Couch to 4K for me

[Jogger_Mum]

I must me so unfit I can only manage 4K in 30 mins! Am I the only one? Feel very disheartened 🙁😓

[AliK0871 Graduate]

Absolutely not I graduated 4 weeks ago and can run 5K but still taking about 35-38mins. Don’t care though I CAN RUN 5K 🤪🤪🤪

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to AliK0871]

There’s hope for me! I just dread the hills they kill me and tbh they aren’t even massive hills lol. Thanks for the support 😬👍

[Tortoiseintrainers Graduate]

If it makes you feel better I have just completed third run post graduating and haven’t got further than 3.9 km but I still feel huge benefits from the programme. The main thing is to run for 30 minutes distance comes later. I’ve heard only 10% reach 5k in 9 weeks.

Not sure what percentage you and I are in.

You are doing well, especially as you are juggling running with Mum duties.

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to Tortoiseintrainers]

Ah thanks yes it is a nightmare trying to run in between taking kids here there and everywhere!

[David_G]

Hi, you’re not remotely unfit. You can run for 30 minutes and that’s brilliant! 😀👍 You’re by no means the only person who can’t quite manage 5K but that’s not important at all. It might come in time if you carry on but I wouldn’t worry about that. 🙂

Just be very pleased with your progress and your strength of character to be able to get through it! 🍾🥂

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thanks I’m worried cause I’ve got a 5k race in 2 weeks and I don’t think I’m quite there yet! Getting nervous lol

[David_G in reply to Jogger_Mum]

Don’t worry about it at all. 🙂It’ll take you as long as it takes. Just concentrate on what you’re doing and don’t worry about what anyone else is up to. I try to never to compare myself to other runners. We’re all different after all so you wouldn’t expect we can all do the same things in the same way 😀😀

Hope you have a good run 🏃‍♀️

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thanks I’ll try

[SandieF Graduate]

4K?! That’s brilliant! Well done! I’m on w9r2 and was chuffed to bits I did 3.82k. I ran for 30 minutes though 🎉. 5k will come, eventually, no rush. Enjoy your fantastic achievement.

As for your race, try not to think of it as a ‘race’ it’s just another run, a little bit further, but still just a run. Enjoy it, you’ll be great 👍👏

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to SandieF]

I may walk abit lol!!!!!

[QueenTea Graduate]

That’s exactly where I am - far better than I was 9 weeks ago. Could barely manage to run for 60 sec, now I can run for 30 minutes. We’re all amazing 😉

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

Yes I keep forgetting this how far we have all come and that’s an achievement in itself!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Most people don’t get to 5k! I graduated in April and a 5k is still 32 minutes for me!

I think only 10% of people get to 30 minute 5k by graduation. It’s not normal 😂

[Jogger_Mum Graduate]

That’s good to hear! My friend who is 10 years my senior is doing 5k in week 8! Just made me feel crap lol

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Unfit? You can run for 30 minutes and that’s brilliant! I graduated about a month ago and I still can’t do 5k in 30 minutes but I love plodding every other day it makes me feel alive 😃

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Oh my goodness Jogger_Mum you’re doing amazing!! 👌🏽👌🏽! I don’t even know what distance I run! I just run! Never wanted to check, don’t care! I’m running! That’s a little bit of a miracle, every time, in itself! We are off the couch and out there running! Well done to you!! 👏🏽👏🏽❤️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

That's so true. I suppose it's just the couch to 5k name makes you think you should be able to do it!

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

You’re doing it alright Saartjie! A Grad too!! 🎓Loving it! Hope to join you one day! ❤️

[Saartjie Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

You will soon enough! 😊

[Saartjie Graduate]

The most I've done in 30 mins was 4.17km. My graduation run I ran 4.05 and couldn't run anymore! A bit disappointing but considering how far we have come still amazing! 5k is my post grad goal now. Carry on...we can do it!

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to Saartjie]

Oh yes we can! I suppose I’m too hard on myself good luck with it 👍

[Hidden]

I'm always surprised when people think that they're miles away. The math says you'd do 5K in 37.5. Now I'd say that's not too shabby. I whole heartedly agree with everything above. I've accepted it's unlikely that I'll reach 5K in 30 any time soon. Just outside it 2 runs post-grad, but not improving by much each run. Having done some reading it looks like I'd have to put some long runs in, which isn't my immediate goal, so I've accepted my lot and just moving through the C25K+ podcasts.

I should also add here that I run a couple of GPS apps and they're hugely different. Fitbit being the least accurate (using known routes). So, while it's great to track please do remember that they might not be too accurate, but great for checking progress if you stay true to one app.

Good luck going forward, and chin up, you're doing just great!!!

[Jogger_Mum Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I’ll see if losing weight helps me as I’ve still got 3 or 4 stone to lose it’s probably that that’s holding me back! I am happy with 37.5 it’s still decent right!! Good luck with your journey 😬

[Hidden in reply to Jogger_Mum]

Very decent! Don't do yourself down. Well Done with your achievements and good luck for the next run out 😊

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

Very few people manage 5k in 30 minutes at graduation... Only 10% I think, which means 90% of us don't!! I graduated with a parkrun yesterday and kept running after my 30 minutes were up ... I did the 5k in 45 minutes so not exactly fast haha! 580th out of 612 runners 🤣.... Anyway, ,now I have something to aim for post-graduation.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

3.4k in 30 mins for me.