Concentrate on 5k or go for 10K?

[runningnanny]

I graduated C25K on New Years Day and have been plodding along doing various steady runs, intervals and some hills. I am still quite slow - did 5k in 43 minutes on Monday (I am 56 so never going to do it in 20 minutes!!) I was thinking that if I now do a 10k plan it might also improve my 5k speed, or is that just wishful thinking?!!!

[Maz1234]

My pace did seem to improve as I started do the longer runs. I don’t know the reason behind it as I never really focused on speed I always wanted to go more distance but mine went from 37 min 5 k to a 30 min 5 k over the months. Good luck.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I'm a year older and moved up to the 10k plan quickly after graduating c25k in October. I now just go and run different routes, different distances, different inclines as the mood takes me - and the weather. It's nice to be able to mix things up without worrying about whether I can do it and every run becomes a successful run. The choice is yours whether you want to keep with what you do or mix things up a bit. Whatever your choice make it a happy run. 🤗

[runningnanny in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you - which plan/app did you use?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to runningnanny]

Ju Ju's magic plan brilliant, mixes up the distances. Link below from. Buddy34

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Getting to 10k may increase your 5k speed but you know just enjoying running is more important.

If you're interested this is the plan that lots of people used to get there.

You can run the distance or timed one. 😊😊

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[runningnanny in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you I will take a look

[RunSkippyRun Graduate10]

Hi Runningnanny

My experience is that time has steadily improved by whilst just consolidating. The first 5k run (end of Nov 19) was a bit over 42mins, the last Saturday was 35 mins. I'm lucky with no injuries nor illnesses so have been getting out three times a week. Mostly it has been the same type of run - between 4 and 6k (max is 7k so far but I'm aiming for 10 eventually), sometimes a little hilly, sometimes flatter, but nothing dramatically different. The improvement hasn't always been consistent (+2 minutes one week, -3 the next) but over time it seems to have magically improved.

I like the comments above about enjoying the run - for me that's key in keeping on consolidating, enjoying it: OK the first 10 mins of a run can hard for me, but going with others, or a nice route make such a difference to my mood and desire to run (I am sooo much looking forward to Spring and some warmth and lighter evenings).

Congratulations on your achievements so far and best wishes

[runningnanny in reply to RunSkippyRun]

Thank you. Also looking forward to the lighter mornings and evenings- I prefer running outside but my hubby bought me a treadmill for Christmas as the roads around here are very dark at night!! It has meant that I can safely get my runs in.

[Jogunlikely]

I started Juju's plan just to give me a routine not with an aim to run 10k. I really enjoyed the different lengths of run.

You could use the shorter run to work on speed if you fancied. Or just doing the extra distance will improve your 5k time.

Ps your 5k time is a little quicker than mine. Target for this year is a 40min 5k.

Good luck and have fun x

[runningnanny in reply to Jogunlikely]

That’s a good idea! I will also be happy with a 40 min 5k although really I am just happy to be able to run for more than 30 minutes!!