After graduating two weeks ago, I repeated week nine, running about 4K in 30 minutes.
Last week I was away for a few days. I found a promising route - from my campsite to a nearby tor, a hilly route just 3K. I went ridiculously slowly up the hills, but kept going. I did a few laps around the summit to make my time up to 30 minutes, before stopping to enjoy the view and the sense of achievement! Within a minute or two though, it turned cold and windy and started to rain. Rather than getting chilled walking down, I decided to run. In total, I ran nearly 6 km with several hundred metres of ascent! Wow. Who knew that was possible?!
Two days later, I tried going non stop for 5 km on the flat. I did it! First time ever, in nearly 60 years of false starts and talking myself out of it. It took just under 40 mins. I tried again two days later, picking up my feet and lengthening my stride. This time it took 35 minutes 43s. Repeated it today, in 35 mins 25s. Seems I get faster once I’m on the last km. 😂 I guess if I keep doing this 3 x weekly - which feels sustainable- eventually I’ll get fitter and…faster?! I’m hearing all the chat about going slowly, but I’d now really love to be able to do 5 km in 30 mins! I’ve started looking at the apps which might help me from here.
I am a maths and science tutor and often help students to quieten their inner voice, the one which tells them they just can’t do numbers. Once they allow themselves the possibility of success, I see how they start to try, and then, bit by bit, and with some guidance and encouragement, they build confidence in their own ability to think, and they are off. The c25k is the same process exactly. I‘ll be taking some strategies from the c25k program back to my students, whose commitment - and courage - has really inspired me to quit with the excuses and overcome my own mental barriers to progress.
Great app, thank you NHS, coaches, and fellow runners. (Hah! I guess maybe I can say that now?!) 😂🏃♀️💪
Written by
Catalpa111
Graduate
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Two things I take from this, actually ... three (excuse the Maths!🤣).
1) 5k!! Well done you! That is just amazing. And 6k with a break - wow!
2) I'm busy - with work and in my head at the moment, plus am sleeping very, very badly, so though I'd like to run 3x a week I am struggling to do so. Love the idea of not just 3x week, but 5k each time too! So that's aa really big 🙌
4) (😎) Maths tutor ... 🤔 My eldest is doing A Levels and has a Biology/Chemistry tutor and is thriving on that. My youngest will start GCSE year in September and has a dire Maths teacher at school. They have lost all enthusiasm for a subject they contemplated doing at A Level. Latest mark is a 6 ... Really sad as they were super keen at the start of the year, but the lack of oooomp from the teacher is driving them away from the subject. What level do you teach at?
2) I think it’s cause I didn’t allow myself to miss a run of the program because I was afraid if I did I would quit. If Navid/Sanjeev said run, I ran. So I have replaced him with my new inner voice, and he is now (in my imagination) cheering from the sidelines. Like when my students no longer need me next to them because they have learned how to motivate themselves to think independently. I guess I think if I allow myself to do any less than I did the previous run I might (still) convince myself to quit. I know I will need to get past this at some point to mix it up a bit, but it’s actually easier at the moment to not negotiate and just do the 5k. I’ve got great form at talking myself out of running so I’m guarding my precious gains !
3) yes, for sure I can help. Remote tutoring via video call works perfectly well. I tutor from primary up to A level, maths and sciences, although the biggest gains are to be made in maths during the GCSE preparation years. The approach to the maths at this level can be by pattern recognition and memorising methods, which is dull and ultimately pointless, or by understanding concepts and problem solving from first principles, which is fun, engaging, confidence boosting. and super important for both further academic work, and for life in general. I’ve been tutoring for 8 years now, and it definitely works! Not sure how we shift this conversation to another place… what with our running code names and all…? But I’d be delighted to help your son!
Hello fellow maths and science tutor! Congratulations on that 5k-that’s a brilliant milestone. Some celebrations definitely needed! 🏃♀️🏅🎉💪❤️
There are loads of parallels with learning maths and starting running . I’ve had so many kids (and fellow teachers!!) say that you’ve either got a maths brain or you haven’t-absolute nonsense. People can get better through practice and taking it steady. Just like running!
There isn’t only one correct way to solve maths problems-there are different, equally valid ways to get to the same place-same as running! Once you’ve got the basics, you can use them to get so many varied and interesting results.
Breaking long problems down into small steps is a parallel with how I tackle long runs-have the end point in mind so you know where you’re aiming but focussing on smaller chunks is helpful mentally.
I’m going to think about this on my next run! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
There’s a great book I’ve been reading called “Do hard things” by Steve Magness which talks a lot about inner voices and how we deal with them. I’ve found it really helpful.
I’d suggest rather than keeping every run at 5k, mix them up so you’ve got some shorter ones and when you’re ready (if you want to!), let one run grow a little at a slower pace. Your shorter ones could occasionally be a bit faster, maybe with a few intervals-that’s a lot of fun. The world is your oyster and there’s no right or wrong way to go, as long as you’re building up gradually. There are lots of suggestions on Bridge to 10k for what you might do next. It doesn’t in any way commit you to running 10k but could be a good place to come for inspiration!
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Finally - after 10 days and 5 attempts, Week 5 done! 
Week 5 Complete (finally)
C25K + 11 Months = 10 KM !!!!
My first Parkrun and also my first 5 km nonstop running 
30 minutes but only 3.65 km
