Looking to push beyond Couch To 5K

[SaxPlayer]

I completed Couch To 5K in June 2018 managing 30 minutes (but not 5K). I then dropped off the pace and never made it back to 30 minutes so in April 2019 I decided to start at 20 minutes and by adding 1 minute a run, doing 2 runs a week, get back to 30 minutes and, eventually, finally get to 5K. In week 7 of my "revival" I ran 5K for the first time!!

Whoop! Whoop! So happy!

My best time is 30 minutes and 25 seconds, so not *quite* at the 30 minute 5K target, but pretty close! I needed something to help me get there and to push on towards 10K.

So, here I am. I've joined the "Bridge to 10K" group on HealthUnlocked and have downloaded a couple of the Couch To 5K+ podcasts to see if I can push on from here.

I'd welcome any tips and if anyone is interested, you can watch my entire journey from a staggering 1 minute run in week 1 of C25K right up to me finally achieving 5K earlier this month. It's on YouTube at youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hello Sax player, welcome to the Bridge to 10k forum.😊

I remember following your c25k journey and watched your podcasts.

Good luck continuing your journey onwards to 10k. The c25k + podcasts will be a useful training tool.

You may need to run slower to go further.😆

You may like to use Ju Ju's 10 is the Magic number plan to get to 10k. It works and the increments will get you there safely. Don't start it until you are comfortable running 5k though.

Good luck.😊 x

[SaxPlayer in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hi Bluebirdrunner

That all makes a good deal of sense to me and I welcome your experience as I was unsure what to do for the best. I'll take your advice and concentrate on getting more comfortable at 5K as that's definitely my limit at the moment. I'm going to give the "stepping stone" podcast a try on my next run tomorrow.

I went through a patch during the latter half of 2018 and early 2019 where I lost my way a bit with my running however I feel like I'm back to where I was at the end of C25K and am more optimistic about the direction I'm heading in.

Thanks for taking the time to give me your advice, I really appreciate it.

Regards

SaxPlayer

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to SaxPlayer]

If running faster is what you are after, the Speed podcast on c25k + will be helpful. Gaining strengh and running longer slower pace runs will help you to acheive a faster 5k time too.

No rush, improvement will come with time. 😊x

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Assuming you’ve been running solo, my guess is doing a Parkrun would immediately take you under 30 mins for 5k. The friendly competition will give you the push you’re looking for, and a base for taking on Ju-Ju’s plan.

Good luck 😀

[SaxPlayer in reply to UpTheStanley]

Hi UpTheStanley

You're spot on, I have been running solo. Someone else mentioned Park Runs to me too and I finally did some research on them yesterday. I was pleased to discover that there are several not too far from me so I'll definitely take the plunge and go on one of them soon.

They all seem to be at 9am on Saturday mornings and I'm not a morning person(!) so I need to talk myself into it gently or catch myself unawares so I don't know I'm going to one before I get there. 😂

Thanks for the suggestion. You've reinforced what others have said so I'd be silly not to follow the advice.

Regards

SaxPlayer

[Beccym Graduate10]

What about a running club? Love mine

Running with others helps pace and keeps you motivated. Mine runs in a league too. A real mix of abilities, ages and people. 16min 5k to 40. 17 years old to 77.

There are free ones out there though mine is £25 a year.

[SaxPlayer in reply to Beccym]

That's an interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll certainly bear it in mind. There's no doubt that running with other people does help to keep going!

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Welcome SaxPlayer!! You have an amazing 5k time. 🤩🤩! Juju’s plan has been great for so many!! I didn’t do my 10k that way, as it just sort of happened after just naturally running longer distances. But I’d still like to do it!! I figure it will be just the thing to keep me running when Autumn arrives 💡. I definitely struggled to go out during the winter months.

Sounds like there’s a lot of great running ahead!! Enjoy!! ❤️

[SaxPlayer in reply to Fabulous450]

Hi Fabulous450

Thanks for your kind comment about my time. I'm not sure it's all that good, really, but I'm pretty pleased to be close to 30 minutes - if not quite there yet!

I must do some research on this Ju Ju plan as Bluebirdrunner also mentioned it.

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm looking forward to getting out there tomorrow with a C25K+ podcast to see if that helps! 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to SaxPlayer]

Here is the link to Ju Ju's plan Week 1

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

There will be a new group starting it all together soon, or just jump in when you are ready. The plan is posted in the Pinned posts on this site.😊

[SaxPlayer in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebirdrunner, I'll check that out. 😀

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to SaxPlayer]

Trust me...the time is very good!! 😉 It might be some time before I get to that time, but I do enjoy doing the 5k’s!! I’m sure you’ll have a great time getting to the 10k and beyond!! ❤️

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Just read your post and realised that I had watched a few of your videos on YouTube what a coincidence 😊😊

[SaxPlayer in reply to Buddy34]

It's a small world 😂