A question for graduates...

[operation2015]

By the time you completed week 9 run 3, were you able to run 5k in the 30 mins you had trained to run for?

Does that even make sense?! Haha tell me if I need to word that differently.

Kimberley x

[no-excuse Graduate]

No I wasn't able to run5k in 30 minutes until nearly a year after graduating. That was my goal for the year. I got there in the end. The main thing for me was to enjoy my running first and foremost, the goals just kept things interesting x

[Hidden]

Nope didnt manage 5k on graduation , nor the 30mins , C25k is really being able to run 3 x 30 mins to graduate if you manage to run 5K in that time then that is great also .. luckily I managed 5k not long after graduating and sub30 5k recently ..

[Vixchile Graduate]

No I wasn't able to run 5km in 30minutes by the time I finished c25k programme and really have to put my mind to it to do it now, plus I need all the "right" conditions. I am happy as I know I run 5km and beyond and my time will improve with training and cooler weather

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Nope and still can't!

[Atalaya Graduate]

Nope me neither. Best time to date is just under 39 mins.

[hilbean Graduate]

No I couldn't and it's something I'm still aiming for

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi Kimberley, to graduate I could run for 30 minutes, but was not reaching 5k, my best time for 5k is just over 36 minutes. It's more about your ability to run for 30 minutes to graduate, if you're a speedy soul and can reach 5k that's brill. But don't get hung up on the distance enjoy the stamina you are building and the good things it's doing for your whole wellbeing.

Happy running

Mx

[Coddfish Graduate]

My next run is W9 R3 so I am not quite a graduate but am very aware of what I achieve because I am at the point of completion. On my graduation run tomorrow I will aim to do between 3.5 and 4k in the running section (ie ignoring the distance covered during warm up and warm down), based on my previous performances. I use Runkeeper to track my distances run by run (I gave up on Laura in week 5).

I am female, 58, I expect to be able to run 5k without stopping in a few more weeks, but not in 30 mins. If you look up finish times on the results at your local Parkrun you will get an idea of what might be a realistic target for your age range and gender. I am sure everyone who completes C25K can build up to being able to run 5k without stopping but a lot of us may never get to the point of being able to do it in 30 mins. From my observations on the site I think few get there at graduation but many carry on running on their final run until they have run 5k.

To get the most out of the programme you need to complete the runs - and that means going slow, slower than you might think.

[Buffy007 Graduate in reply to Coddfish]

You have it spot on! Good luck with your run tomorrow - I look forward to seeing the G word after your name.

[Caroline69 Graduate]

No, and still can't! I'm just thrilled to be able to run! My quickest 5k is 36 mins, and my longest distance 10k. I graduated in Oct 14

[AndyD Graduate]

Nope, me neither... still just under 39mins....

[Rignold]

If you do a search on the forum you will find the '5k in 30 minutes' question is probably those most oft asked of all.

The 5k/30 mins thing is entirely arbitrary. The programme is designed to get you to running 30 minutes. After that you can prgress to running wahtaever distance or time or speed you want but none of it makes you any more or less a runner.

To be honest, even now, other than in races or specific tempo sessions I never run sub 30 minute 5k pace when I am just 'out running' for enjoyment.

[JohnBlake Graduate]

I graduated mid December 14, and still can't do better than a 36 minute 5k, but I am 140 years old!

[AdamB Graduate]

Yes, I could - just, but my starting base fitness level was probably higher than a lot of people's. The aim of the programme is to get you running for 30 minutes continuously. Getting to 5K is a secondary target and that comes from either running for more than 30 minutes or speeding up a little (both of which come from the consolidation of the C25K programme by continuing to run regularly).

Finish the programme and then continue to run on a regular basis and you'll get there to 5K. The great thing about C25K is that it shows that just about anybody can reach the point where they can exercise for 30 minutes at a time if they commit and have the willpower.

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Not a hope for me! I am a slow burner, just like Ed Balls .....!

[JohnBlake Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

You're like Ed Balls? Frightening! And just as I was starting to like you!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to JohnBlake]

I didn't say I liked him!!! He's a horrid little man!

[JohnBlake Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Actually, he's a big fat, slimy odious man, obviously not a runner like us!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Nope.

Took me another 3 months. Did I care? No. It's the running that matters, not the time.

[pinkangel16 Graduate]

Nope, me neither! Took about 4/6 weeks to reach the 5k mark, and my quickest in a shade under 35 mins.. can't imagine ever getting that any quicker either.. but that's fine.

Just go out and enjoy a nice run, better that way

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Took another couple of months to get to 5k and never done much under 34 mins - doubt I ever will!!

[Hidden]

No, me neither. I graduated in December and my best time is 38 mins . I don't think I will ever manage 5k in 30 mins and it doesn't bother me.

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I graduated a couple of weeks ago and managed 33 minutes. It'll be a while before I can get much faster.

[Buffy007 Graduate]

No.

[KofG Graduate]

I just completed week 9 run 3 today. I had to run about 33-34 minutes to make it to 5K, so not quite 30 minutes, but I am determined to get there eventually. Hey, I'm just amazed that I can run continuously for 30 minutes, even if I only covered 100 yards!!

[5kOrBust Graduate]

Simple answer - no. My PB for 5k is still only 37.35, but as I lose a bit more weight each week and my stamina improves it's coming down. I hope to be close to a 30 min 5k by the end of summer.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I can say yes to that question, which leaves you with a totally unscientific "2 out of 25" C25kers achieve 5k in under 30 minutes by graduation, and also shows you that you are in good company, so enjoy your running and beating your own PBs, that is all that matters.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Alexm88]

No, I did my week 9 run 3 yesterday and made around 4.5km, I think it would take me about 35mins to run 5k ATM, but I'm not bothered about speed I'm just happy I can run that long!

[Hidden]

No, I did about 4.5k in the 30 mins and then promptly got stuck on the injury couch where I've been since the end of January so haven't had a chance to better it.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Still not there after graduating in August - 29 seconds to go. Hoping to hit that sometime this year once the ice melts and I can work on speed again.

[caj62 Graduate]

No, have been running for 2 and a half years, and can only do sub 30 minutes if I REALLY push it! 30 mins is the first target, once you've done that you can try to build up distance and speed if that's what you want to do.

Good luck.

[Windswept1 Graduate]

No, and never will. Just enjoy.

[petal51 Graduate]

No, and never will either! It's only important if you want it to be. I love running for me, not for the clock.

[Jase44 Graduate]

Just enjoy the 30 minute run everything else will slowly fall into place Kimberley, we all get fitter at different rates. It's just fantastic that you are running. J