Shout out to everyone who's still running 30 mins three times a week, who's still averaging about 3.6 km, who's just keeping going.... gradually getting stronger, gradually slightly faster and less tired... who's months off even considering a 5k let alone any further... but who feels proud to be achieving way more than they were this time last year!
That's where I am, and it's easy to look at other people and feel like I'm not really doing that well, but when I just look at myself and where I am now, I do feel very proud indeed. The journey's not the same for everyone, and I'm just really happy to be doing my week 9 run 3 on a loop!
Maybe I'll grow in to Strava or Run Club next year, but for now I'm content. Apart from not being able to run today as it was far too slippy!
Happy New Year, lovely supportive forum. Stay safe. Here's to a bright future for us all. x
Written by
SingsAndRuns
Graduate
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That’s a wonderful achievement. 😄It took me a long time to get beyond that stage, but eventually it happened but by bit.
“Run as you can, not as you can’t,” has become one of my mantras as I have waded my way through assorted interruptions to my running caused by injury/illness.
I love that. Mostly I feel really happy with what I've done but then every now and then you get someone graduating and saying oooo I did 5.3km or something, and sincerely well done and good luck to them but just for a split second you feel a bit.... deflated! So I thought I might not be alone.
It's nice to hear someone else stayed at that stage for a while- I do feel definite progress but slowly and steadily, and I'm really ok with that
No 3.6K average is in the upper quartile range of my post graduation runs. After 10 runs or so I started to up one run per week by 5 minutes every fortnight. I am doing 40 minutes on Saturday ( in spite of New Years Eve). I aim to do 45 minutes the week after so I should be able to do 5k then. There is a new plan to incorporate the strength and flex exercises into Consolidation which I should look into as overall fitness will help prevent injury.
You are most definitely not alone! ...and thank you. 😄I undoubtably fall into the “very slow, but definite, progress” group. 😂 Progress shows in so many ways- not just how far or fast we can run, but all sorts of other things like how much more rapidly I can walk uphill & that I can run slowly while chatting to my daughter, whereas previously she did all the chat.
I think, when I felt ready, I began to add a couple of minutes a week into one run & then I did the time version of the Magic 10 program- but always felt happy to add extra weeks or smaller steps of progress if I needed to.
I’m really liking your post... I have been running much like you since I graduated, except more like 3k in 30 minutes. Eventually extended it timewise but no faster even after weeks. But I did 5k a handful of times now after 6 months running. Mostly, like you I’m just very happy to be where I am.Totally empathise with feeling a bit deflated by some of the other posts sometimes, but I know we know it doesn’t matter.
Very true! And well done you!! I think I am very very slowly loosing some weight, so I think the more I run the more I'll be ABLE to run if you see what I mean! I do feel usually quite optimistic! xx
everyone's journey is different but I think you hit the nail on the head with finding a pace which makes you happy. If running isn't enjoyable then you're less likely to continue.
I graduated a month or so back and can run 5km in what is for me a reasonable time (still well over 30minutes) but it damn near kills me. I'm only doing this because I have marshalled at our local parkrun most weekends for the last 2 years and would love to be able to run it myself when the pandemic allows.
However, far more enjoyable is going for a bomble; no targets, no times in mind just a nice slow and gentle pace with some decent music on my headphones.
BTW I love your user name 😀 It reminds that I will often sing silently along to a track I'm listening to just to ensure I'm still exercising aerobically.
All the best for the new year and whether you join a club or run further and faster here's to your running always being fun and enjoyable 👍
Thank you! I've not managed to do that yet- I did run with a friend the other week and that was very strange, no Jo in my ear!! Perhaps that is more of a goal- wean me off the app a bit!! xx
Totally love your post. It's so true. After graduating in late September my 30 min runs were between 3.2 and 3.5k. Like you much as I enjoy the support of this forum you can start to take the shine off your achievement if you focus on distance too much. I made the rookie error in late Oct of downloading Strava to accurately measure my distance, and after finding it even less than my optimistic fitbit had been telling me, felt really rubbish.Then mistake number two pushing too hard and fast to get better. One 5k in about 45 mins then constant hip, thigh and knee pain walking and running meaning very few consolidation runs or walks since!Keep going as you are. You are doing something amazing and as soon as my body allows I will be back out there joining you with our more gentle 30 mins making us fitter, stronger and better.
