C25K Graduates. Any interest in a thread for those not ready for the ‘big’ running thread but want support/chat?

[JonHammIsMyJamm]

I was on the fab c25k threads as a newbie and a graduate and wondered if there was any interest in a chat thread for graduates to chat about progress and whatnot?

I feel a bit like I’m in no man’s land on the exercise board. It can be disheartening to see people talking about running x numbers of 5ks a week when you’re blowing out of your arse on w2r3. On the flip side, whilst the main running thread is full of lovely people, I feel a bit of a fraud with my plodding 5kms .

You're not a fraud! You're as much a runner as they are! Congratulations on graduation and keeping on going!
But! Also - I do understand!
I've just joined my local running group, the beginners group (even though I graduated end of May)
I've been out with them twice, but feel I want to run more than them - but not as much as the next group up - the Improvers! Bit of a no womans land 🙄🙄 pfft

I graduated 2nd June, @OldSpeclkledHen , so I’m just behind you. I hear you re running groups, like a RL version of my dilemma! I prefer running alone, so no danger of that in RL for me, at least.

I’m ‘running’ a steady, plodding 5km 3x a week on average. In the last week, I’ve tried to up the ante a bit by adding a speed intervals session in, to challenge myself and improve my fitness overall.

Can I join you? I’m a 5k plodder - got there a month ago and want to keep going, improve pace etc but not up to the hardcore running thread on here.

Hi @LadyandtheTea, please do! Have you been out battling Storm Francis? I did my speed intervals on the treadmill, so didn’t have to contend with the wind.

I'm so pleased you have started this thread - can i join please? I'm another plodding 5K -er but I love it. I'm about 6 weeks post C25K and still going out 3 times a week. I'm quite excited by being able to run but also a bit scared of somehow forgetting how to (!) or having a bad run and being put off because it still feels a new habit.

Hello. I'm in a similar place. I've recently graduated from C25K and I'm trying to run for 35 mins 3 times a week at the moment.
I'm really slow so won't be doing 5k - I'm not that bothered about times and distance. I just want to feel fitter and tone up.
Once the 35 mins is easier I'll go for 40 mins and that will probably do me.

I'm in my late 40s and have never been a runner but I'm really enjoying my plodding runs.

I listen to podcasts and enjoy the peace and connecting to my body.

I am another plodder - recently graduated from c25k and running three times a week but never going to be doing loads and loads!

I’m in! Can’t remember when I finished but still at the around 5k 3 times a week but with walk breaks! I found a fabulous website by some American Olympic runner who trains people to go faster/further by always planning walks within the session and it does seem to work! I have an app that lets me set up different times to run/walk (sort of like custom C25K) and do that
Today was a disaster tho!

Oh, it’s so nice to see more joining . I’m slow, my usual 5km time is 37m 30s and it’s comfortable-ish but I still find that time pushes me, I’m by no means phoning it in!

The Galloway Method, (walk/run) is really commonly used by ‘proper’ runners, @PetraDelphiki. I really like it as a technique, it works for me. I like the sound of your app. I’ve been using w1 of the c25k for my speed intervals, just skipping back to run sections so i can do 10 rather than 6 or 8.

I like the ‘connecting to your body’ idea, @Beachcomber. I try to do the same, sort of lose myself in it. On a good day, I manage it.

The app is called seconds. You can set up all sorts of things but the most useful is that you can name each section then it does text to speech so I either have it say which run number I’m on if it’s lots of the same or how long the run is if it’s variable! You could even use v short sections just for things like “halfway “ or “one minute left”.

It’s a bit of a faff to set up but it’s really useful! One really good pattern is decreasing runs (7,6...1) with a minute in between - then the runs get shorter/easier as you get more knackered!

There’s also something very psychologically different between stopping to walk after 7 minutes because you’re tired and stopping because it’s planned! Same length running/walking but the first feels more like giving up and the second is achieving something!

@JonHammIsMyJamm. My running time for 5k is also 37.30 on average (fastest has been 36.30). I don’t think there’s any shame in that! I’m aiming to run more regularly and hopefully improve my times but my main motivation is to keep going and maintain this through the autumn/winter.

My next goal is similar LadyandtheTea.

It wasn't difficult to find the time to run during lockdown and my summer holiday. Next goal is to keep it up when I go back to work and then to continue when it gets cold.

I was really surprised / proud of myself that I took my trainers with me on holiday and used them!

