W8R2 vs Beer and the telly: So the battle in... - Couch to 5K

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W8R2 vs Beer and the telly

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduate
โ€ข17 Replies

So the battle in the mind has kicked up a gear. Questioning why I'm going for a run when I'd much rather just chill out in front of the TV. Thinking to myself, I'm tired, do it another time. Remembering that I don't actually enjoy running anyway so what am actually trying to achieve. Plus, my leg muscles are just constantly feeling it, because they're either recovering from a run or as soon as they have recovered, I'm back out running again.

Well, despite all this mental gymnastics going on inside my head I put on my trainers and headed out into the dark.

As expected, I had a good run. A slightly tweeked route ment for a massive hill at the end and for the first time didn't struggle up it. So that's my reward and crown for tonight.

Parkrun on Saturday then it's Week 9. Graduation is so close, I can almost taste it.

Determined to get to the end of C25K but I am going to need to find my next challenge/plan pretty quickly otherwise I know my midweek runs will drop off again. The Saturday parkruns with a couple of mates will ensure I run at least once a week, but I'm not sure how well I'm going to do simply running 30mins without a reason. Especially when my body says it's tired and my mind can't be bothered.

What are some of the best follow on plans you know about?

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Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_Run
Graduate
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17 Replies
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backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

I consolidated (I repeated week 9 3 times, just to make sure I had the 30 mins in my legs), then I moved onto the Bridge to 10K forum to do 10K following the Magic plan. When I had consolidated that, I started moving on to HM distance (still in progress).

But you could also work towards improving your 5K speed or any other goal you want to set yourself - I find it useful to have a goal

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduateโ€ข in reply tobackintime

I might follow in your footsteps. I've always been more interested in distance over speed (in my mind, speed is competitive where as distance is challenging).

How does the bridge to 10k work? Is there an app or podcasts in the same way C25K works, or is it a written plan that you have to follow yourself?

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduateโ€ข in reply toBike_and_Run

it's a written plan that you follow, there may be a new group starting together soon roseabi will be able to give you the dates, but you really can start any time you want

There is a forum called the Bridge to 10K forum where most people following the plan post

tiggs1 profile image
tiggs1Graduate

Well done ๐Ÿ‘I have to admit I need a goal or I lack motivation so I know where you are coming from. I looked for a local 10k race next year and registered for that on May 3rd so between graduation (in a few weeks time) and then I need to be able to run double the distance that I can now!

I am going to work on the advice I have read on here and plan to do one run that is 30 mins at a slow and steady pace, another run after a rest day that is going to be adding 3 mins each week and then on a Saturday do Parkrun and try each week to knock a little bit off my time as I would love to get a sub 30 5k.

All going to plan after 10 weeks I will be running for an hour once a week, 30 mins at an easy pace once a week and then a 5k at a pace that is fast enough to break a sweat :)

Good luck! :)

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduateโ€ข in reply totiggs1

That variety sounds good.

Finding time to run an hour 3 times a week feels impossible, but once a week should be feasible as long as I can keep my arse off the sofa once the kids are in bed... The minute I sit down, I only want to get up again if it's too go to bed ๐Ÿ˜ด

Rogie55 profile image
Rogie55Graduateโ€ข in reply totiggs1

I always break a sweat! But iโ€™m A lady of a maturity. Ha

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduateโ€ข in reply toRogie55

I'm not sure I quite fit into the 'of maturity' category (my wife thinks I'm a long way off being mature) but I too always break a sweat.

tiggs1 is clearly fitter than she realises if she can run 5000m without breaking a sweat ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿคฃ

tiggs1 profile image
tiggs1Graduateโ€ข in reply toBike_and_Run

hahaha I am also mature just not sure many would agree I am a lady :) I don't break a sweat as I don't run fast enough to... when I was out the other day someone offered me encouragement to 'keep going, you can do this' and I then pointed out I wasn't struggling and this is my normal slow pace :)

Rogie55 profile image
Rogie55Graduate

Well I find the Park Runs, a great way of keeping me focused. I run 2 days + a park run. Now looking at a run for next year. new Port marathon looks good. Itโ€™s flat! I too need a goal. Yourโ€™ll find it. Good luck Saturday. Iโ€™m visiting, so itโ€™s Finsbury Park ,Park Run for me.

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduateโ€ข in reply toRogie55

Saturday will be my third PR but I've clearly come along at the right time. It's Plymvalleys 7th birthday, so they've partnered with the local trainline to put on a special train taking us from the carpark to the start line. Should make for a good morning, as my family will be making use of the train and supporting my run too.

Shame I'm not a week further ahead in my C25K plan, as this would have made for a brilliant graduation run.

A flat marathon? That's definitely the way to run 26miles !

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate

My way was to set myself a few goals, e.g. can I shave a couple of seconds of my 5k time? or can I run for an extra 500m/5 minutes? From there I switched to the Bridge to 10k forum and followed(ish) that plan to get me to 10k and beyond.

I still run three times a week when I can, and it's usually 1 long run (10k+) and 2 shorter (~5k) runs. I'm still mixing it up by trying to improve how far/how long I can run on my long run, and trying to knock a few seconds here or there off my shorter ones).

I have a few organised 5k/10k runs that I've signed up for to keep me working towards something as well.

It's really just about finding what works for you.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Try and remember how good it feels to complete a run that's what kept me going. Also you have to keep up your running look at all the work you've put into getting where you are . There is a bridgeto10k forum like this or if you look in the play store or app store depends on your phone there are quite a few free 5k to 10k plans. Keep going. Well done you ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ

Bluepup1 profile image
Bluepup1Graduate

I agree motivation can be an issue but youโ€™ve got this far so donโ€™t give up once uโ€™ve graduated ๐Ÿ™‚

I canโ€™t really add anything to the suggestions already made so try a few, mix it up and see where your journey takes you ๐Ÿค— x

Blossom66 profile image
Blossom66Graduate

Iโ€™m gonna do the 5k to 10K !

Well done btw

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate

I'd consolidate for a few weeks while nosing on the Bridge to 10K forum, then join in on Juju's Magic 10K plan...a whole group join online and there's weekly posts to encourage, add strength training and see how everyone's getting on! That ought to force you out the door for a little bit longer ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduateโ€ข in reply toRun46

That certainly seems to be the popular choice from what I'm hearing.

I see the current group is on week 5. Is the idea to wait until a new group starts on week 1? If so, how long is the plan?

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduateโ€ข in reply toBike_and_Run

It's an 8 week plan and it's entirely up to you...if when you're ready they have a new group starting you can join it but if you've already started you can still add your name though you're a couple of weeks in, or add it and start a couple of weeks later.

They're very flexible, I think it's just about getting your name on the list to encourage commitment ๐Ÿ˜

I'd imagine as we've 3 weeks to go there'll be another coming up a few weeks after that but Roseabi who's running this one can advise you better ๐Ÿ‘

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