Yes that's it, isn't it? You can end up pushing yourself too hard. I'm a big girl, I worry that if I do that I'll injure myself too. I hope you manage to get up and running soon. Stay safe! xx
Hi S&R, Well done for sticking with it in your own way, it sounds like with your mindset you will be getting to 5k before long. I graduated in November and can honestly say I've done 3 runs a week since, except for a couple of weeks when it was 2. I just thought I'd free run with no apps, just a watch to tell me distance, time etc. It's great that way and I manage 5 k each run although slowly, around 44 mins. I'll continue doing 5k until I'm able to speed up a little. I usually speed up to a sprint in the last minute to introduce an element of faster running, I feel if I sped up earlier in the run I may not make it to 5k. I intend to try shorter runs with more speed as the next step.Running with a friend works well for me as time seems to pass quickly then and eased me into 5k distance, but solo runs are rewarding and give time for thought and experiencing being out there.
I wish you continued success as you go on your runs and will look out for your '5k Post' in 2021. Best wishes ☺️.
Thank you! Sounds like you're doing really well. I keep wondering whether to try for 5k but then the thought of being out for that long puts me off going at all ha ha!! So I stick to 30 mins xxx
Well, here I am 2 1/2 years after graduating, still running 3 times a week just like back then. In that time I've missed less than half a dozen runs, those being when it's been too icy and unsafe to run. Cold or wet doesn't bother me, I'm jumping into a hot shower when I get back anyway. I'm not the fastest, nor aiming for any targets, I just go out and enjoy my runs. I have a local 5K route which I'll do if I need to rush off somewhere, that's my minimum, otherwise I just run as far as I feel like. This morning for my first run of 2021 I ran 7K, which is about my average, though during the summer I ran a few 10K, even managing a couple of 15K on days when the weather was really nice. I love running because it helps clear my head, and I run early in the morning because that's the time I prefer, and it sets me up for the day. The secret to staying with it is to just do what you enjoy. Happy 2021!
Hi S&R, 30 minutes three times a week is a great way of building and maintaining fitness so well done! You deserve to feel proud, if you want to make comparisons, think about all those still on the couch who can't even run for a few minutes. Building steadily is a great way of improving your fitness without risking overdoing it.
Congrats SingsAndRuns - it takes discipline and tenacity to stick with running regularly when it's cold and the news is so very dreary. I've succumbed to lethargy quite a few times of late (too cold, too meh, too dark, too hungover, too full etc) but have also had niggling doubts about being a 'proper runner' as I can just about make 4k in 30 mins, having graduated way back in the summer. Decided on NYE that I'd try the NRC 5k guided run (despite Coach B's blather) - it was a struggle, especially the first half, but I did it - in just under 45 mins. And I did feel euphoric for a bit but, on reflection, I'm not really sure that I want to run for much longer than 45 mins; I think 30 - 40 mins is probably my max. So I guess chasing the elusive 5k was useful in clarifying my running plans for 2021: run 3 times a week regularly and as comfortably as I can; include some speed intervals for fun; aim for a 5k when I feel like it; do short, gentle runs on days when I really don't want to head out (a better-than-nothing run). Maybe by the end of 2021, the lure of longer distances will ensnare me - but somehow I doubt it! 🏃♀️ Happy running to everyone on the forum - however far, fast, calmly or furiously you choose to run!
That's really interesting, because that's where my mind has been going too. I think I'd be just over 45 mins for 5k and I think at the moment it's just TOO long, I feel depressed just thinking about doing that much!! So yes, well done for ticking the box but not feeling the pressure to make it happen every run.
P.s. I’ve found ‘Meredith at Senior Fitness’ a really lovely (doable) antidote/complement to running, especially the boxing one below where I can have fun and grunt as I punch!
Well done, and great news your still getting in 3 runs a week! Doesnt matter how far, or fast your going, everyone is different, and i guess you'll be getting stronger, all the time, i sometimes wonder if i've increased the km's, too soon, but like most of us on here, we're so new to this! 🐤🐣🐤
Yes I think it's only when you try something else you know if it suits you or not. I do want to push myself, and I do find myself sprinting most of the last minute now, or trying to anyway, but I think it's going to be slow and steady for me
I know, but if you focus on how you feel after your run you really do start to enjoy it. I am probably a little further on on my journey but not that much. I am doing 4k in approx 30 mins with three 5ks under my belt but am struggling to increase speed or distance in this cold weather. I'm not a natural runner so if I can do it and get to enjoy it there is hope for anyone !
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W3R2 just keep going!
Run to keep fit or Keep Fit to run?
Trying to keep the blues away
Keeping going, somehow 
