Yey

[Pam_E]

Just ran 5.5k at 7.7min/k - exhausted- target now is 20k by half marathon in March

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Blimey....you have done amazingly in such a short time..since you graduated!

[Pam_E in reply to Oldfloss]

I have been a bit naughty - I’ve only done one run of each since I finished week 4 - sorry but that’s just me - I always push myself but am reaping the benefits - I love it and feel fab!!!

Thanks to all you guys out there!! Time to move on now!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Pam_E]

Well...this is really not an idea we suggest anyone follows.. and especially since, by your posts on the Marathon and half marathon site you are heading towards a Marathon in the future?

Feeling great is one thing.. but hidden damage to muscles etc, is not an ideal choice for new runners.

Challenging oneself is a very personal thing, but as Millsie-J says... the forum does follow a very structured programme.. and it would be remiss of me not to flag up possible dangers in taking the path you have taken

[Pam_E in reply to Oldfloss]

I totally agree

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Oh you have stoped following the programme! This forum really does not recommend that.

I do hope you are not heading for the injury couch.

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Congratulations! Rest up now, OK?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

So you don't like training plans?

Neither do I, but I did enough reading before starting running to realise that it was very unwise, as a new runner, not to follow a gently progressive training plan, as otherwise injury was a virtual inevitability. Setting aside my arrogance, I accepted that the devisors of C25k actually knew more about running than I did, so followed the plan to the letter.

Over the past four years one of the commonest themes on this forum is doing too much too soon, sometimes with disastrous results healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Training plans are not random lists, they are structured as they are for very good scientific reasons, to maximise benefit with minimum injury risk. With a reasonable level of starting fitness, you might well get away with skipping your way through C25k.........moving up to half marathon is a different matter.

There is no way, as a mentor on this site, that I can do anything but point out that, in my opinion, you are behaving foolishly and arrogantly, unless of course you have read all about how a new runner's body takes many months to adapt and develop and that you understand all about increasing your distance using the 10% rule and that overuse injuries can sometimes cause permanent damage.

I wish you luck on your random running adventure and do sincerely hope that you don't get injured, but I would much rather you were sensible enough to follow or adapt a structured training plan, at least until you have been running for long enough to know what you are doing.

Take care.