How do you keep it interesting?

[Paul25k]

Well, I think I've got this now! Thanks to Laura's advice and encouragement. I have completed week 9 run 1 on a beautiful Spring morning. Fortunately I live near a park in Stratford-on Avon which is a nice setting for running. What I'd like to know is how others keep running interesting once you have completed Couch to 5k. Any tips woukd be very welcome 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate]

There are many things you could do !But 5he first thing would be to consolidate your running for a few weeks

Take a look at the consolidation club .

Then

Join us on the bridge to 10k forum .

Try various running apps if you enjoy guided runs such as the NRC app (Nike run club)

Or for a bit of fun try the 'Zombie runs' app

😁👍

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you. Good idea.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Variation in routes, doing some trail running, entering races, doing parkrun, joining a club, listening to music, the radio or podcasts, bridging to 10k 👍🏽

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thank you. Some good ideas here. 😊

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Try tackling a few hills. Great for improved fitness.

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

I think that's a little way off for me yet but a great idea! Thank you 😊

[HeavyFoot Graduate in reply to Paul25k]

If you can handle a Stratocaster, then...😁

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

The guitar is another passion but it's not coming with me 😁 although a couple of years ago I heard a man was raising money for charity by running with a fridge strapped to his back! 🤣🤣

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

When you announce your graduation I will send you a link to a guide to post C25k running.

If you cannot wait, it is sitting in the FAQ Posts, which you will find in the Pinned Posts.

Parkrun is returning soon healthunlocked.com/couchto5.... which is highly recommended for all runners.

Running in new and beautiful surroundings, just for fun, forgetting pace and distance while you career about like a child is good for the soul. Run the hills, the moors, clifftops and forests.

Run races.

Find new routes.

Run with others. Run by yourself.

Run "naked" with nothing in your ears but the sounds of your environment. Watch the seasons change.

Creating some short term(weekly), medium term (monthly) and longer term targets for your running gives you something to build a training regime around and returns regular satisfaction.

I really don't think you will find it uninteresting..........C25k is just the first baby steps into the wonderful world of running.

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. I never thought of couch to 5k as a baby step. It seemed like a Mike Powell leap for me. I agree, I need to set further goals but was hoping that a half hour run three times a week would help me lose belly fat and a bit of weight. It's strange because I think I am losing a bit of belly but my weight is about the same as when I started!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Paul25k]

Weight loss is about diet.

Exercise is about strength and fitness.

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

They can't be totally unrelated. Surely burning calories has something to do with it as well as avoiding eating unhealthily

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Paul25k]

I put weight on when I started running coz my appetite increased. I like to think some of the weight was bigger muscles though 💪. Your core muscles will definitely be strengthening through running. Have you tried doing planks? That helps tone the tum too. The rest has to be diet. Pianism might have some good tips. Every time I saw him at a Parkrun he’d gone down a t-shirt size 👍👕

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I do some exercises on my days off running but not plamks. Will give it a go. Thank you.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I made a new playlist of favourite music to celebrate graduation. I also explored quite a few new routes - the combination of those gave consolidation a fresh & different feel. Longer term, I always debate what route & sounds I fancy each time. I eventually managed to enjoy a run without anything to listen to –( it took a very long time to reach that stage,), so now every time I run, I choose between music, listening to something on the BBC Sounds app - (so many good programs) - or no headphones. Route variation matters a lot to stop me feeling bored too.

You are at an exciting stage – so much to enjoy ahead of you! 👍🏻😄

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you. I have made a couple of playlists in readiness for finishing the plan but think I might need that little extra encouragement Laura gives at the moment so may keep listening to the same podcast for an extra week. Wouldn't it be nice if the NHS put a couple of other playlists together without necessarily increasing pace as with the post-5k podcasts.

[nowster Graduate]

As others have said, variety is how you keep things interesting. Keep giving yourself little challenges.

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you 😊

[Speedy60 Graduate]

All the advice that's already been given is wonderful. The only things that I would add from my own experience are:

1. You don't always have to run 5k after graduation - I know 🤯. Sometimes interval runs are great over short distances.

2. The Nike running club app has some great guided runs if you're missing the support. You do have to put up with a bit of cheesy American banter, but you get coaching and knowledge from world class coaches for free!

Good luck 👍

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you. I'll give it a try 😊

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

When you're ready.. research your local area, find somewhere you've never seen - and run there! I've seen so much of Cambridge I've never seen before - in 25 years of living here...

Check out different routes, run the same routes the other way round...find someone on Strava (or whichever platform you like) in your home town and nick their routes!...it all depends what floats your boat...

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Great idea! Particularly I like the idea about Strava. Thank you! 😊😊

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

I keep it interesting by trying to improve my times. I’m not that fussed about where I run. It’s certainly kept me interested over the last 4 years but I feel my body is now starting to tell me to shift my focus away from the shorter and faster runs towards longer runs. Good luck with whatever turns you on in your running journey. Oh and nice strat (at least it looks like one) in your profile pic. 👍

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you, Brian. Yes, I agree with trying to increase pace and distance. I thought I'd reached my goal but need to aim for better. And yes, the guitar is a '95 US standard Strat, my oldest and favourite! Sounds like you know a thing or two about them. You probably run and play better than I do. Respect! 😂😂

[RunBrianRun Graduate in reply to Paul25k]

Nice 😎 Don’t get me started on fender mind 😂 I’ve had an ocd gas disorder for many years 😂

[Paul25k Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Haha! When I gi to a music shop and look at Strats and Tele's I start dribbling! 🤣🤣