Too slow

[Clafarr]

Week 7, and I’m running about 1km in 10 minutes... Am I going too slow? I’ll never get to 5K in 30 mins......

So I feel like I’m not doing it properly, but I couldn’t go any faster at the moment.

Any advice?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Just about the commonest question on this forum and our answer is always the same........no, there is no such thing as too slow.

You may not achieve 5k in 30 minutes ( the majority do not at graduation) but you are improving your body in so many beneficial ways. Running slowly actually works adaptations to your body more efficiently than running fast.

There is also evidence that slow runners, who cover short distances actually live longer than those who run hard and fast.

Let your mind benefit fully, as well as your body, by not worrying about your pace.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[vincent30 Graduate]

You are going infinitely faster than 0 km/h on the couch. Don't worry about pace at this stage. Hardly anyone reaches 5K in 30 minutes by the end of week 9. Just being able to run continuously for 25 minutes is already a huge achievement.

[MarkyD Graduate]

The objective of the program is to run for 30 minutes three times in a week.

For a small, fit, young minority this will be 5km, but not for most of us. I don’t recall anywhere on the podcast or app where it tells you to run fast. It is just a light jog comes to mind.

[Fishypieface Graduate]

We all think the same, am I doing it properly? Am I fast enough? Why aren't I running 5km in 30 mins? etc. You are doing a great job. It takes time for our lungs to develop, for our legs to strengthen - longer than 9 weeks, even though it's amazing that we can run 30 mins non stop by the end of it. It will all fall into place with time/continuing 3 times a week. 4 months post-graduation, I still can't run 5k in 30 mins, but I've let that go and stopped chasing it. But I can now run for 50 mins and it's got much easier and I've got faster...I've toned up, lost weight and I'm stronger. I just love it that I can run.... in my own, weird but wonderful way!

You've done so well so far, good luck finishing

[Hidden]

Too slow is not a thing on C25k. Too fast is, but not too slow. Once you graduate you can work on getting faster if you want. But for now just concentrate on doing the time.

[Clafarr]

Thank you all, you’ve really helped me.... I’ll stop worrying now, and I’ll just enjoy the progress. I can’t believe how far I’ve come- from 60 seconds!!!

[Lizzj]

If you see my post from earlier, my pace was 11.45 per km. You're flying compared with me ☺

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Listen to IannodaTruffe ...slow down... relax... enjoy