C25K Consolidation done! 🥳

[ChannelRunner2]

I am so proud of myself! 😁 Not only did I complete the consolidation period recommended in 12 week fitness plan today, I did it in 2°C weather and with a full 5 km in 30:30 🥳

I just added 5 minutes at the end of my 30 minute timer, so I could see how much longer it would take me to complete the 5 km I measured out on Google maps (so might not be correct 😉). And I hardly needed it...

Now, I'll start the Couch to 5k+ podcast on Monday. I am already looking forward to stepping to the beat (I am weird that way 😎).

A huge thank you to all of you here on the forum for sharing your experience and wisdom! And also to Carners1 for sharing the idea of "accidental 5Ks." Not sure why it hadn't occurred to me before to just let the timer run a bit longer... 😆 (As a side note: I am so happy that IannodaTruffe is no longer "Hidden"...)

I might start posting on the Bridge to 10K forum more now, though I still feel a bit intimidated for some reason 🙈

Here's the 12 week consolidation plan (I ended up doing the full 9 weeks because I enjoyed the simplicity for a bit...now I am also mentally ready for a new challenge). Huge thank you to CBDB for putting it together! healthunlocked.com/strength...

As Tim would've said: Keep running, keep smiling! 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done on completing the fitness plan .But for clarity , it is a fitness plan that can be started during consolidation.

It is not a 12 week consolidation plan 😁

And yes, come and join us on the bridge 👍

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks for clarifying that, Instructor57 ! I guess it turned into a consolidation plan in my mind because I only pulled out the running segments since I am already doing a lot strength training and stretching... 🙃 Still, it's good to know what it's meant to be!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Congratulations on that first 5k! It must have felt super sweet. Are you treating yourself to a prize for that milestone? 🎉 🏃‍♀️ 💪

Bridge to 10k is super friendly! You’ll see loads of faces you recognise over there and it’s not a load of people blasting out 5k all week then and sprinting a 10k at the weekend. Just lots of us encouraging each other to keep going, especially over the winter. I’m just about to post about my run this morning! Honestly, you’d be really welcome and it doesn’t commit you to building up to running for 60 minutes/10k. If you decide to go for it, the magic plan (see the pinned posts over there) is what I used and that worked really well for me. I found it much easier getting from 5k to 10k compared with 0k to 5k. You’ll already have skills and experience that will stand you in great stead, especially with all the time you’ve spent building up your strength and fitness after graduation.

I absolutely detested the couch to 5k + podcasts! The good thing is there are loads of options for guided runs if you are the same. Some people really like them…hopefully you’ll be one of them. They are certainly marmite!!!

Really good luck with your running journey, wherever your flying feet decide to take you next!

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

My treat: Woolen insoles for my winterboots rewarding (and thanking!) my feet for all their work 😎 Okay, and a nice piece of cake 😊

I've been lurking and occasionally commenting on the Bridge to 10k forum for a bit now... and I am noticing that I get pulled over there more now, too, as I am more interested in whatever comes after C25K, obviously.

I have an appointment for a full check-up middle December, so until then I won't do the magic plan yet... I am eyeing it, though!

We'll see Monday what my reaction to the 5k+ podcast is 🤣 My back-up plan is the Nike Run Club app... Thanks, MissUnderstanding ! See you on the bridge 😉

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to ChannelRunner2]

I had cake after today’s run too! Those insoles sound great. The temperature took ages to drop but my goodness it’s gone cold now!

I’m a huge fan of the Nike Run Club app. Easily the best thing for my running since couch to 5k. I’m sure you’ve spotted there are a fair few of us groupies if you’ve been lurking on Bridge!!! There’s absolutely no rush to do anything different to what you’re doing. If you’re enjoying the way you’re running now and are happy sticking with that, go for it. Over the winter with the tougher weather, aiming to just keep going in whatever way that works is challenging enough for many of us!

[Chinkoflight]

What a great time, very, very respectable! I can only dream.....🥶 and yes it's cold!

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

That sounds splendid (and a bit awe inspiring from my just-embarking-on-Week6 view point!)

Would like to add that I also found it very comforting to see Tim with his forum name again and no longer anonymously ‘Hidden’. It felt so wrong that a man who gave so much to encourage people starting on this running journey had lost his identity here.

Enjoy those cosy insoles.. and the cake.

[Vespina Graduate]

Brilliant work. I found consolidation mentally tough as it “didn’t matter” if I quit a run in the middle because I didn’t have a programme. I got through it and I learned a lot doing that, particularly finding my reason to run for me.

Please come and say hi on Bridge to 10k. As MissUnderstanding said, lots of familiar faces running and sharing and supporting. It’s very much like being on here. You’ll definitely be made very welcome.

And one of the big things that helped with my runs after graduation was Nike Run Club. I tried a few different apps but found that one perfect. The guided runs are brilliant. Zombies Run is good fun too but I didn’t click with it as much.

Looking forward to reading all about future running and smiling 🙂