Graduation highs and Cto5k+ lows...

[ediththegeranium]

So. I graduated on Friday! Whoop whoop. Unfortunately, reveling in joy and self-satisfaction was short lived due to certain, horrible, unforeseen circumstances later that morning. However, I'm pleased to report that all is well now, and now that I've had time to take stock I'm actually quite proud of myself. I could never I have imagined nine weeks ago that I'd be jogging for 30minutes non-stop. However, I say "quite"....

In all honesty I'm also a little bit disappointed in myself. I've been running SO slowly (I see the snails and Slow Dorises shooting past (which brings me to ask a. What is the collective noun for a group of Slow Doris - a troop of Slow Dorae??? - and b. What on earth is such a creature doing prowling the towpaths of North Yorkshire? Have they migrated specifically with the intention of mocking me? Anyway...) I've been running so slowly that I haven't managed 5k in 30mins (closer to 3k). Boo!

So, determined to increase my speed, for my first post-graduation run I chose the Cto5k+ Speed podcast. And oh what woe and misery awaited me! I realised I was in trouble when I was struggling to keep up with Laura's marching pace in even the 5min warm up walk. The 'gentle run' section was blimming faster than I'd ever run at any point in the nine weeks prior. And as for the faster interval speed - well I nearly keeled over with a mixture of shock and fear. Needless to say, I walked at least half of the slower intervals and stumbled half-heartedly through the faster ones. Help! Do my previous 'achievements' mean nothing?

I'm trying to convince myself that "a bad run is better than no run at all" and that at least I did get out of bed (eventually) this morning to go out for a run/stumble in the rain. But I can't help feeling like a bit of a failure already!

I hope the rest of you are continuing to do well and are in better spirits than I!

[swanscot Graduate]

If you feel you're running slowly, then I can see why you wished to try the Speed podcast. But the Speed podcast is fast. If you wish to try other C25K+ podcasts, I suggest trying Stepping Stones; it starts slower.

Stepping stones: 10 minutes at 150bpm, 15 minutes at 155bpm, 5 minutes at 160 bpm (bracketed by walks as usual).

Try the 150 bpm and see how that goes. If that is your limit for now, maybe you could find other tunes that are 150 bpm (try audiofuel or jog.fm website) and make a playlist from them.

If 150 bpm doesn't feel comfortable use the running music sites to find tunes with a slower beat. Maybe you could make you own playlist with intervals of different tempo tunes. Using jog.fm, for example, if you run at 10mins/km, it gives a list of tunes with a tempo of 90bpm.

[ediththegeranium Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Thank you so much for these tips, swanscot, I'll look into audiofuel and jog.fm. And for my next run I'll definitely be doing the stepping stones podcast instead. Thanks!

[Mitts Graduate]

Thank you, Ediththegeranium and swanscot, I'd thought of trying the speed podcast this week but I think I'll learn by your experience and try stepping stones instead!

I don't hit 5K in 30 mins yet either, on a good day I can do it in about 35 mins. I reckon we'll all get there in our own time - if we can run for 30 minutes and keep training, then we're going to get faster in those 30 minutes - aren't we? Just a matter of time.

[ediththegeranium Graduate in reply to Mitts]

You're right, Mitts - positive thinking and perseverance! Thanks!

[tantrumbean Graduate]

What I have been doing is using the original c25k week one podcasts, but jogging on the walk bits and running on the jog bits to work on my speed. I find it easier than running to the beat and it's actually quite good fun - plus it allows you to go faster, but not impossible fast to a beat you just can't keep up with.

[ediththegeranium Graduate in reply to tantrumbean]

Right. Thanks, tantrumbean, I'll maybe give that a got for my next run (or the one after i do stepping stones). Yeah, I found it very hard to run to the beat this morning too - was making excuses, trying to convince myself it was because of my short legs rather than lack of fitness! Haha.

[vixiej Graduate in reply to tantrumbean]

what a good idea! I will try that when I graduate

[gdeann Graduate]

First off: CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!!!!! I feel slow also, but as everyone says, speed will eventually come. Thank you everyone for the great advice on what to do after graduation, I am in week 8 and am disappointed with my speed/distance as well. Ediththegeranium, I'm looking forward to seeing that graduate badge next to your name!!!!

[ediththegeranium Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Thanks, gdeann! I suppose slow is at least a faster pace than staying put on the couch! Good luck with the rest of this week and week 9 - I know that if I can do it you DEFINITELY can!!

[vixiej Graduate]

every time you feel low, just remind yourself that you have graduated, a really big achievement. Did you believe you would do it? I bet there were times you thought not. This is the same, it's a new challenge and you will have highs and lows, but you will succeed. Good luck

[ediththegeranium Graduate in reply to vixiej]

Thank you. Yeah, I never really thought I'd actually graduate - I normally give up everything after a few weeks, or a month tops - so I suppose this was a pretty big achievement! Hope you're enjoying yourself too, vixiej