Post graduation motivation.

[undeadboy68]

Hi all.

I graduated last week after many weeks of overthinking the programme, injury and the dreaded Covid (mine and family members).

I found week 9 pretty easy in the end (easier than I had imagined anyway).

My problem now is motivation. Up to now I had a goal (to complete the programme) Now that goal is complete I need a little voice telling me to keep going. Instead I have a little nagging voice saying "it's Ok, you've already done this".

So far the consolidation runs have gone perfectly (apart from the nagging voice!)

Does anyone have any tips to banish this voice or swap it for something a bit more motivational?

[Me_time Graduate]

Think of next goal and train to achieve that It can be increasing the distance or spèed. Register for some local running events or even park runs to stay motivated. Just some ideas

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

It’s hard! I found it much harder to motivate myself without an actual plan to follow. It helped me to enter a race and build up to 10k using the magic plan but consolidating first is obviously important. The structure was really useful. I also got pointed to the Nike Running Club app which has loads of guided runs and plans to follow on there. That was super for shaking me out of a rut.

Have you thought about setting some new goals? Further, faster, new routes, races etc? You could then think of your consolidation runs as getting your body ready to start something new rather than just ticking over?

You could use some of the NRC runs for consolidating with. Just pick guided runs that are easy/recovery runs of 30 minutes or less (or walk anything longer). They don’t have a 5 minute walk at the start or the end so add that on. Having commentary can help banish the voice because you’re thinking about something else. “Easy run” 30 minutes would be a great start.

Also, have a look at the Bridge to 10k forum. Lots of recent graduates consolidating there.

Good luck!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

It really depends what you want from your running !What are your goals ?

Are you maybe wanting to do parkruns, or increasing your running distance or improve your pace , or any other goals you may have in mind !

Once you know what you want you can then find the help required to get you there !

There are many apps and training programs that can help you achieve your goals .

You just need to first identify what they are .

Then I'm sure we can perhaps give you more suitable suggestions.

Give it some thought 🙂

[Hidden]

Let's get you motivated undeadboy68 First things first grab yourself a graduation badge via the link below

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Then perhaps have a look at the bridge to 10k link it may help

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Good luck happy running

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

Ask yourself why you started in the first place and where you would like to be with your running in a year from now. Answers to those questions should help you create some targets around which you can devise your own training plan.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

To get your Graduate Badge leave a message at this month’s Graduation Badge Post, which you can find in the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[nowster Graduate]

Welcome!

The best thing to do is simply to go out and run regularly until it becomes a habit.

You don't have to do 30 minutes every time after graduation, and I would suggest you don't.

Vary your routes. Make things fresh. Do shorter runs on some days.

Have you heard about parkrun?

Maybe think about working up to 10km or an hour at some point in the future.

(We're of a similar age. I had never done any running at all before the lockdowns in 2020. I now do half marathon distances at least once per month.)