5k query

[Flybe]

I graduated c25k a while back. Was so excited but then sort of fell out of love with running and stupidly stopped 🤬. Life got better so I started again and remembered why I enjoyed it so much.

Graduated again a couple of weeks ago and have done 6/7 consolidation runs. This morning I set out to run 5k which I did but it was hard. After I got home and cooled down I found myself thinking I’ll do that again on Wednesday. Does it get easier the more you do it? although I really want to run 5k 3 times a week my head is telling me I can’t do it. Help please.

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

Hello Flybe I think we are suffering similar things - putting ourselves under pressure because we think we should do 5K every time we run. I completely took the pressure off today and chose to do a shorter, timed run. Know idea what the distance was. I loved it!

Like you I’ve stopped and started lots of times since graduating and I’m determined to keep running and keep enjoying it this time.

I’m sure others will give you some excellent advice about mixing it up post graduation, maybe focusing on other things such as time on shorter runs. For me it’s about listening to my body and celebrating what I do rather than what I don’t do. I’m hoping that in this way I can stay injury free and as the song goes, keep on running 🏃🏼‍♀️

You’re doing great - be kind to yourself!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

It happens to so many of us. You’re back in a great place now to be running again. Don’t lose sight of what a win that is. It’s hard coming back.

5k isn’t a naturally happy distance for me. I like running shorter or longer-I often find 5k tough. How long did it take you? You might be better keeping that as your weekly longer to avoid having accidentally increased your running time significantly-going from three 30 minute runs to three 5ks could be a big jump in how much time you’re running for.

Another option could be keeping your two others as a bit shorter, maybe even with one of them a little faster if you enjoy that sort of thing. Then you get used to running 5k while not having to do it every run! Mixing runs up is a really good plan to help avoid getting bored or injured. Some great advice from SweatyHettie in her post.

There’s a new Graduates’ Chat thread that could be a really good place to find other people finding their way to a happy run pattern after finishing Couch to 5k. Oldfloss will be more than happy to see you over there too!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Flybe Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi MissUnderstanding. Thank you and SweartHettie for your replies.

It took me 46 minutes to do the 5k. Was probably the last 1k that was the hardest. I could hear my head saying you can’t do this..walk a bit..no one will know, which is daft cos no one knew I was doing 5k anyway 😂. I’m never going to be the fastest but that isn’t really an issue.

I will head off directly to the Graduates chat and see what wisdom Oldfloss will share with me.

Thank you again for your help x

[Vespina Graduate in reply to Flybe]

Ah, I remember that one with my brain telling me I should stop. Those post-graduation runs were tough because I didn’t “need” to keep going as there wasn’t a plan to tick off. A few things helped for me:

Mixing up the routes: road, trail, new places, etc. Keeps things interesting. I use the Footpath app to find routes.

Get a new plan: I felt a bit adrift after graduating and that led to me feeling there wasn’t a reason to do 5K. Deciding what came next gave my runs a purpose and stopped that annoying voice in my head. It can be a plan (like JuJu’s magic plan if you want to go up to 10k) or just a plan for that run. I found Nike Run Club to be a great help.

Run to heart rate: this has been a game changer for me and made sure I was running slow enough. It gave me the joy back and the mediative quality that I get with long walks. I had to slow down a bit but it was so worth it.

If you can get through this patch, it will get better. It massively did for me. Keep us posted

[Herbpie Graduate]

Well done Flybe. Give yourself a big back pat!I think there are a number of factors, but I find mixing it up makes the 5k runs easier and more enjoyable.

I too am currently doing consolidation runs and doing Fartlek is helping me gauge my pace better.

I'm running 3-4 times weekly and trying to mix it up with cycling, walking and weights.

You know your strengths and limitations best. Good for you.