When is a good point to start thinking about my first 5K? I'm only on Week 5 of C25K so about half way through.

[danzargo]

[greenlegs Graduate]

It all depends...

Probably best to focus on being able to run continuously for 30 minutes first, then look at how far that takes you (rather than the other way round - if you focus on the distance first, it's very tempting to push the pace too hard, and then find it difficult to keep going).

Some people will be able to do 5k in 30 minutes in week 9, but that's pretty unusual. Some will concentrate on practising running for 30 minutes, to consolidate what they've managed so far, and gradually get a bit faster (often including some shorter faster runs, perhaps using the c25k+ podcasts), others want to get to 5k, so gradually extend their runs until they hit the 5k distance.

It's not uncommon for people to push too hard with pace or distance in the weeks after graduation and end up with injuries though!

[Janeymiddlewife in reply to greenlegs]

I'll second this, unfortunately, tried a 5k on week 7, now nursing an injury which is going to put me back a few weeks. I SHOULD have done a few more 30 minute runs and improved, rather than going all out for a 5k, realising it was much further than I'd thought and pushed myself to finish.

There's no rush really, is there?

[danzargo Graduate in reply to Janeymiddlewife]

You are right! Thanks.

[danzargo Graduate]

Thanks greenlegs. That's a fab reply and it gets you 10 points!!