Am I ever going to reach 5k in 30 minutes?

[A_Dramatic_Henry]

I've just completed W8R1 and did my first 28 minutes. The thing is I'm still not anywhere near 5k. Tonight it was 3.8k so not even reaching the 4k mark. Perhaps I just have to face facts, I'm just a slow runner. Not going to give up though, will keep pushing until I reach that 5k!

[NJGam Graduate]

I think it takes some time to build up to that. I’m in my 3rd consolidation week after graduating and have only managed one 5k which was 36 minutes. I’ve just signed up to my local park run so that’ll give me something to aim for but I really wouldn’t worry too much about distance until after you’ve graduated. Good luck 👍

[Decker]

Keep pushing, you will get there eventually. Nothing wrong with being a slow runner either. It may stand you in good stead, should you choose to run longer distances later on. Also the longer you run, the more accustomed your body gets to the distance and you find yourself able to add a bit of speed. But usually the distance has to come first. Good luck - you've got this.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

What they said. 5k will come if you aim for it. The objective is three lots of 30 minute runs in a week. Most get nowhere near 5k in that graduation week.

[Saartjie Graduate]

Well I just did W8R2 and did 3.75km which is a PB for me! I just accepted early on that it's highly unlikely I will be running 5k by the end of next week but am not bothered as my goal was just to be able to run continuously...which apparently i can!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

I graduated at 4K, only 10% can do 5k so don’t worry about that . The important thing is running at your pace for 30 minutes. After graduation you can consolidate your 30 minute runs and your pace may increase over time.

[A_Dramatic_Henry]

Thank you all, I really appreciate your comments & will take what you have said on board 😊

[mayaena Graduate]

I'm planning to do (ahem) Bridge to 5K after I graduate because there's no way I'm going to be at 5K in two weeks' time (W6R2 just finished I have a particular route I've mapped out on Strava which will be my graduation run from my little post-programme - it's off-road because I have this fantasy of being a competent trail-runner one day. It solves the problem of what to do after graduating C25K anyway. Then I'll stay at 5K for as long as I need to. I'm already building playlists...

[leelee70]

Hi, as a newly graduated c25k plodder, I have noticed since doing my 5k distance it is gradually coming down, my first 5k took me 50 mins I’m now around 42mins (2 weeks later), which in its self in incouraging I may not get to 30 mins but I do plan to extend my distance at some point in the near future so I’m ill be happy to do it in 40 mins and then move on and build from there.......I think we’re all different and we know what’s best for ourselves deep down, so don’t be too hard on your self either as your much quicker than those still on the couch!! 😜