Will I make it???

[Flipper0609]

Hi guys...completed run 2 of week 7 this evening and have to admit to feeling a bit disheartened. I've now run 25 minutes three times but it doesn't feel like it's getting any easier. I've been checking my distance covered in that time and it varies between 4.1k and 4.4k depending I think on the weather and time of day.

I'm wondering if this is an acceptable distance in 25 minutes? Will I achieve 5k in 30 minutes? The end is so close now but I still feel quite inadequate...

Sorry...feeling a bit achey and down...off to soak in the bath!

[Hidden]

Enjoy your bath. Hope you’ve got some Epsom salts. Don’t worry too much. Week 7 can be tough. You’re doing great. Why not just enjoy the running and not be too competitive with yourself. You’ve all the time in the world to run 30 minutes and then run 5k and then do the two at the same time 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down.... this is a great running journey.. relax and enjoy...

If it is a struggle.. you are running too fast.. all you have to do is make the 30 minute runs... comfortably and enjoyably

Just relax next time you go out... let those newly forming running legs find a comfy and happy pace and just carry you Land lightly, breathe gently... forget distance and just run

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Your pace is just about on target to achieve 5k in 30 minutes, but that is not the point of the programme and something like 90% of graduates do not hit that target.

C25k is about building your stamina, not speed, that comes later.

[wyersmith Graduate]

Hiya. Don’t be sad. Look at how far you’ve come! It may not be getting any easier running for 25 mins but were you not one of us struggling with the 1 minute runs a few weeks ago? If you’re doing 4-4.5k in 35 mins at this stage you’re doing really well. I reckon you’ve got every chance of being one of the few who can hit 5k in 30 mins by the end of the plan, or be very close. But so what if you don’t? Was this really all about hitting an arbitrary distance in an arbitrary time? Or was it about becoming a fitter, happier, more energetic person who very well may run 5k in 30 or 10k or a half or full marathon some day? Chin up! Play the long game. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

[Flipper0609 Graduate in reply to wyersmith]

Thank you...you’re right I wasn’t doing this for a target I was doing it because I’d always told myself I couldn’t run! I think I lost sight of it along the way as I realised I could run! Still aching but in a more positive way!

[wyersmith Graduate in reply to Flipper0609]

Aching is the new not aching... stay positive. You are doing really well. It’s easy to forget how much progress you’ve made in a short time.

P.s. this is all very easy for me to say, I don’t start w7 until tomorrow. I might have binned my new trainers by the weekend...😳

[_SimonT_ Graduate in reply to wyersmith]

Oh no! What’s wrong with your new trainers?

[wyersmith Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Ohhh the trainers are fine! It’s the middle aged lumbering mess who’s wearing them that’s the problem. 🙂 I used to like the walking intervals but now I’m heading into w7 they’re just a fond memory...

[sallenson Graduate in reply to wyersmith]

If you slow down and tell your body you're actually walking (but in a new way it doesn't quite understand) you could fool it.. C'mon tiger. You'll crack this.

And you have to run more in order to bring down the cost per run of your snazzy new trainers. Otherwise you'll head for economic disaster or Brexit or one of those kind of things

[whibbles Graduate]

It all sounds pretty awesome to me and I think the priority is 30 minutes three times a week rather than the 5k but if my maths is right, a time of 25 minutes for 4.4k should let you make 5k in under 30 minutes. Many of us never make this target so instead of being disheartened, you should congratulate yourself - keep on running and well done.

[sallenson Graduate]

You might think that 4.5K is disappointing if you have 5K in your head. But just think for a few minutes about the real distance you've come in 7 weeks. 7 weeks ago you probably struggled to run for a minute. 7 weeks ago you were a different person. Now you're stronger and fitter and can run for distances that still make me shake my head and think "Heck".

If you're motivated enough to get this far, getting to 5K (whether in the 9 weeks or a few more) is going to be a walk in the park. So celebrate what you've done

[Rignold]

"Acceptable" to who, exactly? No one is judging your distance.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Wow that’s fast!

[SlowLoris]

Your doing great.

[Christianne57 Graduate]

On week 5 and the ability to run 4k and/or for 25 minutes seems awesome from my perspective 😊

I'll be absolutely delighted if I crack my first 8 minute run tonight.

Keep running (and posting please!) As you'll never know how much your journey, even with its trials and tribulations, acts as an inspiration to us that are treading in your footsteps!

Good luck and best wishes x

[Flipper0609 Graduate in reply to Christianne57]

I remember making the mistake of looking at run three of week 5 and wondering if I could make it! My top tip is picking a landmark (such as a telegraph pole or a bush) and saying 'I'll get to the next... and see how I feel. Before you know where you are you've run 20 minutes and feel really pleased (and knackered) with yourself! Good luck and thanks for your reply. xx