Keep on consolidating

[Plodder0771]

When does consolidation just become normal? I don't know. Ive just worked out that Ive done 20 weeks' worth, hitting 3 runs/wk, at least 30 mins each. I do a 5km at the weekend and have reduced my time down from a plodding-47mins to 36mins. I think I need to set myself a longer term challenge now, but this post as much as anything about a bit of mutual encouragement to keep it up folks.

[nowster Graduate]

I think you've consolidated plenty. Most people only do three or four weeks before moving on. The speed improvement is amazing, too.

Have you seen the pinned post about what to do next?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The sibling forum here called "Bridge to 10K" may be a useful place to look, too.

[Plodder0771 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yes, Ive just been looking at that, thanks for the pointer. I was thinking of stepping up a 2nd run each week to 5km and then extending the weekend run. That seems the basis of Ju-Jus plan.

[Cmoi Graduate]

I didn't enjoy consolidation because I almost immediately got bored with doing very similar runs over and over again, without any notable increase in pace. I ended up moving on to Ju-Ju's plan just because it was easier than what I'd been attempting to do, and I absolutely loved it.

[Plodder0771 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks, Im onto Wk2 of JuJu's plan now. 10km looks like the moon! But hey if I can do C25k then Im happy to go with the plan and see where it takes me!

[Newbie59 Graduate]

I am still consolidating, just done my 27th cons run, in 20 weeks! Just pleased I am still doing it in the cold weather, a 30 minute run is just enough. Next year I will aim higher

[Plodder0771 Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Hey, Im pleased I wasn't the only one just pounding-out consolidation runs! I think its definitely the trick to just keep it going and forming the habit. I have about 1-2 minutes of mental "oh do I have to", but find that Ive autopiloted and got my shorts on by that point. Ive put some leggings on my Xmas list though. Just to say, the first couple of weeks of Ju-Jus plan were very similar to what I was doing anyway. So could be worth a for you look at some point...

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Plodder0771]

Absolutely - I had a good run yesterday, new route, turned out I ran 4.9 k! If I'd known I'd have run that extra .1 k to make the 5 Next time ....