Finally....

[carolinew]

I ran 5k. I graduated about a month ago while on holiday but have really lost my running mojo over the last few weeks, even though I've still been out there running three times a week. My motivation to get out has been my running "acolytes", a mother and teenage daughter that I inspired to start the program. With their graduation fast approaching my gremlins seemed to be getting worse and worse, some days I've only managed 15 minutes before stopping. However on Wednesday I started off with them and decided to just run but with different music. Instead of my usual ipod shuffle I decided to listen to a musical (Chess if you're interested). I was so attentive to the music and the story that before I knew it I'd run 5.22km in 38mins (my furthest before was 4.30km in 30mins) - and no gremlins! Today I had limited time, so running along to Joseph I did 4km in 28mins. Which seems to indicate an improvement in my speed as well! Happy days

And the even better news is that my friends, Sheridan and Aimee, both graduated on Friday!! Well done ladies :-))

[doggymum Graduate]

Well done on the 5k, another tick in the box for the C25K experience!

You may find now that having a 5k time might make you a little more motivated to get out there and work to try and improve it (I find that I challenge myself at Parkruns to push a little harder each time now...)

A change of music or scenery is always good as you don't have time markers, you can just lose yourself in the running

Good luck for your next run, keep the gremlins in their box where they belong!

[swanscot Graduate]

Well done on running for 5K for the first time. Maybe you'll by running along for entire musical sound tracks some time in the future

[oona Graduate]

Fantastic achievement, carolinenew! Sounds a great idea, running to a musical. I've been toying with the idea of using a downloaded book to run too but haven't got round to choosing a book yet! What's your next goal going to be?

[carolinew Graduate in reply to oona]

I'm torn. I've just joined a gym that specialises in strength and endurance, because that's my weakness. Now I've managed 5k I want to try a ParkRun - at my local one, Black Park, with my current time I'd be finishing in the last 20, but I'm thinking of going this weekend. I'm trying to start the B210K training, but I don't like keep stopping :-). I've just bought the HIIT Explained book by James Driver and I want to develop that side of my training as well.

I've never been any good at sport, so I think I have a "can't do" attitude, which is contrary to the rest of my life, so when the going gets tough I stop! I really need to overcome this if I'm going to succeed in any of these endeavours. Being able to run for 38 minutes is mind boggling for me (as for many others reading I'm sure) and in many ways I've not really accepted that I can do this - even with my shiny green badge

Ultimately this is all to help with my weightloss, so that when I finally get to goal my body is toned and fit and my skin fits the new me not the old me!!!

[oona Graduate in reply to carolinew]

Why not have a look at the 5k+ podcasts? I'm trying to get my time down for 5k and so I tried the stepping stones and speed podcasts. I liked the speed one because it only lasts 17 mins! It was quite good for a wee change! I, too, would like to try a Park Run but unfortunately there are none within a two hour drive unless I invite myself to stay at my cousin's! Whatever you decide the very best of luck!