burkey and I’m not fussed if 3 becomes two; fitness will remain, it will give me more energy and hopefully it will keep me champing at the bit to get out there/motivation-wise. I don’t want this to ever become too much of a chore where I beat myself up for not sticking to a plan.

in reply toacountrycabbage

I love the cows as well - not sure if it comes over in the photo but they were lying on their breakfast, a line of hay put out by the farmer!

I can feel myself falling in line with you and Burkey. I don’t like beating myself up 😉

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to

Yep - pointless. Look how much we’ve all achieved? Be proud always!

Ha, no doubt they were trying to keep their breakfast dry..! 😁

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduate

I think 2 or 3 really depending on how you feel . I think the rest days remain really important as we are still all quite new to this , The guide sent by Iannodatruffe is worth reading and rereading I think , it will keep us on the straight and narrow and away from the injury couch 👌😂

For me the key is to keep enjoying it , if I don’t I know I will stop and I really don’t want to do that .

So I will be starting to mix up the runs soon too in order to keep things fresh . A couple shorter, then long etc.

Just keep getting out there 👌🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

Nice cows 👌 and a lovely bit of Dry Stane Dykeing too 🙂

in reply toRacingintheStreet

2 to 3 it’s going to be. Tbh I haven’t read the guide - yet! Maybe I should!!

Yeah kyes and walling good.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Consolidation run week 1 run 1

So tonight was my first consolidation run, I chose not to have it guided with a coach but try teach...
sandiecullip profile image
Graduate

Consolidation Run 1 - Enjoyed that!!!

Wow, this is long, apologies :) Consolidation Run feels weird to type :D After having what wasn't...
Kish247 profile image
Graduate

First Consolidation Run

My first post C25K run. I didn’t manage 5k in any of the three W9 runs, so wanted to complete 5k...
Buzzybeeze profile image
Graduate

Late Christmas Present :)

Went out this morning and completed the 3rd run of week 9 :) This was my second attempt at run 3...
Brunelphil profile image

Wk 9 - run 3

This is my first post but I have been avidly reading others posts for the last 9 weeks whilst I...
Jlib001 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.