Help! I graduated a while ago now, and I've kept up running 3 times a week... but I can't seem to get past 5-6k. without running out of steam. I think I need a new Laura in my ear pushing me along. Does anyone have any recommendations for apps or podcasts? I've tried the speed and stamina ones, but the don't seem to be working 
I have a 10k booked in December and am determined to do it!
Thanks in advance,
Get yourself a running buddy! I was in the same boat as you, graduated and got to 5k, did the race for life in June but only just! I carried on like you, running 3 times a week and signed up for a 10k (which is in 2 weeks!....eek!) but I started to really struggle and became really fed up, my get up and go had got up and gone!! luckily my older brother runs and decided to take pity on me haha, we have been gradually building up and hit 8k last night, with no walking breaks, and I think as bad as I felt and how much I was struggling, that if I can run that far without stopping anyone can!! Ive only been running since February and gave up smoking nearly a year ago, so its been a struggle to feel fitter but I finally now do I think so don't give up!!
Good luck and keep posting how your getting on 
Slow & steady does it & you'll be amazed how much you will build it up.
I've not used a podcast but I did download the Bluefin 10k one which seems pretty good but not as encouraging as our Laura is.
Try adding a wee bit of either distance or time to one run per week & see how you get on.
My first 10k is December too. Which one are you doing? X
Well done for signing up for the 10k! There are some apps and 10k programmes out there, but none of them really tickled my fancy because they all go back to interval training, and I was too proud to walk between runs. I had the idea of building up one run per week by 500m, and keeping the other two runs at 5k. I never really did it, though, and did my first 10k by accident on Tuesday. Now I'll be trying to do one long and two short runs per week, maybe using a speed or stamina podcast for one of the shorter runs.
What do you mean by "running out of steam" ? What kind of steam?? 
Breath? Leg muscles? Overall energy? Mental stamina? All these things will eventually come to you. In the meantime , stop thinking that you MUST run 10K with no walking breaks !!!! Or show me where that is written in the Bible?? You are perfectly capable of traversing 10 klms right now !! and the primary object is to enjoy doing it - else why would you bother?? You can always slam your fingers in a door jamb instead - it doesn't take as long as running 10K and the pain goes away more quickly!!
There are MANY 10k running programmes - look for those which are for first timers --
That hits the nail on the head. It's taken me quite a while to start to properly understand this, following this forum (so not at least lurking here is a big mistake for the new runner).
The accuracy with which this hits the nail on the head can be guaged by looking at the consequence of taking the opposite point of view, which would definitely result in whoever said it "hitting the nail right on the thumb" (which is a brand new way everyone may use free of charge for saying someone really badly did not hit the nail right on the head
They will work if you keep doing them. Maybe cos you stopped doing them you didn't reach the required fitness to take your running up a notch. They will help you so stick with them. Laura voices them over so you'll be on familiar territory
I have used an app called Runkeeper. It doesn't sound as inspirational as 'Laura', but there is a variety of different programmes to help beginners. The good thing is they are varied in style so pick one that works for you, you get a voice in your ear telling you how far you have run, how long you have been running and whether to run fast or slow. You can share your progress with friends who also use the app. It monitors your pace and draws a map of where you have been. Over time you can see your progress. You may right now feel you have run out of steam, but think back to when you started.
I agree with the advice that there are no rules about whether you walk or not. Jeff Galloway has written some great books on running if that's your thing and he believes that even at high levels the run, walk, run method improves your times. He says if you are huffing and puffing you're working too hard, so walk until you are back in comfort zone and begin running again.
Keep it up mum of 3, sometimes you plateau for a while...
My aim was to run at a pace of 6 minutes per km over 5km which seemed like a very tall order considering when I started 2 years ago my pace was around 7:45 min per km. I am now pushing for below 5:30 min per km over 10km. My times are irrelevant as this is a personal thing, but I just wanted to demonstrate that over time you can improve by running regular sessions
Let us know how you are getting on
Justin
I suspect what you need to do is have some faith in your own abilities. If you can run a slow 6k, then next week you can run a slow 6.5k and the week after you can run a slow 7k and so on. For your other runs of the week, don't feel compelled to run 5k each time. Sometimes less is more. One nice 30 minute run and one short interval session (try w1 of c25k but run as fast as you can) will help build your stamina, whilst leaving you enough in your legs to increase you distance during your weekly long run. Very best of luck. Let us know how you get on.
Slow but sure progress
No progress
Help! No motivation! 
Progress?!