Wasn’t in the mood for running this morning but thought of this thread and went out for a 30 minute run. And felt better afterwards .

At the moment I’m generally running before work (start at 7:30 but I work from home) but although it’s fine now will be a bit darker at that time before long..

Room for one more?! I finished earlier in the year, but just can't seem to progress much further at the minute. I have to take it easy with any increases because my knees don't like it but I always forget and push myself so then have to slow back down, now I've hurt my calf doing something else but obviously that's stopping me run and I really struggled in the heat so felt like I'd hit a bit of a wall recently. No man's land is a good description! During the heat I have had to drop back down to run/walk a lot more than I was but I've decided it's better to do that and finish then tire myself out and give up. Hoping another weeks rest will cure my leg then I can get back at it!

Woohoo! Well done @MirandaWest.

It is FREEZING and chucking it down here today. I might use the treadmill again if it doesn’t ease off, rather than do it outside. I’ve got to walk the dog outside which is a necessary evil and I can don the waterproofs for it, but running, not so much.

Welcome, @ProfessionalTeaDrinker . Injuries are rubbish, aren’t they? A knee injury is what stopped me running last time. I ended up having a year of physio and about 2yrs off running, so I had to start from scratch with c25k. Rest and building back up gently sounds good to me. Do you do anything else, exercise wise, to support your running? I do a bit of Pilates and yoga (as well as dog walking). I find they help support and cross train other muscle groups between runs, that’s supposed to help prevent injury.

@Beachcomber I’ve also had some flexibility during lockdown so have been able to keep up with my running. I’m worried that once work starts back as normal and the weather turns, darker mornings etc I won’t go out as much. Really need to get good habits now.

Can I join? I bought a treadmill at the start of lockdown as I was shielding, completed C25K which I thought meant I'd be running marathons by now before breakfast! In truth I'm a plodder, stay on the treadmill and do the same speed. Can't say I love it but I worked to hard to build up my stamina to give it up now! Would be great to hear tips on how to make it more enjoyable, in truth I think I just miss someone telling me when to stop and start!

Have you looked at Zwift @HGC2? Its like a virtual world with different races or runs and I think you can set up training runs. It's mainly cycling focused but they do have a run section as well. Or one of the other running apps/training programmes? They might suit you if you need something to keep you going/more structure?

I do some yoga @JonHammIsMyJamm but I'm not consistent enough with it really. I only do it at home as well, so not sure how well I do it! I'm thinking I should be more consistent though and perhaps add something else to build up my strength a little more. I do flit between the indoor bike and HIIT videos as well but again, not consistently!

I’ve got an indoor bike too, a spin type one, but I absolutely hate it. It’s DH’s really, so I don’t feel guilty about not using it .

I did go on the treadmill last night, again another 37:30 5k. I did 5.5km. The first 3k felt amazing and then I had to wipe my face. I totally lost my breathing rhythm breaking my stance leaning forward to grab the flannel and then spent about 0.7km gasping and trying to get it back on track. SO ANNOYING.

I’ve got a slightly tight right hip, so I need to get on the yoga proper, to loosen that up a bit.

waves, Hi everyone. I graduated about two years ago but have repeated twice because of injury/illness. I'm still a plodder. I thought I'd be doing 10k like a gazelle by now but it's still hard work.

I'm really missing Parkrun. We still go out on Saturday mornings and do a local 5k but I hope it comes back before too long. I try to do 5k three times a week..work permitting.

Morning all. Had a run this morning. Just under 5k and found it quite hard until I looked at my watch and realised I’d gone off too fast. I definitely have to remind myself every time to settle into a pace rather than go in fits and spurts. Like a lot of you I’m a little injured, dodgy hip due to RA and it’s been playing up. I’ve been doing lots of stretching and Pilates but it probably needs a week off. I’m scared if I stop I’ll never get back to it though as the weather changes...

I’ve never done Parkrun, @beguilingeyes. I’m a solo runner really. It seems to be one of those things that people either LOVE or hate. I know loads of runners/joggers who love it.

Well done on getting out @NotquitewhatImeant. I used to have real issues with pacing, I’m much better at it now but I have no idea why or how it changed!

I’ve just done some more ‘speed’ intervals on the treadmill (5min walk / 10x 1min fast run/1.30min brisk walk / 5min cool down walk). I say speed, its probably most others’ normal running pace but for me it’s a spurt at 11kph.

Toad in the hole for dinner. I’m hungry!