GRADUATE CHAT...OCTOBER WEEK 2...PLEASE COME and JOIN US! UPDATE!!!

[Oldfloss]

Hello! Again !

Here I am for another quick Graduate chat!

So! If you’ve finished Couch to 5k, come and say hello,

This is the place for you to share how your runs are going and to get inspiration, encouragement from others, and maybe share your own tips here too? Plus... it will be perfectly fine for you to pop in here, if like me, you are a Graduate returning, however slowly, to the running fun.

⭐️First things first

How has your running been this week? What sorts of runs have you been doing? Successes, or setbacks? What are your plans for this brand new week? How are you planning to move on from the Graduation Podium!

I’ve had another good week, ! I’m repeating C25K right now... for the umpteenth time but enjoying it... slow and steady and enjoying this great programme all over again! I did Week 5, Run 2 yesterday and loved it! Except, I picked up a load of Conkers for my Granddaughter, and then had to run with them... in my pocket!!!

What a truly glorious time of the year this is....! As with many of us, I find it a splendid time to run. The temperature is weird and wonderful And this weekend was positively balmy.

Although I am repeating Couch... I do feel okay about being here, because as a Graduate already, I am using this as my plan for moving forward!

I am popping this information in here, for anyone who is just joining us here in Graduate Chat !

MissUnderstanding has put a lot of information out about what exactly happens here

 “Consolidation Club’s primary goal is to be a space for graduates to share their runs and to support each other to keep going. We as the admin team will try and keep you on track with things to think about, such as different ways to mix up your running, building in cross training, podcast recommendations and more… We’ll be cheering you on just like Couch to 5k too!

The tricky thing post-graduation is that there’s not one single route to take and we’re wanting people to feel that they can find their own way…sensibly! Nobody wants a post graduation injury so we’ll still be encouraging people to stick at around thirty minutes for a little while until that becomes comfortable-that’s the “consolidation” part of Consolidation Club! We’ll be recommending that you mix up your runs, keep your longest run lengths sensible and most important of all, enjoy yourself! “

There are so many different ways you can choose to continue running. It is very much YOUR choice. I was ever only going to reach 5K..but five years ago... just before I was 69... I did my first HM...My running just evolved and I simply enjoyed where it aver so gradually was taking me. All we try to advise is to, take your time. Ands really as MissU ,says, “... enjoy yourself “!

Here are some really useful links. and hopefully, they may help you as your running moves forwards!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

healthunlocked.com/strength...

So, that said, we need to know...I need to know, what are you all up to?

Have you a plan in mind... are you consolidating, if you are, how are you choosing to do that? Not always an easy choice... and consolidation and running for pure joy is a good way to begin isn't it?

This Week's Challenge...

Since no one seems to have had a scary run at all, to tell us about, in last week's challenge . I have been thinking about the odd weather right now and I and we want to know..

What was the WORST weather that you had to run in from when you began C25K to Graduation...Snow, rain, wind or hail...or something else?

One of the worst for me, was a day when I got caught in torrential rain and a White Van man tried to drown me... and another time, when Mr OF was supposed to have his phone on and he didn't.. I got caught out in a hailstorm on a 10K run and had to walk all the way back to our van , hoping he would answer the phone and come and get me. He didn't... I was not a happy snail... a very wet one....but not happy!

Do please, pop in and tell us your experience!... !

Looking forward to seeing some of you.

Oldfloss & the Team! x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

The worst weather? Ooh now there’s a question. I’ve got a few contenders but nothing beats ice for bad conditions. I was super keen not to miss a run. Didn’t notice my drive was covered in black ice. Got two metres away from the door, nearly fell over and came straight back in again. Never again!

I’ve had a lovely week of runs with a short, medium and longer one. That’s the pattern I found after couch to 5k and still suits now! Happy running new graduates! ❤️❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

OUCH!!!! That must have hurt,,, I only fell on ice once... and like you... never again!

Ice is really a no-no isn't it for so many of us...and I am really hoping that a few other folk as they graduate or are nearly ready to graduate will come and tell us what their experiences have been too !

You are having some super runs and this weather, ( about to change I think), is making the running very pleasant...and that pattern you talk about? Exactly.... mine was and is ( when I get back to the Grad podium, again), going to be again.... It works doesn't it? x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I really like this sort of weather-give me rain over boiling any day. My couch to 5k was in January and February so got used to it pretty quickly! I’m still hoping for some cold and crisp days…with no ice!!

