It was slow. It was borderline ugly. But it was 5k!!

[Pippayoungart]

Well 6 k, if you include the warm up and warm down walks.

I have to admit to wanting to stop after practically every 5 minute prompt on the app, but at 35mins 4.2k seemed too tantilisingly close to finish! The last .3k was spent running in circles round the car park my phone clutched desperately aloft, willing the numbers to tick over...and the second they did, i collapsed in a heap on the bonnet of my car. (dutifully completed the 5 min warm down walk before driving away though!)

Anway, seems i need to do something about my pace and see if i can reduce that 43 minutes!

Any tips?

[Ripcurlrana71]

Well done!! Sounds like one of my runs willing the distance to click to 5k!! 😬😬😬

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks! I wasn't going to be defeated. Had to have a lie down when I got home!

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to Pippayoungart]

😬😬

[Dbbd Graduate]

Oh I’m sooo jealous- well done u!!!!

[Dbbd Graduate in reply to Dbbd]

Wat app u using to give u every km?

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to Dbbd]

Thanks! I've been using Runkeeper since graduating. You can set it to send you alerts for time or distance, or both. Be warned though - you can choose a voice to speak the alerts and I chose 'your conscience' expecting a soothing whispery sort of voice. Instead I got a booming American man shouting:

"YOU RUN LIKE A GAZELLE ACROSS THE PLAINS OF AFRICA!!!"

Nearly made me trip over...

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Amazing! Well done! I think 5k is a few weeks away for me! Will hopefully graduate tonight then 5k is my first target- it won't be in 30 mins!

[Dbbd Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Me neither!

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Thanks! I'd be interested in knowing how many people do graduate with 5K in 30 mins, and also what age bracket they fall into.

Good luck on your graduation!

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Think there was a survey that said 90% of graduates don't make the 5k. I'm in the 10% that can - I'm 43 but I was already working out 5 days a week so had a good base level of fitness.

I have the highest respect for people doing this from the "couch" - it's an amazing achievement to run continuously for 30 mins no matter how far you travel x

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

Well done you! One of the elite 10% -that’s quite an achievement! I am one of those ‘from the couch’ people. Really wish i’d done it when i was younger but there never seemed enough time - (read ‘too lazy!)

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Well you've done it now - it's never too late

[lexi6 Graduate]

Well done, I think thats a great time. 👍

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Thanks! My best so far....well.... my only time so far!

[pianoteacher Graduate]

Well done - 5k is a long way! Our Parkrun is along the seafront and when I drive down there I can never quite believe I actually manage to run that far.

As for speed, I think you will get a bit faster naturally the more you run the distance. I am very new to this (hadn't run at all until 9 weeks ago) but I am going to to train to run further to help lower my 5k time.

Is it a particular goal of yours to be faster? Just running the distance is incredibly good for your health without the need to push to hard x

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

I think it is about finding a new goal to aim for now that I have completed C25K. I feel I need a target to keep me motivated! Can't decide whether to aim for 10 K or whether to try and improve my time - stamina is easier than pace for me. So maybe for that very reason I should boot myself out of my comfort zone and try and improve my pace? I think I would consolidate a bit more before I do though! And as you say - maybe the speed will come naturally?...here's hoping!

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

I think it's a very good idea to have a goal. I originally came to this to train for the Army entrance run - 1.5 miles in less than 14 mins and I think training at the further 5k distance has really helped me. I'm there or there abouts for the shorter run now although I have actually done a proper practice run yet. I've read on here that training to run 10k will improve your 5k time so that's the route I'm choosing to go down.

Good Luck with whatever goal you choose x

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

That sounds impressive - 1.5 Miles in less than 14 mins - not sure if I could achieve that in km let alone miles! Are you applying for the army? Good luck if so!

Maybe I'll just aim for the 10k and hope that increased fitness levels will make my 5k time better...

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Thank you! I'm applying to go in the TA as a musician but you have to complete the fitness tests and basic training to do that. I'm awaiting an appeal because I've been rejected on medical grounds (blind as a bat 😂) but hoping for a medical waiver.

Aiming for 10k sounds like a good plan x

[Bridget007 Graduate]

I have done that ... gripping my phone willing it to change wondering if it’s gone wrong 🤣 I am slow too but I don’t really mind 🐌 my legs just don’t want to go any faster yet 😊

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Slow is quite comfortable at the moment so not sure if I want to leave that comfort zone...! I know what you mean though - my legs don't seem to have any speed settings other than snail...!

[telford_mike Graduate]

I'd be very happy with that - you should be proud! Great choice of music by the way 👍

[Pippayoungart Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks! Glad you like the music - what do you listen to? I need to add to my playlist!

[sallenson Graduate]

You, my love, are a bloody marvel!! Well done Pippa. Our hero!! xx