First run after graduation

[Tendance]

As much as I think the plan is amazing I felt relief to run without it. I have a fairly new circular route not quite long enough for the end of C25K so I had faffed around making it longer on the plan. Today I decided to just run the route which I have discovered is unfortunately only 20 mins but....I managed 5.58, 6.01 and 5.59 for the first 3k which I am super happy with.

I will try something else next time to get the distance up but feeling pretty happy that it is all my choice now 👍

[nowster Graduate]

My first one after graduation was short but slow. I was also injured at the time and shouldn't have run.

You're running to your own timetable now. It's OK to do shorter and longer runs. Probably good to keep up the 30 minute runs. Your pace on this run is extremely respectable, though.

[Run4Hills Graduate]

Well done! You are pretty speedy!...but beware of reducing the running time so soon.

If I were you I would consolidate the 30 min runs first, please. New graduates are still very new runners with not many km under our belts - if you add it all up.

I reduced to 20 mins for quicker, more enjoyable runs, saying I’ll plan 20 but it’ll probably end up 30. It didn’t. Then life got in the way and I started to struggle to fit in runs or complete the planned 20 min run without stopping. No good at all. Now I am back at week 6 because I didn’t consolidate. Annoying.

Good luck!

[Tendance in reply to Run4Hills]

Gosh I definitely don’t want to go back, how are you finding it this time round? You will graduate again before you know it and be even fitter than last time 💪🏻 Yep I need to find some new longer routes, I just wanted to try the circular route without going up and down little side roads to pad it out for once! It felt great to just run without pressure. Am feeling quite motivated to try different things at the moment, hope it lasts! My next run will be 30 mins 👍

[Run4Hills Graduate in reply to Tendance]

Hi!

I like the suggestion of a much longer warm-up walk and doing the route twice. That is if you have the time to do it! I’m really happy you’ll try to keep up the 30 min runs. Go for it!

....I thought about starting at the very beginning of C25K and using the timings for sprint work as someone suggested. It just seemed like one step too far back though and the tracks I run on aren’t good enough for bombing along. I’ll twist my ankle.

Having graduated already, there isn’t the same excitement so it is much harder to get motivated to go out. Luckily, there are lots of routes I can do but running round and round the same sports ground as I did on the last run is really boring compared to a nice long circular route - as you said.

We are all feeling our way but this lovely forum is a wonderful pick-me-up. I am so glad I found it.

My aim was always to finally be able to do 5k in 30 mins and for it to be enjoyable. I think I need to remind myself of that and get out there tomorrow - without fail! Everything else will have to wait! Xx

[Tendance in reply to Run4Hills]

Yes the elusive 30 mins for 5k is also a goal for me, I need to find the perfect route for it but....no pressure now so can keep trying different things and routes. I should have gone backwards in the plan as I had a number of several week breaks especially towards the finish, am lucky I did not get injured all things considered. You are brave to do that and it will go quickly now. Yes, get out there tomorrow and make it a good one 👍 X

[Run4Hills Graduate in reply to Tendance]

Thanks! X

[Ian5K Graduate]

Yes, it’s quick. So the circular distance is a bit over 3k?

I really recommend the Japanese slow running. It’s so enjoyable for normally faster runners. The Japanese guy calls it running at a “smile pace”.

I reckon if you did this, you could go around the circuit twice - 6km - or increase the walking warm up to reduce the running duration to a more reasonable distance to begin with.

Or run the circuit one way, turn about and run it the other way. Just an idea. 🙂

[Tendance in reply to Ian5K]

Yep, I didn’t know how far before I ran it the other day, that is a great idea about turning and running it in the other direction, thank you! I just couldn’t bring myself to carry on for longer once I had got back to my house!

[CazzaW Graduate]

Great to hear about life after graduation 😁 you’re very fast 👏 I’ll never reach those speeds 🤣

It’s so helpful reading your replies tho’, I’m taking it all on board 👍

[Tendance in reply to CazzaW]

Ah you just never know! You might reach 10k which I won’t do. I like the feeling of pushing it but that is unsustainable for long. Just gotta keep it up which I think will be the main challenge for me, I don’t have much opportunity to get out although I am desperate to. C25K took me 4.5 months 😕X

[CazzaW Graduate in reply to Tendance]

Think I’ll be happy to get to 5k let alone 10 😂 but would dearly love to do it in 30 mins one day.

Sorry you don’t have much opportunity to get out, that must be very frustrating 🙁 just keep going 🏃‍♀️💪 whenever you can 😊