I'll never make 5k in 30 minutes

[Azores]

I did my first run of week 3 this morning. I had been quite worried a 3 minutes is a lot longer than 90 seconds but it wasn't too bad, helped by the fact I was away from home and so running on a treadmill which I always find easier but less enjoyable than outside. (Normally I run along the front at Hastings which looks completely flat but inexplicably seems to go up hill in both directions without any going down bits!) But the treadmill thing told me how fast I was going or more accurately how slowly. I only managed 8.2k an hour on my final run which means even if I could keep it up for 30 minutes, which seems highly unlikely, I would still only manage 4k - mind you that's a lot better than nothing so I will keep at it. Have other people found they got a lot faster.

[LightDark Graduate]

Hang on a tic!

You dont need to worry about your 30 min distance for at least 6 weeks yet - thats bleeding ages away!

Focus on your acheivements so far - you are clearly doing well, making progress, and dare I say it - enjoying it! Take it easy, smile occasionally, and you'll get to where you want to be!

Well done

[misswobble Graduate]

That made me laugh! It's true. It's early days for you yet. Don't worry about coming weeks, just do each run as it comes, tick it off and then run the next one. Don't sweat the detail as you'll need all the puff you've got for the runs! The intention of Couch to 5 k is to get off the sofa and run continually for 30 minutes, which you will do. Of that I have no doubt. None at all. You just have to believe it.

[Azores Graduate]

Thank you folks for the encouragement. You are both right; I don't need to worry about speed but just concentrate on the next run. Yes, strangely, I do seem to be enjoying it. Weird if you ask me.

[mehitabel Graduate]

It took me close on a year to run 5k in 30 minutes. The important thing is to learn to run continuously. Speed comes with experience. Good luck!

[Daftpaddy]

I'm in my first week and I'm sure we all felt the same when we started out but looking at the other posts, it is achievable.. Keep up the good work, we will get there..

[Hidden]

It seems you are being a bit over-ambitious especially so early on in the programme. Why not just enjoy it for its own sake and not worry about speed or distance. I've just finished week 3 and can tell you that I manage about one and a half k in each session - but do I care? Not a jot. Best wishes.

[Choccychic]

I'm about to start week 6 and I'm no where near the pace for 5k in 30 mins. I felt the same as you at first but I've learnt to focus on completing each run. I'm sure we'll both speed up eventually!

[Renka Graduate]

Unless you're looking for a place in the olympic team what does it matter whether you can run 5k in 30 minutes or whether it takes you 45 or even 60 minutes. The point is you're out there running!

[nextjenn Graduate]

Nonsense! I graduated the program hitting nowhere near 5k, but who cares!? I ran for 30 mins! Now, 4.5 months later, I am running 5k in 36mins. So it will happen - look back over my posts. I had to do week 4 about 3 times! I was hopelessly slow, but here I am. Keep going, it seems impossible, but trust in the program. You will most definitely get there