C25k parkrun advice

[eatsleeprepeat]

Hi! I’m new to Heath unlocked hoping you might be able to offer some advice.

I’m doing the c25k program, and I’ve been going to parkrun but I wish there was a program that got you round the whole 5k right from the beginning rather than building up to it. Anyway, I’ve just been doing whatever week I’m on x 2 on a parkrun or just doing it once and then walking the rest apart from a ‘sprint’ 😂 finish!! Any ideas what approach is better?

I started c25k back in May and apart from the odd week off here and there I’ve actually been good at going out, but I haven’t progressed past week 5! By way of background, I do have Breast Cancer and am undergoing active treatment, so don’t judge me too harshly!!

Also, I tend to do:

Wednesday 30 Min walk to school, c25k back

Friday 30 min walk to school, c25k back

Saturday: parkrun (see above)

Does that seem ok? I think maybe the gap between Saturday and Wednesday is too long...

Thanks in advance for your help! 😀

[Midriff_Crisis Graduate]

Do you think you could somehow adjust to Monday / Wednesday / Saturday?

I'm just thinking that this would give you two rest days before your Parkrun, which you could use as your weekly test / run 3. It would also spread your runs out a bit better in the week.

In the intervening days you can still do your walking, perhaps walking back from school at a faster pace than on the outward journey?

[eatsleeprepeat in reply to Midriff_Crisis]

Thanks @midriff_crisis - I could adjust to that schedule but it would mean an early start for me 😭😂 but, no pain no gain as they say! Friday walking Plan sounds like a good idea too

Hey @ju-ju- I think the main reason I’ve not got past week 5 is that I get to week 5 and then for whatever reason (school holidays, feeling rubbish from treatment etc.) I have a week or two off and then have to start again (I.e. at week three or four depending on how I’m feeling). I know I need to push on through though.. 😱 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Well done on your progress... is there any reason you haven't gone beyond week 5? It sounds like you are doing the 3 runs a week which is great? Did you try week 6 and it felt too much?

[KatyKaycd Graduate]

I used Parkrun as my R3 from week 5/6 onwards as I found that running with other people really spurred me on. However I found that it was much better if I had two rest days before the Parkrun so would agree with Midriff_Crisis in suggesting that you try to run Monday Wednesday and Saturday if possible. Don’t beat yourself up if you need a week off occasionally, what you are doing is fantastic and will all be worth it when you eventually get to W9R3. AND YOU WILL😁😁😁

[eatsleeprepeat in reply to KatyKaycd]

Ahh thanks! You have all spurred me on to make that Monday morning early start for a run! 😀

[roseabi]

I agree with Midriff_Crisis too.

Also, if you are having a 30 minute walk and then doing the C25K session (or taking part in parkrun) it seems to me that you must be doing about 5k each time, albeit walking quite a lot of it. So you are kind of doing what you wish for (although I don't think a couch to 5k program that starts at 5k makes much sense! )

If you are regularly running 20 minutes as per W5R3, maybe you could try pushing that towards 25 minutes? That would move you onto the end of W6

Only if you feel well enough, of course. Massive respect to you for continuing 3 runs a week during cancer treatment! xx

[eatsleeprepeat in reply to roseabi]

Thanks - when I say I haven’t got past week 5 I mean W5R1! So not quite there yet, but am going to try the Monday Wednesday Saturday format next week and see how I fair.

My park run starts with a hill too (albeit a Norfolk hill 😂) which doesn’t help, so I might just let myself walk that bit and then start my c25k run when I’m at the top!! Im sure I’ll annoy the tail walkers but hey ho!!

Thanks so much for your advice 😁