For the past 7 weeks all I've thought about is being able to say I've done it! To say that I've done all 9 weeks and wow how proud I'd imagined I'd be. But part way through tonights 25 mins it dawned on me that week 9 is not the end and I just felt so tired!! It sounds stupid but I felt overwhelmed and like I did at the beginning - that I maybe couldn't do this; not the getting to week 9 bit I mean doing what comes after.
Sorry to be negative, don't get me wrong I am so proud of where I am now, I honestly didn't think I'd be saying "during my 25 min run" but can anyone understand what I mean? Maybe I just need a little shake!! I think I need to chill out and stop thinking to far ahead.
Written by
Leyther1
Graduate
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If you are anything like me, it was the getting fit aspect that spurred you on to try this in the first place. Getting through the programme is going to give you the basic stamina to keep going - if you want to! If you want to cut it down to once or twice a week, or stop altogether after Week 9, it's entirely up to you. If you don't fancy continuing to run, you could try another sport, safe in the knowledge that you are fit enough to do it
I was scarred to death of getting to the end, even imagined it might be a good idea to repeat some weeks before I got there! But then I set myself the goal of getting to the end, following every run to the letter (and sticking with Laura's choice of music - enough said!) without fail otherwise it was back to week 4!
I was worried about the lack of structure and routine. Sadly for me, there have been no runs either due to injury! [it's been 4 whole days].
I think I got 'hooked' in the last week, in some part down to getting interested in the stats of my runs (I downloaded a free App to my i-phone) and also because I was starting to enjoy running at last.
But I'm already planning what comes next. Think I'll try out the C25K+ (just downloading it now), and then I'm also going to start so interval running but aiming at getting faster, so that maybe in a few weeks i can knock some seconds off my pace.
I'm also going to start all over again (once hubby has fixed his leg) and be his own personal Laura!
I'm just looking forward to going out for a run for the hell of it and because I CAN DO IT!
I guess you need to ask yourself (as Tiddlywink was hinting) what has motivated you to get this far. Then use whatever that is to carry on.
There seem to be some many graduates who stick at it afterwards - so there must be life beyond week 9!
I think it's probably quite a normal reaction. This is a challenge - and you will succeed - and it will come to an end soon. Perhaps you're a little sad that it's nearly over. Maybe you are subconsciously mulling over exactly what you want from it.
Is it the challenge of completing the programme?
Is it simply a way to increase fitness?
Is this *the* fitness programme for you or might you want to move onto something else once you've finished it?
I'm sure most of us have considered these - I know I have especially when I found the going a bit tough. And I don't have answers yet! It's perfectly okay to say 'I don't really want to enter races or parkruns, I'm not sure I want to get to10k, I just want to run when I feel like it. Or even, 'That's it, I've done it but I don't want to run anymore.'
Be proud of what you've achieved. Relax and don't overthink it. By the time you do graduate, I'm sure you'll know what comes next!
Hey, here's a little shake for you - when you have completed week 9 you are then your own boss to do what you want. If you have really enjoyed running and the buzz you get from it, the way it makes you feel, not being able to wait to do your next run then you have been bitten by the bug and you will carry on in whatever format is best for you.
You will have proved to yourself you can run for 30 mins, something all of us thought was unachievable, and what you do with it after is down to you. I personally just love the freedom of going out there and running with no pressure of time or distance but purely because I want to and the great feeling I have afterwards. Its not to prove anything anymore or to win races but its just little ol' me trying to improve on what I have already built up.
I really thought I would need something structured again to keep me going but I have suprised myself, and maybe learnt something too, that I dont need that to keep going; its because I enjoy it and that is what motivates me.
So dont be overwhelmed; just do one week at a time and then when you do your first post grad run you can decide then what it is you think you need to keep going. You will be fine!
Thanks so much for the advice everyone, I knew I could count on you. I'll just keep going and see how it goes, I know there are options to keep this going after week 9 whether they be structured sessions or going solo - just need to work out what I fancy. Time will tell!
Well you must be running much better and fitter if you have time to have these thoughts whilst running so that’s an achievement in some way even if not the most positive thoughts. Just concentrate on graduating and like all the others have said on here you will then find out what you want to do after that. I’m running close behind you and I know I want to carry on running when I graduate because it makes me feel so much better as I am sure it does you. Yes I will miss Laura so I will try my own music and maybe the C25K+ podcasts, there are many options and so much to look forward to, keep going and banish those negative thoughts.
Haha! Thanks exwightman, i like your positive spin on it. I've been very upbeat about the process so far, it just kind of hit me that the C25K in itself isn't a magic solution to what I wanted; weight loss, being super duper fit etc etc. I just need to get a grip, grit my teeth and get on with it. If I can get so far with and complete C25K (which i will) I can do anything i put my mind to.
I too am sharing those feelings. but I'm starting to think it's the end of the beginning and not the beginning of the end. I think I need to start deciding what my next goal will be, so I can be planning ahead for starting it.
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W7R3 done!
It's not you, it's me...
Not pretty, definitely not gazelle like..... but I've done it!!!! 😊 
Taking A Lot Longer Than Planned But Not Giving Up!
Wow o wow! I did it!!!
