Am I running TOO slowly?: I've now finished Week... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Am I running TOO slowly?

18 Replies

I've now finished Week 7 and am on target to finish Week 9 by new Year's Eve unless I am floored by a mince pie (or more likely a pint of champagne in my case).

One thing though. "Laura" repeatedly advises not to try to run too fast but to keep going. Well, I've been doing that, but I am worried that my elderly jog is really TOO slow.

Is there a definition of the difference between running and walking?

I wouldn't worry but for the fact that my dog just ambles around to keep up, and sometimes I see him actually walking ahead of me. I mean WALKING.

18 Replies
Lessofme profile image
LessofmeGraduate

Ha ha I used to do this too...Laura used to say "Stop Running" and it quite often felt no different when I started walking to when I was running :-) You do get quicker and sometimes it's surprising as you're actually running more than you realise. I saw my reflection once when I thought I was nearly walking and actually I was definitely running. Slow is definitely best though, it all builds up over time

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

The difference between walking and jogging (or running) is the motion - in walking you always have a foot in contact with the floor, whereas in running you have moments where you're not in contact with the ground (that's why Olympic speed walking looks so weird!). If you're managing to complete the runs *very* easily, you could try speeding up a *tiny* bit. But if you're working hard to finish them, then your pace is right for you.

We have a tiny terrier, and he's very disheartening to run with. Even when I think I'm going quickly, he just trots along happily at his usual pace. At least with Fluffy Pup she's bigger, so I don't mind her walking so much! ;) (Fortunately for me, Tiny Terrier doesn't like going at my running pace for more than 5 mins at a time, so I don't take him with me. And last time I tried taking Fluffball after a break, she was happy enough in the warm-up, and then sat down firmly and refused to move when I tried running. Bah.)

Davoda profile image
DavodaGraduate

No! 😀 In the C25K there is no such thing as too slow, these 9 weeks are about building your stamina.

After week 5 I deliberately slowed down, as I was concerned I would not be able to finish it, if I kept going too fast. (lol that was after I joined this forum & read all the comments about doing it slow & steady! Not worrying about speed which would come afterwards.)

I also realised that C25K is a teeny weeny bit of a misnomer. It's getting you to run non stop in 30 minutes, regardless of the speed & distance. 🏃‍♀️😀 🏃

Davoda profile image
DavodaGraduate in reply to Davoda

Ps Your dog has 4 legs, you have only 2. 😉

in reply to Davoda

But they are only little legs :-)

Davoda profile image
DavodaGraduate in reply to

Oh don't let that fool you! 😉

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

When I did C25K, I had the same thought. If I run any slower, I could even be going backwards! However, looking back, running slowly was what got me through to graduation without injury. I now run three times a week - 2 x 5k and a 10k. I graduated with a parkrun and covered 5k in 43 minutes then which was a real push. My speed has improved a little as I regularly cover 5k in 35 minutes (between 6-7 minutes per km)! Slow is very important while on the programme, shows you are listening to your body and speed can come later - for me, I want to enjoy my running, go out regularly, cover at least 5k each time and explore different places to run and avoid injury - why do we need to run faster LOL?

Sofargoner profile image
SofargonerGraduate in reply to JoolieB1

this is an encouraging post for me to read as on Week 9 I am 11 mins per km....I I cant go any slower but I am getting fitter and covering ground and feeling it on my arms and butt and fitting clothes better.

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate in reply to Sofargoner

I have read that continuous running for 30 minutes three times a week results in SIGNIFICANT health benefits! I think the time running is just as important as the distance or the speed. Look after your legs and run at a speed that makes it enjoyable. Speed can improve as fitness grows

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Dogs always walk when you're running full steam and sweating buckets. It's a sad truth. There's no winning, so just keep on at the pace you're going.

Flossie22 profile image
Flossie22Graduate

I agree with all, I think your pace is just fine, better to go slow and steady than go for it a bit too much and end up on the IC. Graduate injury free, don't worry about your speed, you're here to be able to run for 30 minutes non stop. Take your time and enjoy your running at the pace that feels comfortable for you. 😀😀🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎅🏻🎄☃️🎅🏻🎄☃️

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Slow and steady but get out there and do it 😃🏃🏼‍♀️

I graduated mid September. I am very slow and only now working on trying to increase my pace a tiny little bit at a time. Enjoy the whole journey! 🏃🏼‍♀️😃

Always remember: a slow 5k is as far as a fast 5k.....I use that mantra very very often! 👍🏼

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Slow is the way to go. No such thing as too slow so long as both feet are off the ground sometimes! You're doing fine. Don't take any notice of the dog!

motherduckling profile image
motherducklingGraduate

I know exactly what you mean, I feel as though my dog has created a special gait just for when we do the jogging sections, because her trot is too fast for me to keep up, but her walk is just a teeny bit too slow. So she just sort of slowly jogs along - it looks pretty weird, but I am grateful :) But I think the important thing is to just try and keep going, from what everyone is saying speed will come later!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Slow is the new fast :)

You simply cannot go, too slowly... unless you stop! ( Confucius commented on that )

Stamina is what it is about... speed, and distance may follow, if you wish it! This programme, as the others say is about getting to the runs of 30 minutes, comfortably and having had fun! :)

Your little dog is just showing off... :)

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

I'm pretty sure that I did the jogging sections more slowly than the walking sections in weeks 1 to 6. 3 years on I'm still very slow - but I can keep it up over a good distance - slow is good.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

I wouldn't worry too much, going slow is fine...

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

My Fitbit almost always says I've been for a walk when I've been for a run. But really I am more interested in how many years of running regularly I can clock up.

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