Confused by the Stepping Stones podcast.

[Honorsmum]

Having graduated at the beginning of the week, I've moved onto the Stepping Stone podcast today for the first time.

In the intro, Laura mentions using it to speed up. I followed it exactly, but after plotting my run on Runkeeper, it seems I covered less distance than I did on my week 9 runs.

So...does that mean it's too slow for me - or does it mean I need to lengthen my stride to make it work?

I seem to have a natural pace that is pretty standard for all my runs (by that, I mean, I cover 5k pretty much every 30 min run), and the thought of changing my stride length feel a bit...strange.

Or have I missed the point?!

[Hidden]

I've tried Speed and Stepping Stones podcasts and couldn't get on with either of them for the same reasons you mention. I've now decided to plan my own interval running sessions.

[Oryxx Graduate]

Wow! Well done! I'll be looking to start these this week as 5k actually takes me 47 minutes... I ran my first full 5k on Saturday to see how long it would take me and I was a little disheartened that 30 minutes for me is only just over 3k. I do seriously need to work on my speed but I found that in my 5k, I was going really slow (still jogging) at the end Well done on already being there!!!

[redredjaprabbit in reply to Oryxx]

I also take 47 mins to run 5K. I have tried each of the stepping stones podcats in the last 2 weeks but didn't manage to maintain the speed on any occasion - slipped back to my usual speed around half way through. I found it disappointing becauseI had no difficulty with C25K when I started as a first time runner at the age of 68. Will keep at it and hope to report back that I get there eventually.

[DizzyMum Graduate]

I tried the stepping stones podcast this morning for the first time and had to walk for a couple of minutes in the middle. First time since week 6.

I realised that in my usual run my speed increases the longer I run, and settled into it. Starting off at a faster pace really threw me, my stride did shorten whilst I tried to concentrate, and the later burst of energy just didn't happen, but the distance covered was only slightly shorter than usual- even with the walk.

All in I think I'll stick with it for another couple of runs

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I've alternated the three runs since graduating in March and enjoy all of them. I do the Speed one if I have less time. I don't worry about the distance covered but have found it's increasing week by week so it is working.

[alcopop Graduate]

Stepping stones can be great but is not for every one. I went from C25K and tried stepping stones, but got frustrated with it and went on to a B210K program instead, which I found great.

Give it another few goes and in conjunction with the speed podcast, if after that it does not work out, there are other running programs out there. This site will always be here (I hope) so you are never alone.

Good luck to you

[sofaqueen Graduate]

I've also done the Stepping Stones and found I am only covering 3.7K in 30 minutes which is what I was doing by week 9. Someone else on here has done the same Stepping Stones and covers 5.2K. I'm only 4'11" tall whereas he/she is 6'1" so I guess leg and stride length has something to do with it although 1.5K difference is quite a lot! If you're covering a shorter distance than before it sounds like you were going at a faster pace before. I quite like have the structure of running to the beat and tried the Speed one which I liked too, but am yet to try the Stamina one - waiting for the weather to cool a little before I try that one!

[samsward87]

As with pretty much everyone else who has replied - I finished C25K on Saturday and did my first Stepping Stone run yesterday. I actually thought it was alright but didn't cover 5K, it was more like 3.54K which is ok for 30 mins or however long it is...