First solo run: Come back Laura, all is forgiven!

[Gthants]

Two days rest, three days as a GRADUATE (just thought I'd mention that) and it's time to get out there without Laura holding my hand.

I MISS HER!

I was probably too tired. It was probably too hot. I ... actually, I can't think of any other excuses.

I did it - I ran. A walk to "warm up" - it's 20 degrees already! - then after almost five minutes, I set off ...

After three minutes I was ready to give up. I checked my watch and discovered I had been running for 52 seconds! 52 flaming' seconds flying solo and I'm ready to jack it in! But - I carried on. Half way up the hill is the road I could use to take a short cut and I was SO tempted, but carried on. Wanted to stop and sit outside the cafe and wait for it to open. But three hours sitting on a bench would be a bit dull, so I carried on. Very much wanted to stop when three quarters of the way through but got by on the "just to that blade of grass/that tree/that lamp post" method.

A 20 minute run. Exactly 3k distance. One fed up, hot and in need of hydration runner. It was absolutely horrible; it felt really messy; I did not enjoy a single second of it. But I did it - my first post C25K solo run.

I missed Laura telling me I was a proper little trooper.

And as soon as my lady gets out of bed and does her exercises, I'm back off to that cafe!

Have a happy Sunday!

[Sax64 Graduate]

I know how you feel, but you kept going, so well done you. Yes, I missed Reece too, but rather than go cold turkey I've downloaded the NRC app to do some of their guided runs, which is helping the transition for me, that and slowing down. So then I wasn't overdoing it and enjoying the birdsong and appreciating the wildflowers whilst listening to Coach Bennett. Did 4 k in 32 mins this morning which was fab for me. Keep going remember the joy in running 🏃‍♀️ 😊

[Gthants in reply to Sax64]

That is terrific! Are you using the paid version of the NRC app?

[Sax64 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

No, free to download. Didn't realise there was a paid version.

[XenaZelda Graduate]

Well done on graduating, when i first graduated i shed a tear when i got back from the W9 R3 because i had achieved something i never thought i would do, i also felt a bit sad that i had finished the programme and would feel a bit "lost" without any more guidance or a fixed plan, however, after consolidating listening to my own music and using my garmin running watch to check time/distance i enjoy the freedom i now have to mix up my running with different paces, time and distances and also different routes so i dont get bored of looking at the same things, i could run for 2KM or 6KM and as soon as Autumn is here i will be planning my runs to build up to 10KM so the world is now your oyster enjoy 😀

[Gthants in reply to XenaZelda]

Certainly at the moment the heat is NOT helping! I'd happily do the same boring run if it was cool! 😂

[WavyPlants Graduate]

52 seconds, now that made me laugh, thanks for bringing some joy to my Sunday afternoon 😂 Oh and congrats about the solo run 👍

[Gthants in reply to WavyPlants]

Thank you!

[Jools2020 Graduate]

You’re a ‘proper little trooper’ 😊

I know it feels strange - but you will get used to it. Now’s the time to find those lovely scenic runs to help you actually enjoy running, although when it cools down maybe you’ll enjoy it more.

And you might decide to go back to Laura if ever you want to do any interval training! You could run faster for the run sections and jog slowly for the walk sections. I did this for a while, kept on repeating Week Run, Run 1.

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks & yes - I have thought of dropping back to somewhere in the middle of it all again, in the week 4 - week 7 range to get back into it. At the moment just running at all with no sleep to to busyness and heat is achievement enough!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Oh dear, I did giggle, sorry, yes I think we all miss the coach, I found Zombies run which scared me to death but did give background chatter and there is a story, then I found guided runs on Nike Run Club, and was hooked, there are so many different guided runs on there and training plans for once you've consolidated and want to go further if you ever do

[Roxdog Graduate]

Well done! These post graduation runs can be a bit odd. But you did it, and it was hot weather!

[Gthants]

Thank you!

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Well done you, good sir! 👏🙌🤜🤛

Hope you had a nice weekend!

[Gthants in reply to ToothPickJafah]

The run wasn't the highlight! 🤣 (That was the trip to see the first university on the list for our eldest.😮)

[ToothPickJafah Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Oooh how exciting! University visits for your eldest, wow! You must be proud 🤗

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate]

Well done for toughing that one out - it sounds much like my graduation run at the end of week 9. But you've done it and without Laura's help. I'll miss Yasmin Evans telling me "You've got this" when deep down I'm asking are you sure about that

I'll be having my first run after graduation tomorrow and have a feeling it's going to go the same way. I've downloaded Nike Run Club app to try out and have downloaded a 30 minute run by Jess to try out for that. I can't wait but unfortunately have to as I can't get a run in till then.

I had a look at what a peacock might symbolise as there was one ominously waiting for me at the finish line. Evidently some people reckon they mean confidence and power - haha, that's not me

[Gthants in reply to Frankenfoot23]

I have the NRC app now too and have downloaded a few runs to my phone. I may go for shorter runs for a while as I am sleeping so badly!

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

I hope the app works well for you, I'm looking forward to trying it out. Do you think running is causing restless nights? I was diagnosed a bit ago with high blood pressure and low pulse, so I have the opposite trouble - I don't really go to sleep on a night but pass out At least that's what it feels like. I generally hit myself in the face with a book a few times beforehand though.

[Gthants in reply to Frankenfoot23]

No. I am a long-term insomniac. It is mainly the heat. But I am also stressed by how much work I have on at the moment . . . In the long term I hope running will help me!

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Stress doesn't go well with sleep. A year or two back I tried herbal teas from Tesco as I was struggling to sleep. One has valerian root which worked best for me. Another had chamomile. Neither worked for the missis but both knocked me out

[Sax64 Graduate]

I was thinking of you today on my run. I did the NRC Suckcess Run. You guessed it is about the runs you think suck, like this one you posted. It's a good listen and at the end of the day, instead of beating yourself up about a bad run you turn it on its head and celebrate a run done! Lots to learn or at least take on board too. Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[Gthants in reply to Sax64]

Ooooh, thanks! I'll add this to my downloads. Did my first NRC run today - and ENJOYED it! Yay!