Will I ever get to 5k

[AmyF]

Hi, this is my first post. I have just completed week 3 run 2. I managed but I am slow. I have been reading other posts which say speed doesn't matter but I can't help thinking how will I ever get to 5k at the end of week 9 in 40 mins??

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

C25K is really misnamed, but c230minsrunningnonstop really doesn't have a snappy ring to it does it? That's what it sets out to do though, 30 mins continuous running. That's a great goal in itself no? I still can't do 5K in 30 mins, and I graduated in September. Lots of us never reach it...well done for getting this far, don't worry about speed or distance, that can come later...enjoy your journey! XX

[AmyF in reply to Curlygurly2]

Phew, I was starting to panic that this was an impossible mission. I'm really enjoying but did start to feel disheartened. If I can ccontinuously run for 30 mins that will be a massive achievement do for the time being I think I will put the 5k part out of my head. Thanks

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Probably not! Most of us struggle to achieve that and I am one who, more than a year after graduating regularly runs 5k - but never yet in 30 minutes.

But I really don't care. I'm out there. Im fitter than I have been for years. I am a runner - and you will be too!

[Hidden]

By the end of W9 you will be fitter and able to run for longer, it just works, you will be able to do 5k...wait and see...I doubt whether I'll ever crack 5k in 30 mins but hey, the 5k is definitely do-able.

[misswobble Graduate]

You will. The programme is specially designed to get you there so don't worry. Just go with the flow, let Laura lead you and just do it. Take each run as it comes. Tick it off and move on. Just submit to it. No anxiety, just slow running and walking.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Maybe, maybe not, but what's important right now is to carry on with the programme. If you keep it up, I promise you it will change your life. You can worry about 5k this or 30 minutes the other later on.

Come on Amy!

[Maturelady Graduate]

I think this is a bit like "size doesn't matter" if you are enjoying it distance and speed will come it doesn't matter. Once you get to the longer runs you will soon eat up the ground and the distance will get better. TRUST LAURA first to get you to the end of the programme then you can concentrate on speed and distance. Keep running and enjoy.

[Hidden]

everyone is so right, really dont worry about the distance or speed as that will come later for now just concentrate on completing the timed runs each week ..

Laura and the program will have you running for 3 x 30mins in week 9 then the running world is open for you to acheive what ever you wish

Enjoy the journey and the changes it will make to you along the way

[poppypug Graduate]

Agree with all the above Amy. Speed doesnt matter , it really doesnt xxx

Enjoy the programme , dont panic, keep calm

All you need to do is trust the programme, it is tried and tested and proven to work. Please dont be disheartened, you are doing absolutely great . You really are !

Good Luck, slow and steady is the way ! xxx

[Coddfish Graduate]

I won't be able to do 5k when I graduate next week, but I will do at least 3.5k and maybe 4k. I have set myself a target of running 5k in less than 40 minutes (post graduation) and will see where I get to. I am not pressuring myself (that being the level I think I need to be at to join Parkrun without keeping the organisers waiting too long).

When I started on Jan 2nd, I could barely raise my run above walking speed. So each week gives you more running time, with which you are likely to achieve a little more speed along with more distance. 8 weeks ago I could not imagine being able to run 3.5k in 28 minutes, which I can now do.

Stick with the programme, don't worry about speed, whatever you are doing is far better than being on that sofa!

[5kOrBust Graduate]

Hello Amy, I had exactly the same thoughts, and still don't reach 5k on my c25k runs (and I've just finished week 8). But what I didn't realise was how well this programme prepares you for running longer periods, and by coincidence, longer distances. Remember you're still doing a lot of walking at week 3 (I still do 10 minutes on week 8). But last Saturday I did a Parkrun, and although I'd never run 5k before I did it in 37.25. By the way I'm about 4 stones overweight, so if I can do it, I reckon most people can. Good luck with it, keep the faith and do as Laura says Cheers, Steve

[AmyF]

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. I do feel less disheartened now hopefully in 6 weeks time I can tell you all I managed to run for 30 mins no matter how far it is.

[AdamB Graduate]

Don't worry about the distance. Just concentrate on running for 30 minutes - which is what the programme should get you doing at the end of 9 weeks. The distance will come later. It might be that you eventually speed up enough to run 5K in 30 minutes. However you might just get the 5K by running for longer - 35 or maybe 40 minutes. Again, that will come with time. Two months ago I was seeing a 30 minute run as my ultimate goal. Today I just ran for an hour and a half - and I don't feel any the worse for doing it.

Trust in the programme - it will get you there.

[christop]

I have always taken this c25k thing to be 'after w8 you will be running for 30 mins and then if you keep running 3 times a week after that you will go a little further each time'... like curlygurly2 says - not a particularly snappy name.

You just keep at it and you will run 5k in under 30 mins