Much to my surprise, I graduated a couple of weeks ago (23 June ‘21) and could not have been more delighted.
So, having achieved my goal I was determined to keep running. But how to do it?
Firstly I have kept reminding myself how brilliant I feel after a run. Also, how much it’s changed and improved me physically.
Secondly, I’ve set new goals. These are goals I’m really curious to achieve. Like running a 5k in under 30 mins, running for further than 5k, running up (small) hills and also finding new & interesting places to run.
I’ve run six 5k ‘s now since graduating and it feels like I’ve discovered a whole bee world at 55! To think I had a triple heart bypass 2 years ago gives me even more incentive to keep on running.
I’ve registered for Parkrun too. Why not eh?
So wherever you are on your C25K journey, believe in yourself, be proud of what you’re doing and know that you can be constantly amazed at what you can achieve. 😃
Written by
Swaino1
Graduate
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Yes! Exactly this. Well done for everything you have achieved - so far! In many ways this is the start of your journey. Achievable goals are good! I did make a mistake of setting an unachievable goal for myself. I soon sidestepped it and set some more realistic goals, which I did achieve.
Thanks Jools. You’re right about achievable goals. The last thing I need is to demotivate myself, so I keep my goals realistic and fun too. All the best to you too!
Never say never! My goal was to achieve 5K in 30 minutes. I decided to run for longer instead, aiming for a HM. Every now and then, I have a go at a new PB for 5K - but I’m a good 5 minutes away from that magic 30 minutes and it’s not my focus, especially as my fitness level currently is not what it was. 😊
Well I’m not sure what an unachievable goal is but IMO running a half marathon - which u have done I think - is pretty impressive to me. All relative I guess, that’s why I don’t like it when people tell u that ‘u can do this’ when they just don’t know. Anyway very well done so far. 👍
Thank you. Yes, I ran my HM in December. It was exciting having a goal I thought I could achieve, although it took around 6 months! Good luck with your running journey! 😊👍
My suggestion is not to chase the pace but to gradually extend the distance and/or time by little increments. The speed will come on its own eventually.
Super result. Great goals. Good to know you’re running after your op. I’ve been looking after a friend who has just had a quadruple. His goal is C25K once he has recuperated, so I was particularly pleased I see your post.Dare you to run up a big hill! 😁
Hey thank you Lola-bear. I’m glad I helped you a little bit. But it’s really YOU that’s helping yourself by keeping going and not giving up. 😃 You go for it and look forward to feeling so proud of yourself when you run those final steps of week 9!
Well done Swaino1 , you’ve come such a long way and we are VERY pleased you’re here!!! The running world is a whole world going on unbeknown to non runners …& so is this forum, I couldn’t believe what I was missing out on when I discovered it and now I have a whole new bunch of friends too!!! Your post will inspire so many people who might be having a ‘wobble’ to keep going…and we are cheering them all on and I hope they can hear us 👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼♀️🏃♂️
Well thank YOU for comments too. You are so right when you talk about the hidden world of running. That’s a brilliant way of describing it. It really is lovely to be part of something so positive and supportive. And it means so much to me to be able to give back support to other people, just like others helped me when I found things tough going. Good luck on your journey too and keep enjoying the hidden world of running! 😃
Thanks so much for sharing these words of encouragement!!!! I am 1 run away from the finish - rest day today W9R3 after that. Yes I run very slowly, yes I do not always fell like going outside if it’s cold, BUT I have kept going and am now so impressed with my efforts!!!! Your journey sounds amazing - I’m the same age as you and I hope to keep running.
Congratulations on graduating!!!!! Thanks for your encouraging and inspirational post Swaino1! I’m the same age as you and I’ve now got to W9R3 - today…after work !!!! Keep on keeping on, run and enjoy - I’m so glad to hear your story…it’s never too late to do exercise, that’s what I tell myself when it’s cold, I run very slowly and I start to feel like things aren’t going well. Thanks
Your post made me smile I could have written the exact same goal list at the same point in my journey. I am six months ahead of you and a couple of years older but by running at least three times a week to start I have ticked off those goals so I know you will too.
As others have said distance training did the trick for me and the speed sorted itself out. The magic of the weekly long run. I just made sure each week was longer than the last one till I got to HM distance.
I have also discovered hills aren’t as bad as they look if you slow down.
Thanks very much for your kind words. And it’s really good to hear your story. Massive congratulations! So yes, I think I’m going to aim for running further and let the pace sort itself out. And thanks for the hint on hills. That’s my next challenge so I shall heed your wise words. 😃
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