Week Nine, Run Two

[mummybowles]

Quite enjoyed this second 30 minute run but still nowhere near 5k (in fact, not even close to 4k) but that doesn't matter right now. Let's get to graduation (on Wednesday hopefully) then I'll think about adding a bit on til I reach 5k 🏃

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Well done! Only one more to go.

Plenty of time to extend to 5k later 👍

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thanks, yes 5k will be my next goal 🏃

[GailXrunning Graduate]

So exciting! It’s the 30 minutes that counts at this point. And it means you’ll have some goals to work to, no? 😉 😬 💫

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

Absolutely - always something to strive for 🏃😊

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

It took me till a few weeks after completing the magic plan to actually hit 5k so I wouldn’t worry too much, you’re doing great! Xx

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks Jill. At this pace I've worked out that 5k will take me 41 minutes so that'll be the next goal 🏃

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to mummybowles]

That’s a great time, I’m only about halfway there in 41 minutes 😂xx

[Peter44 Graduate]

That's another one ticked of, dont worry about the 5k bit, i know you've done it before, but for me, it's still mad, thinking how far we've all come, from those early weeks! 😂

I did 5k today, but took 40 mins, and was blowing, at the end! 🥵

Good luck with your last run!

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Well done and all the best to your mum for a speedy recovery

[Raisemeup Graduate]

I'll be doing my w9r3 run on Wednesday too and I haven't been worrying too much about distance, I've been just slow and steady with a short sprint in the last minute. Apparently, speed will come after stamina is built. Perhaps speed will gradually happen like the gradual progress we have made so far - that's still an achievement in itself - we'll see!

I noticed your Garmin watch, and am thinking of getting one, but want one that's not too complicated. Is yours easy to use and do you recommend it?

Good luck to you for Wednesday, it will be good to know I'll not be the only one striving to Graduate. Best wishes 😊

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Well done you. The initial idea is to run for 30 minutes, nice and slowly. It takes time to build speed, that's not the important bit. You'll have a big smile on your face for run 3. Good luck. Keep going

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Oldwoman65]

Will do. I think I've inadvertently adopted the Japanese Slow-Running Method. You're right - pace will improve over time. Thank you x

[HS1965]

Should be called couch to 30 mins

You’ve done great tho

I felt deflated when I realised I wasn’t running 5k in 30 mins til someone told me what I’ve just told you

Even when I stuck at it after

I still only managed 5k in about 35 mins

But couldn’t even run for 1 minute before I started it

So keep it up

You will get there 🤙

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to HS1965]

Thanks. Yes you're right, we've come so far! After the initial 30 mins, I'll add on a bit of distance til I reach that magic 5k

[Fee02 Graduate]

I am heading for my W9 R2 today - like you a fair bit off 5k but that will be my aim in the weeks to come .... something to keep me going!! 😊

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Fee02]

Yes, we all still need goals. Good luck with today's run. I'll follow you on here to watch your progress. All the best !

[sigasiga Graduate]

Brilliant, just one run to go! Never mind the distance (you can work on that later if you want to), just celebrate the achievement 😊🏃‍♂️😊🏃😊

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to sigasiga]

Will do thanks. Nothing's going to stop me now 😅

[Pushingit Graduate]

Just focus on where you are now running for 30 mins and like everyone else has said the rest will come. I’m now running 30 mins and running into my warm down to get to 5k so around 34 mins. I couldn’t run a minute when I started in July. What I have noticed since I graduated was that 30 isn’t as gruelling as it once was. It’s not easy and probably never will be but it’s achievable in a nice way.

Keep up the hard work.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Pushingit]

Thanks. I was wondering when it might get easy, but perhaps I need to settle for 'easier' instead. It's true to remember how far we've come - one minute was hell only eight weeks ago 😂

[Buster52 Graduate]

Good luck with your next run, you're doing great and it is all about time not distance. I did a 5k as my W9 R2 and it took 39+ mins but it was a little too much, on top of what I had been doing and still feeling the aches a week later. Get R3 out of the way and enjoy the feeling of graduating as it is a real achievement. Well done and keep it up. You will be going well beyond 5k soon, so don't rush just keep building on your time.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Buster52]

Cheers. I'll try and tag a few minutes on to each run post-grad. I completed this program last year followed by a few consolidation runs then stopped altogether, like an idiot. Not going to make the same mistake again - will be downloading Nike Running app next I think 🏃🏃

[Buster52 Graduate in reply to mummybowles]

Just keep active three times a week. You will form the habit and then thats it, just keep going. More than up to the challenge I am sure.

[WegieGirl]

I did W9R1 yesterday and really wanted to get to 4k but only managed 3.79k. Hips were really knacking but kept going for the 30 minutes which is the main thing at this point

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to WegieGirl]

Yes that sounds about the same pace as me. Like everyone is saying, 30 minutes is the first goal and we can build from there. All the best to you

[Grannie49]

I have just graduated and likewise nowhere near 5K of running.

I just happy to be able to run for 30 minutes.

Keep in trucking.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Grannie49]

Very well done. Won't be too far behind you hopefully 🙂

[Grannie49]

Ps. Really enjoy your graduation run. It’s a fantastic feeling. Very well done 👍

[poohbear2608 Graduate]

It took me some time to reach 5K. I consolidated the 30 minute runs for a long time as I continued to use the program for graduates. In fact my favourite run is Speed Intervals where I only run about 1.6miles.

[StoneDragon Graduate]

Well done MB - so close to graduation now 😆🏃‍♀️ just enjoy your graduation run and make 5k a post graduation goal 👍👍