Help!

[godzed]

I am just about to 'run' W8r1& was feeling quite positive then read some posts about speed & distance. I'm only achieving about 4.5 km in total & now worried that I've only been pretending to run. I know I'm slow but I had just been happy to complete each run! Aaargh. Now feeling a bit of a fraud. Should I be achieving 5 k by now?😟

[SC1472 Graduate]

Nope!

The whole point is to run for a time period and not a distance. To be able to run the distance you are doing in the time you are doing it means you ARE a runner.

Some people will run 5k in 30 minutes but the majority won't in the 9 weeks. We are all different ages and weights.

Keep up the good work you are doing and just enjoy the running.

[godzed in reply to SC1472]

Thank you! Really needed some reassurance - must be having a mid-programme crisis! 😊

[Hidden]

Slow running is still running. The programme is about minutes not distance. You should be feeling positive if you have got this far. Well done, keep going and ignore any posts about speed or distance.

[Hidden]

Sounds like you're doing absolutely fine.

[Rignold]

Could you link the posts regarding speed and distance that you read? I am rather surprised because, of the many hundreds of posts on these topics I have seen or contributed to, every single one, without fail has said that it is not about speed or distance during the programme, that 5k is not the goal at W9, and that slower is better. I don't think I have ever seen one that advised to the contrary.

[godzed in reply to Rignold]

Hi Rignold. Not sure I could find them again - they weren't negative posts but just got me thinking that I'd missed something. Feeling reassured by kind posts. Thanks

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to godzed]

There have been a few..ignore them and do it your way... slow and steady.. take it from The Original Grey Snail

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Rignold]

There are a few out there, Rig... I am always banging on, (to the point of being annoying some would say) , about slow and steady, but some folk have made it clear that way was not for them..( Might not be a good plan for anyone to link those posts...friendly forum and all that :))

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Ignore all that.... very few people achieve the 5k in 30 minutes.... its about being able to run for 30 minutes that is key to the programme.

[Gwibiwyr51 Graduate]

Like Orwell said " all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others "; you keep doing what you've been doing so far it works for you, otherwise you would not be where you are now. The hardest runs are behind you, keep positive and keep on running at your pace and you will be a success.

[godzed in reply to Gwibiwyr51]

Thank you! 🙂

[Millsie-J Graduate]

You are doing grand. Just do more of the same. Graduation is so close runner!

[godzed in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you. Can't believe I've got this far!🙂

[MarkyD Graduate]

You should have received sufficient reassurance by now.

But to be 100% clear for anyone reading with a similar concern, the 'Official' graduation requirements are a pinned post:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

"30 minutes OR 5km". For the majority, that's 30 minutes.

[godzed in reply to MarkyD]

Really helpful - thanks.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

No. And I'm pretty sure most people don't achieve the 5k in 30 minutes on 'graduation day'. Many of us are so close that we run a couple of extra minutes on the day to make the 'magic' number. You're a runner🏃 .

[godzed in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you! I still find it hard to believe that I am finally joining the ranks of runners I have previously driven past thinking 'how can they possibly enjoy that???'. Now I know why!! 👍😃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Nope..ignore anything like that, and any advice that says you need speed or distance. Slow, steady and a structured build up to thirty minute runs..having had a great time en route!!

You are doing just fine Cruise towards the podium, injury free and in style

[godzed in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. I managed 28 mins today & feeling really sore but very pleased with myself! 😃

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

I'm on Week 9 and not even achieving 4.5km. Don't worry about it - you can concentrate on increasing your speed once you've graduated!

[godzed in reply to RebeccaSK]

Thanks - feeling better after so many positive comments. Onwards!!! 🙃

[Dusketh]

If you feel you can run for longer then keep going even after Laura says slow down, but do not feel you have to. If you want to ensure you have done a 5k later, get an app like run keeper and change the settings to tell you everytime you pass a K, as well as allows you to set a 5k as your goal. The aim is to get your body Used to running , then at the end there are options given to speed you up, or get you running further if you so wish.

[godzed in reply to Dusketh]

Thanks - useful to know. I'll have a look!