I think I am missing Laura...........

[Secretrunner]

I graduated at the beginning of December and was didn't run for two weeks over Christmas and then have been managing a couple of runs a week but mostly for about 20-25 mins of actual running.

I went for a run on Sunday and again today and only managed 15 minutes of running before giving in and walking. I will admit to being an expert in exercise avoidance up to starting Couch to 5k and don't want to get back there, however, I am finding running just a bit boring. I need a new challenge but I wonder if I should go back to w6 for a bit of running confidence building. I have tried varying my routes and I have signed up for a charity 5k at the beginning of March but really lack oomph, for want of a better word. I would like to to a park run too but haven't managed 5k yet and really don't want to come in last. Anyone else feeling that way or been through this after graduating?

[thinnerandfitter Graduate]

Hi SecretRunner - Have you tried C25K+ for some variety? I can totally hear where you're coming from, getting bored with the normal route and generally lacking oomph. I was suffering similarly but found that the pace instructions in C25K+ gave me something new to focus on and a way to improve without just doing "more of the same". Several people here seem to have found Stepping Stones a bit frustrating the first couple of times they've tried it but you do grow into it. Speed is nice and short - you can also keep a count of the intervals so you know how much further to go. Stamina is (for me) more of a challenge - that's the only way I've ever come close to 5K.

I don't know how I'd do now if I was told to "run for half an hour" - I think my pace would be very messed up (this was a problem in week 9) but with C25K+ I'm fairly sure I can get there. Next I need to get some of my own music "paced" so I can make up some sensible playlists.

Hope that helps and keep letting us know how you're doing.

Ann

[Secretrunner Graduate]

Thanks for your reply Ann, as always this forum is so great for knowing that whatever you are feeling, someone else has already been there and has a remedy.

I'll have a go at the Stepping Stones podcast next and let you know how I get on. I have tried Speed and Stamina and found them a bit too fast for my pace.

When did you graduate and how are you doing now?

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yep try C25K+, you will have the lovely Laura shouting in your ear again. I love Speed, Stepping Stones I found quite hard going and Stamina was well worth a try for variety. All of these will help build up your strength and stamina.

Another thing, don't put off ParkRun too long. They are a lovely bunch of like minded people, check out your local one and see what sort of meeting it is. The results page will let you see how fast the slowest is to give you an idea of what to expect. But you know in every event there has to be someone coming in last. What surprised me on my first one was that the last person wasn't me. At 61 I was well chuffed and I'm sure you will be too.

Wishing you luck and keep on posting it helps when you are feeling a little bit alone and proves that you are not, we are all here for one another.

[swanscot Graduate]

Since you have a specific event planned, with your charity 5K run, I'd draw up a 'training timetable', working backwards from the date of this run. Tackle some of the 5K+ podcasts as the others have suggested and write these in your timetable so you know in advance exactly what you're going to do each day (obviously you can be flexible to allow for unplanned changes), but I find it useful to know what to expect each day.

It's recommended you only do fast intervals one day a week, so try the Speed podcast one day; maybe Stepping Stones one day (then you may wish to move onto Stamina) and one day, run slowly for as long as you can to your choice of music - or no music.

You may also find it useful to leave space on your training timetable to write in what you actually did - in terms of time or distance. This way you will be able to see progress over the weeks just as the C25K plan showed an increase in time running each week.

[jasehuss]

Try and find a local park run (google Parkrun.org) out brings a whole new social aspect to running everyone at my local one is really friendly