Advice pls: Hi Thank you for all your posts that... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,665 members158,713 posts

Advice pls

Fountain profile image
21 Replies

Hi

Thank you for all your posts that have kept me going

I started my C25K journey few weeks ago and I’m now on W4R2

Since starting I’ve done all my runs at the same park-running round a flat field-it’s 5 mins away from my house so perfect warm up/cool down walk distance.

My question is should I vary where I run to introduce different terrains/hills etc to be more challenging?or just concentrate on doing the runs?

What’s worked for those who are C25K veterans?

Written by
Fountain profile image
Fountain
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
21 Replies

I’d say just stick to where you know for now. You are concentrating on completing c25k, things like hills can come later. You’ll find yourself wondering if you can get through the increased length of the runs without coming face to face with new obstacles on a new route like road crossings, uneven pavements, hills... keep it simple, your flat field sounds the perfect place to do c25k, unless you find yourself getting bored and not enjoying going out.

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to YoureDoingGreatPet

Thank you!

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Hills are a difficult subject for some.

It really depends on what you want. If you are happy running on the flat, it is much easier (than going uphill, anyway).

But if you want to go running “anywhere” you are going to end up faced with hills. But that doesn’t mean you need to run hills now.

I’d be inclined to stick with what you know and build on your progress. Then, when you graduate, add some hillyness into the mix.

Others would disagree. They would say get variety in your runs, try the hills, you might like them.

My running mantra is Low and Slow. I don’t like hills!

Enjoy your next run.

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to Jay66UK

Great advice thank you!

MelsieJay profile image
MelsieJayGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

Low and slow. Yep I like that! I walk up enough hills when we are up in the lakes once a month so I feel I’ve done my quota and try to find flat places to run. (apologies for any typos the bloody dog chewed my glasses up last week and can’t see a thing!)

Goforitmama profile image
GoforitmamaGraduate

If you want a change maybe aim for 'undulating' rather than hilly. Undulating is a nice introduction to hills.

There is no hurry to master big hills. Hope this helps.

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to Goforitmama

Thank you!

LittleMaz profile image
LittleMazGraduate

I would agree, stuck with the flat till you ameither graduate. Hills may put you back and make you feel less confident. Sadly where I live I have no choice for the first half to face quite a substantial hill. I'm now on wk 8 run 2 and the hills are frustrating me. For my R2 today, I'm going to drive to the nearby locks and run around the reservoir. It's 1.1k around, so that will also assist in how far I'm actually running.

Good luck and keep going :-)

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to LittleMaz

Thank you!

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

I would stick with what is working for now, there's no need to change. However, there's a whole world out there just waiting to be explored without any need to be a graduate. As you get to the longer runs (or if you hit a sticky patch with gremlins) a change of scene can work wonders. Whatever keeps you running is what is right.

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to AnnieW55

Great advice-thank you!

Berksrover profile image
BerksroverGraduate

Another advantage of sticking with what you know best is that it is really easy to measure how much you are improving, I don't know how big your field is, but you must be running much further round it now than when you started, all these little milestones help build confidence, I still stay away from hills, as Goforitmama says, if you do want a change find somewhere with gentle slipes, don't gi chsrging up Ben Nevis or Snowdon!

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to Berksrover

Thank you!Ill try not too!😂

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

I ran most of my C25K workouts on the same route, although altered it in W6 to avoid finishing on a steep uphill climb. However, in the middle of the programme, either W5 or 6, I was away at WOMAD festival and thoroughly enjoyed my dawn runs around the perimeter of the site.

Avoiding steep hills is probably advisable at this stage, but as with everything in life, you will never know until you try.

Fountain profile image
Fountain in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thank you

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Yes definitely. More so it’s less boring than anything! Don’t worry about different terrains though.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

I’m with everyone else on this one. Achieving the 30 minutes of continuous running is the main aim at this stage. Some of the runners have no choice because of where they live. I alternated between the treadmill or outside on the flat , mainly because of weather conditions in March /April.

I confess I will probably avoid hills at all costs 😬 but I add variety by going to a park or a different route occasionally.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to Dexy5

Variety is the spice of life! 😂

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Just run... where you feel happy.

Hills are great...many of us have no choice but to run up and down them.... they are useful in our running...but at this stage, just concentrate on completing the plan and having fun:)

Lydia-jg profile image
Lydia-jgGraduate

I did 95% of programme on a treadmill just was easier to get through the distances and keep going without technical issues with my phone headphones water etc 😅

Runningfit67 profile image
Runningfit67

I will be doing W4R2 on Monday. I’m using my local athletes running track. W3R3 I decided to go to the local park has it was red hot and I knew the park offered a lot more shade. What a big mistake uneven paths, hills and steps I had to negotiate at one point,I thought about giving up.So back to the running track for me, for now. I might get overtaken by 80 year old marathon runners and kids that run like spring lambs but I don’t care. All I care about is being able to run for 30 minuets. The hills can wait.

You may also like...

Tough Run ! Advice pls 😀

quite cold before I even started the run. Thankfully I completed all the run but I was slower and...

Wk4 run1✅ - advice pls

completed the runs at a slow and steady pace. However, after my second three minute run I started...

Running after 5 days off.. advice pls

to be a run day (last run was Sat). Anyway, I’ve not felt up to it this week so haven’t run. I’m...

Advice

did the c25k. Then had a big bipolar episode. Feeling much better now and can't wait to run again as

Consolidation help pls. Am too slow for stepping stones.

to me how to do it. The warm up 7 mins -is it a run not a walk ...or is it? There is no set...