[Never-too-old-run Graduate]

Bad weather? It's usually very dry where I am as I have yet to venture out of the shed that houses my treadmill!!!! I'm currently on Week 7 of the Consolidation programme that MissU sent me a few months back so I'm just coming up to my first ever 50-minute run. If I can manage it (after the 45-minute one which nearly killed me, I'm not too sure! 🤣) I'm intending to enter my first ever park run which of course will be outside for the first time too. As I write I'm getting the jitters just thinking about it!! If I'm honest, I can't see myself ever getting there. Such a defeatist attitude, I know, but I'm now 65 and keep thinking "Should I really be doing this at my age? Is it even safe with my old joints and ageing ticker?"

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Never-too-old-run]

Wow! Week 7-congratulations!! You’re doing brilliantly. Nerves and gremlins are totally normal-honestly, we all get them.

It’s also totally fine to adapt the programme you’re doing if you want a slower build. Every single programme I’ve done, including couch to 5k I’ve taken cut back weeks where I’ve just done three (or fewer!) really light runs and then picked up again. That’s always helped me feel energised.

You’ve achieved so much and that parkrun is going to be yours. It’s also absolutely fine to walk any part of it which might be a comfort if you’re worrying about running it all. Don’t let your head knock you off course!

[Never-too-old-run Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks. You're always so encouraging! You make me feel that anything is possible....... Have a great day!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Never-too-old-run]

Those pesky gremlins...! You are doing amazingly...just do it your way in your own time and as MissUnderstanding said...do the park run too, in your own way .Too old...never! I began at 65 ...now 73! You can do this...and have fun too! X

[Never-too-old-run Graduate]

Thanks Old Floss. I listen to Reese Parkinson too. With him, you and MissU encouraging me, how could I possibly fail? Thanks by the way for continuing to support us all week after week! Being part of a running community really does help xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Never-too-old-run]

How indeed ! We love supporting our runners aren't we all, just s lucky to be able to be here, doing this!x

[BarbieW Graduate]

Hi Floss, glad to see you’re still ‘slowly and steadily’ going! I’ve been a bit remiss on joining in the chats lately so here goes!

I decided to maintain my three times a week, whilst on holiday here down in Cornwall, but my first try on Tuesday, I badly misread the map and ended up climbing what felt like 20 storeys in about 50 meters and was not a happy bunny. Nor a smiley running one either, as I really had to slow to a walk, or was it a crawl. So tomorrow I’m planning a different route that looks a little less hilly.

But I have committed to OH that I will try the local parkrun here on Saturday, my very first “Parkrun tourism” and it seems that is v hilly too! And I’ve checked their results page and they only get about 100 runners, whereas I am used to 450 or so, so I can usually blend into the last few plodders like me. And now I’m not sure I won’t get lost as they don’t seem to have half as many Marshalls as at my usual pr

See, I’m already finding excuses not to go!

Re weather - I am an early morning runner, but I can’t actually remember ever being held back by the ice or frost first thing in the morning, before heading off to work. Now will be my first winter of running since I retired, and I’m really not sure about going out in the bad weather when I don’t have to go to work, and so could run later on. I have enough trouble deferring my run time for Parkrun, so I can’t imagine how difficult I will find it running even later than that.

Time will tell, I’m sure!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

I am so sorry that i missed this... we were haring here and there, in Wales, and I misses a few very important posts!

You have had an exciting and very challenging time with your running! That must have been a very tricky run and the thing is you have to continue or retreat!

I took ana peek and you DID do that Park Run... and you were up there too in the running HUGE well done you...if you are not sued to inclines it can be really hard,,, with me, it was flat things that threw me prior to my doing my first HM! You did well!

I would stick to your running routine... it is what suits you and you can , now since you retired, have a leisurely cool down, and stretch and a relaxed breakfast afterward! The day stretching before you and no job to hurry to!

I have had ice stop me from heading out, a few times. I then used my treadmill...now I have sold that I may just go on the elliptical those mornings!

You will have to see what works for you... !

Thank you so much for popping in.. are you still in Cornwall or back home now? x

[BarbieW Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes we’re here on Cornwall until Thursday then I have to get back for my penultimate cancer treatment drug thingy on Friday.

So I have 2 more runs to do here, maybe the fact they’re all hilly around here will be good training!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Hope Friday goes well x

You will be Queen of the hills by the time you get home... enjoy the few days you have in Cornwall... I am just off in the sunshine here for Week 5 Run 3 repeat... I must be getting stronger, I am looking forward to the longer run sessions! No hill start today though I don't think! x