Post C25K

Hi Everyone - I know I'm getting way ahead of myself (only just completed Week 4) but I'm already day-dreaming of continuing to develop my jogging after I graduate. I've found the support of my C25K mentor - and the programme itself - so incredibly helpful and encouraging that I'm wondering if some similar support is available afterwards. I love being guided through the runs...and slightly dread doing it 'unaccompanied'. Anyone got any good suggestions for apps etc? Thanks.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you...as and when...you reach this finishing line...there's a brand new starting line...our new...Next Steps post...formerly, Consolidation Club...Take a look !

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss...I'll keep that thought as a treat to look forward to in a couple of weeks!

[Folkylass Graduate]

Hi maisiesgranny ! and welcome to this brilliant forum. No you’re really not getting ahead of yourself at all. It’s really good to have a goal to look forward to which in turn spurs you on to complete the C25K and graduate and of course as OF has mentioned the Consolidation Club to take a look at too. Congratulations on completing week four. However I would add just enjoy the whole C25K experience.

After your graduation you can pop over to Bridge2/10k and see what the running challenges are about there and read about all the experiences of others ,picking up hints and helpful tips along the way from everyone, as aswell as plenty of great advice and support.

Also there is the NRC app which you can download that has a range of structured runs etc. Lots of our lovely members use that one.

No doubt there will be many others dropping in and giving lots more suggestions too. There is always someone ready to help . That’s why this is such a special place.

Happy running and enjoy your journey. It’s good to have you here.

Looking forward to reading your posts.👍👏👏🥰🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Folkylass]

You're soooo right Folkylass - this is a truly brilliant and supportive (and fun!) community which is helping me along enormously! Thanks so much for your advice and help - really appreciated .

[Folkylass Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Your welcome!🙏🥰

[Hidden in reply to Folkylass]

Hello again - I've had a bit of time to follow up on your advice, so I've been combing my App Store. Am I right in thinking that NRC (recommended by you) is Nike Running Club? Thanks x

[Folkylass Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Apologies for late reply maisiegranny! Yes it is the Nike running club you’re quite right. Hope you can find what you looking for👍😂😂🥰

[nowster Graduate]

Well done in completing week 4, which is actually the hardest in the whole programme.

What many folks do when they finish is keep running week 9 runs in the app for a few weeks.

Once you're "off the leash" so to speak, you can do pretty much what you want, as long as for a few weeks you don't increase the level of activity beyond what you had been doing in week 9.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

wow that's really sensible advice which I'll definitely follow. Surely Week 4 can't be the hardest?!? I've just taken a pre-peek at next week and over the course of 3 days/runs it goes from 5-min runs to a 20 min run. 😳😳😳. Thanks for the encouragement.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Week 1 has 8 minutes of running per session.

Weeks 2 and 3 have 9 minutes of running per session.

Week 4 has 16 minutes of running per session.

Week 5 has 15, 16 and 20 minutes of running in its sessions.

Week 4 is the big step up. And you didn't notice.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

Ha ha - I didn't, you're right! Thanks for great analysis

[ManchesterLad]

Hi I had the same fear as you and did two things at the end of C25K. First I purchased a garmin running watch which comes with plans for 5K, 10K etc, not same in ear emcoragement but helpful videos on app and clear path to improvement with data on your performance. (listen to radio or music whilst running to take your mind off things)Of course join your local Parkrun 5K on Saturday mornings and keep going - I just completed Wilmslow 10K after following this path

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to ManchesterLad]

Thanks a million. A Manchester Park Run is right outside my door so I'll have to work up the courage !

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm in the Manchester area too. My nearest parkrun is Chadderton Hall Park. If you see a guy running in shoes with toes in them, it's probably me. My first ever parkrun was Sale Water Park: flat but stony.

Some can be quite busy. Heaton Park usually has 400-800 runners. Chadderton is usually about 60-80 and I enjoy hanging around and having a chat at the end. My most recent ones at Cannock Chase and Bedgebury in Kent were bigger and the regulars were a bit more clique-y.

I'd recommend not starting with the ones in the Pennine foothills (eg. Heaton Park, Oldham, Chadderton, Watergrove, Hyde, Stamford Park, Lyme Park) if you don't fancy running up hills.

[ManchesterLad in reply to Hidden]

Once you've completed C25K just have a go! You get all ages and abilities running in a really friendly atmosphere, time really doesn't matter

[Hidden]

That's so encouraging...though I guess they have to pack up and go home at some point!!!!

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The volunteers don't go home until the tail walker(s) have come in, and they have a duty to come in last. (I've volunteered a few times.)

This is OK in summer, but when it's freezing, there's snow falling and there's a very slow set of visiting parkwalkers who are taking their time, it can be a bit hard on the volunteers standing around waiting in the cold at the finish funnel.