Help! I've got to run 5k next week .... - Couch to 5K

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Help! I've got to run 5k next week ....

newrunner56 profile image
newrunner56Graduate
9 Replies

I did Week 8 run 2 this morning but only ran 2.25 miles..... and next Sunday is the 5k Resolution Run for the Stroke Association. So I have to do .85 of a mile more in a week's time. Can I get that far with just three or maybe four more practice runs?

I'm not as fast as I was pre-stroke, but did average of

12:49 min/mi this morning according to my Garmin thingie.

And how do I manage the 5 min warm up walk on an organised run? Will the walk from where I park the car count for that?

Any suggestions and tips would be great....

(PS I managed to post this on Bridge to 10k first....... ever the optimist!!)

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newrunner56 profile image
newrunner56
Graduate
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9 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You don't have to run it all. A combination of walking and jogs will suffice to get you to the 5k. You can do all your warm up before the race starts.

I would do a 10 minute warm up before the race so you are nice and toasty. A walk, a little jog, arm swings, hips swings, high knees sorta thing.

Get your watch turned on to find the satellite so it's ready to be started when the gun goes off. Remember to save the run once you finish. I usually forget that bit. Doh!

Don't worry about this. It should be FUN! Walking on runs is fine by the way.

newrunner56 profile image
newrunner56Graduate in reply tomisswobble

It was the thought of walking with other runners zooming by that was daunting me. I hadn't realised it would be ok to walk part of it, and that has taken the pressure off so i feel much more confident now.... And i have to contend with a 61st birthday before the run, so will put the cake on hold until after the run...... (not to mention the champagne!!)

And I'm glad I'm not the only one to forget to turn the Garmin on (and off!) at the right time.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

First of all maybe stick either with miles or with kilom, otherwise it can get confusing. 2.25m = 3.6k. Do your warm up as part of the 5k. I can see from your times you are covering similar ground to me when I was at this point of C25k, so the warm up will cover a further 0.5k......taking you to around 4.1k . If you do your usual warm down walk that would be another 0.5 k. Taking you to 4.6k. So just a bit of run/ walk towards the end and you are there!

I think you can do this! My daughter did similar at Parkrun, she still finished in 36 mins! . But I would suggest you have a couple of days rest before the race. Too many pre race runs will take your stamina and could cause overuse injury.

Make sure you hydrate before your run as is usual.

Most of all, enjoy, it will be great !

newrunner56 profile image
newrunner56Graduate in reply toMillsie-J

I will have to talk to my daughter in law to get the Garmin into kilometres - she is a treasure and much more tech savvy than me!

I've worked out the runs - and will do the last one on the Friday night before, so will get a rest day in between.

I definitely can't back out - all my friends have been incredibly generous and I have raised £305 for the Stroke Association - I had a nasty stroke 22 months ago, and have come a long way since the zimmer frame!

Will post to let you all know how I did

And thank you for replying - i definitely feel much more confident now.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply tonewrunner56

No you don't need to even consider backing out, you are ready for this! You have done so very well, you should be very proud of yourself! #thisgirldefinitelycan

We will await your update 👍🏼😃

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Slow and steady, take the good advice and walk whenever you need to... you can do this....:)

And, if I may say so,... . to do this in such a relatively short time after a stroke and be worrying about maybe walking for some of the run!?

You are awesome for even thinking of doing it, and doing it for other folks too.... :)

Maybe if you have Justgiving link..pop it on here, often some folk may donate to causes close to their hearts!

So... in your own time, you just go for it, and enjoy the whole thing... :)

newrunner56 profile image
newrunner56Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Thank you - i often read your posts, and they are always very supportive, and often answer queries I hadn't realised I had, if that makes sense!

I hadn't thought of putting the Just Giving details on here - is it allowed?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tonewrunner56

🙂 A few folks have posted links..I think the fact that you may choose to donate or not and they are validated registered sites, like Just Giving or Cancer Research, is the thing..

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I think most of us having done C25k hot off the couch never dreamt one day we would be racing. I know it was never on my radar as something I would ever do. BUT who knew it could be such fun? It really is a blast! You'll be giddy with the fun of it! You see!

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