Week 9 run 1

[hobocat1950]

I must be the slowest runner on the planet cos I did my 30mins but I did not know how far I had 'run' so I drove round the route and found I had only gone 2.4 miles nowhere near a 5k. How do I improve because I do feel knackered afterwards is it because of my age (66 next week) or something else. Fed up with snails overtaking me!!!! Help

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You do realise that you're only ** 0.7 ** miles away from 5k?

Keep at it and you'll improve slowly

John

[hobocat1950 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Is that all? Cos when I converted miles to km it seemed a lot more!!!! That's the trouble when you still deal in 'old money' thanks for you info and support

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to hobocat1950]

5km = 3.1 miles

You're closer than you think

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Don't worry, I don't think many of us are much faster than that! Only the young, fit naturals. Don't worry about speed it's stamina we need (so they tell me).

I'm 10 years younger than you on week 7 and I'm running just slightly faster than you (but really not much and only on a good day!). They say many finish the programme and are running 3.5 km in 30 minutes. You're doing that already.

After graduation we learn to speed up - apparently!

[Hidden]

Not many, myself included, manage to run 5k in 30 minutes so I wouldn't worry too much about distance, just enjoy the run. As John has said, keep at it and you will improve over time. Good luck

[Slowstart Graduate]

Wow, you're doing great.

Don't worry about the distance... from the posts I've read, not many people run 5k when they graduate. You'll run further and speed up naturally the more you run, just keep challenging yourself and be proud of your personal achievements. I bet you didn't think you could run this far when you started!

Try using the website gb.mapometer.com to check your distance and plan your runs.

[Hidden]

W oah ! 5k is 3.1 miles so you are not so far away .. that is somewhere near I would say , you are being far to hard on yourself ..

Not everyone achieves 5k in 30 mins think my 1st was 37 mins ..

You have a few years on me so hats off to you , 2 runs to graduation

Keep at it you will do just fine plenty of time to work on distance once you graduate

[saul01 Graduate]

Don't worry too much on the stats, just enjoy the run. Keep at it, the speed will come naturally later. Just remember it's not a race, it should be fun.

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Bless you, you ran for 30 long minutes, well done. As I went through the programme, I was pretty unfit so it took everything I had to run for the times given. Running slowly shows you are aware of your own body and its limits, you found a speed that allowed you to run for 30 minutes without stopping or collapsing! I was very slow too while going through the C25K programme. Now I have graduated, I kept doing 30 minutes until I felt good, then kept running to 5K. Running slowly protects you from injury too, so be kind to yourself.

I can run now for over an hour and have done 10k quite comfortably. That is because, like you, I found a pace that made running possible without doing myself harm.

My speed built up as I went along, once my lung capacity was improved, my legs were stronger and I felt more comfortable!

Even if you continue running three times a week for 30 minutes, you will have significant health benefits and the most important thing is to get to a place where you enjoy running - and racing about at a speed that is uncomfortable won't be much fun. Julie

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hey... less of the snail comments...

I am a Grey Snail ...66 in April. It is so, not about speed..or distance....at all!!!!

it is about running for thirty minutes...!

Be delighted, be thrilled, be proud of yourself...be anything but down... we are out there... at our age!!!! shock horror!!!! not sitting watching Daytime TV in our cardigans and carpet slippers... we are doing it, RUNNING... Go us!!!!!

Onwards and upwards, you are so nearly there..Graduation!

So, no more despondency please

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Hey no worries! How many other 66 year olds do you know that can run for 30 minutes?

Lots of us don't manage 5k in 30 minutes when we graduate and I am not ashamed to admit that I never have managed that although I do regularly run 5k. Just consolidate and build up your distance gradually.

You've done great!

[Hidden]

I have just looked at my last parkrun which I ran in 37.45. What was my time at 2.4 miles ? 29.35. You're doing absolutely brilliantly !!! p.s I'm younger than you.....

[Running-scared Graduate]

I think you're doing brilliantly and shouldn't feel disheartened at all! I'm 37 and suspect I'm far more of a snail than you! Stick with it and you'll do great, I think this running business takes a lot of patience, but it all pays off no end Personally, I'm not going to even look at anything that tells me pace or distance until after graduation... I like blissful ignorance! Even covered up the treadmill screen with a tea towel so I couldn't see or feel sad about pace or distance. It's even better outside as absolutely no clue how far or fast! You really are doing great

[redcat123]

I'm glad someone else is having the same experience. I have just done R3 of week 7 and feel I am running sooo slowly. But I made it and even managed to speed up on the last minute. What does everyone recommend for when I graduate as I don't want to do the park run until I can comfortably do 5k ? Thanks.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

I never think about the distance covered, I just focus on the length of time I run - and 30 min is amazing, considering where we all started from. Sounds to me as if you're doing really well and should be proud of what you have achieve. I too wonder if I am too slow a lot of the time but I don't see the importance of speed. I will always be a recreational runner and I do it for my health and because it makes me feel good. Just after graduation, which is not long ago, I got knee pain which made it difficult to walk downstairs so I prefer to be extra careful now. Speeding up when our bodies aren't ready for it could cause injury. I prefer to build up the length of time I run, working towards 60 minutes. Only then will I consider consciously speeding up shorter runs, if at all. Look forward to seeing you graduate

[hobocat1950 Graduate]

Thank you to everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement 👍👍👍😀😀😀

[LauraLouP Graduate]

wow! That's great - as others have said - you aren't far off 5k. I think 5k was an arbitrary figure that sounded catchy! I still can't run 5k in 30 mins. I was at over 40 on graduation. just broke 35 mins last week. Slow but steady improvement is the best.

Keep going - i bet you do 5k in 30 mins before me