5k in 30 minutes challenge

[lexiemcd]

I'm not the fastest but looking back to when I graduated from C25k in August to this morning's run I've certainly improved - albeit slightly. !! Now running at a steady 7.17 min/km . I take my hat off to all who can run 5k in 30 minutes...... doubt if I'll ever manage it myself but making it my challenge !!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Even a time of just under 35 minutes is pretty reasonable 'lexiemcd' I graduated the 30 minutes W9R3 at a distance of 4.2KM and two months later when my fasted 5K was done in a time of 33.40 which I am reasonably pleased with, I doubt like you if I will ever be able to run a sub 30 minute 5k.

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr]

Well done on your 5k time!! A wee personal challenge will give me something to work towards and keep me motivated . To think when I started C25k I found week 1daunting !!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You might well be at your happy running pace now, everyone is different. But you might find if you increase your distance for one of your runs that your 5k time reduces. I’ve been on the magic plan to 10k and my 5k time has reduced gradually each week at parkrun.

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5]

That sounds like a plan - thank you !

[telford_mike Graduate10]

My fastest ever 1k is something like 5.52, and I can’t imagine being able to do 5 of those. I graduated C25K in July. My PB for 5k came down gradually while I was doing the Magic 10 plan, now it’s at 31.24, but it's getting very difficult to shave more time off that. I think Dexy5 is probably right about finding our own pace.

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate in reply to telford_mike]

31.24 is an excellent time. I've had a look at the Magic 10 plan this evening and will see what happens when I increase my distance instead of just focusing on the 5k. Thanks for the advice.

[telford_mike Graduate10 in reply to lexiemcd]

The magic 10 plan is very good. Flexible in that you can do the runs in any order during the week, and doesn’t take too long. It worked really well for me.

[Empem Graduate10]

I secretly have a wish to do a sub 30 5k but I know I'll need to be careful. I have done a 34 minute 5k once. I certainly find the longer distances have upped my 5k speed a lot.So agree with pretty much everything above!

[Irish-John Graduate10]

33:45 was PB for me...but I didn't enjoy the race I got it in. That was two years ago and I've entered the same one but the 10k circuit this time. Planning on just trotting along and seeing if I can find a nice balance between pace, stamina and fun

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

I was reading a study the other day that said it takes 7 years to hit peak running fitness... and 3-5 before you’re putting in times that are close to your fastest as the diminishing returns thing really starts to bite. You have plenty of those years yet to run. If you graduated in August you were declared a runner by your coach in July at the earliest... and look at what you’ve done since. Your pace is very respectable for someone whose been doing this such a short time, so don’t write off that 30, just keep working at it, building endurance on a long run and it will come closer.

[telford_mike Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

7 years. Blimey I'll be 66 by then! MJ told me I was a runner in July this year, so hopefully I have a bit more to come 😀👍

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Wow maybe I am expecting too much of myself at this early stage then!! Your sensible and experienced advice (and from others) is reassuring - thank you. 😊

[Trazj in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yes this sounds about right. I started running at 24 to reinforce stopping smoking and get the asthma under control. It took till I was just over 30 to be able to run under 7 min miles. And doing 50 miles a week between 30 and 40 I got it down to 6.5 min miles over 13 mile distance. That included fartleks, interval training. Hill work etc. Fast forward 25 years with no running and after 5 months Ive managed to get down to 33 mins for 5k. My target is 30 mins currently, then it will be 25. But im running again and loving it.

All the best everyone

[Myrar]

Well done lexi ...im like you but my pace is slower than yours.. my best is 7.41 which is an increase for me.. ...maybe our running legs will keep getting stronger ...hope you do your challenge ...all the best on your runs 😊😊

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate in reply to Myrar]

Hello Myrar - it's strange why I feel the need to set myself this challenge of getting a 30 minute 5k. The sensible me says time doesn't matter just go and enjoy your runs - you're only competing with yourself........ the other me says you can do better.... maybe it's something resurfacing from my school days..... many years ago I might add 😂 All the best to you too on your runs 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️