Couch to 5K

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Wow week 8 complete!

Can't quite believe it! Can't quite believe I only have a week left!

Today's run was at tea-time and it was a lovely evening. Usually I settle into my run around 8 minutes but today I felt good around the 5 minute mark. Had my usual hill at the beginning and another incline half way through which was hard but not too bad, I catch my breath at the end and always feel better for the rest of the run! The breeze at the end was so good!! It was a good run, even better than the last! I was energised and wanted to go around again so went home and got the dog and did so (walking).

My only thoughts were my pace. I'm going really slow and just covering over 3k, I know, I know...... it's not about speed but I feel really 'clumpy' when I run. I feel that if I did run faster I wouldn't be like this? I did try to push off more on my feet today rather than just plod along.

Although I'm not graduated yet I am thinking of how to improve once I do. 5k in 30 minutes, how do I get there? Work on my time - increase it to cover more ground, pace - speed up so I am quicker, or distance - cover more ground??

I'm so pleased to be covering the 3k. I'm so happy that I have ran for 8 weeks now and excited for my last week! 😃

23 Replies

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Well done you. 5k not as important as the 30mins. Pace will come with time. Don't push yourself too hard and risk injury

You're right concentrate on 30 minutes as that's what matters right now! Thanks

Great job. Pace will come via endurance and/or some intervals and speed work... don’t sweat it yet. 3 more runs!

True! Something to look forward to once I have my 3 runs complete!!!

Another great run! Seen a few posts this

evening of Week 8'ers tracking so I'm going to track mine tomorrow too to set myself some goals. W8R3 in the morning here I come.

Well done for completing week 8!!

Thanks and good luck on yours!

Only 1 week to go 😁. You are doing great.

The pace will come , as you do more and more running. I wouldn’t worry about for it now - just enjoy reaching the podium in a weeks time 👏👏

Thank you! That is reassuring. For now I will just enjoy my 3 runs 😃

Fab, no stopping you Marcia. Your so close👍🏻

Thanks!

One more week until the podium Marcia! How exciting is that? You’ve completely smashed the programme so far, and you’ll smash those 3 runs too. 💪 Champagne at the ready, medal being shined, podium place with your name on it ....... you’ve got this! 🏃‍♀️👏😀

And don’t even worry about how far you’re running yet. I graduated in August and I’m thrilled when I run 4k in under 30 minutes! Not all of us are gazelles. I’ll always have snails in my trainers, albeit slightly speedier snails than a few weeks ago. The more running your legs do, the quicker they’ll carry you! 😀

So enjoy your upcoming week, and we’ll look forward to your even smilier graduation post! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

It truly is exciting!!! Can’t believe I only have 3 runs! No champagne for me (breast feeding) maybe an Irn Bru instead! 😎🏅😆

That is really reassuring to say I’ll get quicker the more my legs will do. I thought I’d have to actively do something and that carrying on running just wouldn’t be enough. I think I’ll carry on running as normal after graduation before making any plans forward! Likewise a 4K in 30 minutes would be an amazing achievement to me - and well done you 👍

For now I’ll look forward to completing the programme, and with the biggest smile 😃

Wow! so close now Marcia! How exciting 😃 You're doing great!

I've been wondering about this myself, I've been surprised at the distance I am able to cover because I'm short, slightly overweight, I haven't done any exercise (apart form walking!) but one thing that I have done is I've been using a standing desk at work for about three years now because of previous back problems, I think I must have pretty strong legs, hips, core etc compared to people of a similar fitness level who sit down at work - this is the only thing that I can think of. So this just shows that muscle strength will build over time and so should your pace. All the best with week 9 Marcia your doing great - by the way how's the little one getting on in their new room now, all settled down a bit? x 👍

Thanks thunderSloth! I know I shouldn’t worry about pace etc just now but being so close I obviously wanted to know how close to the 5k I was!! It’s something I can work on later-which is good as I didn’t know what I was going to do when I finished!

Likewise-I am used to being on my feet and walking all day in my job. But with breastfeeding I was on the couch a lot and clocking up hardly any steps! I’m overweight and carry a lot in my legs yet I never get heavy legs when I run ☝️I guess 10 years in the job has helped that!!! And once the weight goes down I’m guessing my pace will get better too!

Baby has settled amazingly in his own room (well sisters room-they share). Toddler has randomly started waking and coming through!!! She never does this.... thought it was because he’s now in her room but she points to the cot in our room and asks where’s baby?!?! So the plot thickens... 🤞it’s just a phase. Thanks for asking and remembering!!

Absolutely, it'll be amazing what a difference a few more weeks will make after Graduation.

Oh glad to hear he's settled, it's a bit more manageable when you feel like you're getting SOME sleep 😩🤤Honestly that's always the way isn't it... one stops winging and the other starts! Aah well, they grow up so quickly don't they, and they're babies for no time at all! Enjoy your weekend Marcia x

Couldn’t have said it better myself! I already feel that now he’s in his own room he’s not a baby anymore!!! That and he’s standing!!

Looking forward to taking the dog with me on an after graduation run, he can teach me pace 😜

My babies aren’t babies anymore either 😢😁

I know... I think I’ve got to get a dog too!!!! They sound like the way forward with all this 😂👍

Apart from when everyone stops you to say how cute your dog is!!!!!

Yeah, that isn’t going to do the pace much good is it?!!! Hmmm 🤨 you must have an incredibly cute dog 🐶

I have! He's a 10 year old chihuahua but I still get asked on a daily basis how old my puppy is! He will feature in a future picture I'm sure 🐶 everyone loves him.... but all dogs are cute 😜

Oh wow! cool dog! 😎 yes we need to see a photo! Don’t get me wrong post run Marcia pics are fab keep em coming! but a chihuahua combo would be awesome 😆

Consider it done!