Pace?

[Loops67]

Just done W3R1..... 2.6km. Must be doing it all too slow? Knackered at this pace!

[racheles78]

The advice is not to worry about pace at this stage, it's more about being able to increase stamina and endurance. If you're able to keep running for the running intervals then you're doing great.

I'm just at the end of week 3 and I'm covering 1.8-1.9 miles which is pretty similar (and I'm knackered too!)

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to racheles78]

Thanks @racheles78. Good to know 😃

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

There is no too slow... there is only too fast. Your pace will build endurance and the right muscles that you need to become a distance runner... keep it like that, the best runners built endurance first then speed, you watch them from time to time on TV. Keep it like that and get through this plan to turn you into a runner. Great job so far.

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks. For the encouragement! That distance clicker on the treadmill is a demon! Maybe a post it over it ....

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Just to be clear, Couch to 5k is just a catchy title. The objective is to be able to run for 30 minutes. The pace doesn’t matter: therefore, the distance doesn’t matter.

If your ambition is to be able to run 5k, or further, don’t worry. You will get there: it just might take more than nine weeks, but that’s OK.

If you look at training plans for races etc, where distance and pace do begin to matter, you will often see statements like ‘it is assumed that you can already run continuously for thirty minutes’. This programme will take you to that starting point, after which all sorts of things become possible. Build the endurance first, and that means runs based on TIME not speed or distance. Once you’ve completed the programme the direction you take will be up to you and you will find yourself considering options which at the moment you think are impossible.

Good luck, and enjoy’

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Thanks so much ArthurJG. Good to know. You’re right of course - the fact that I’ve just run 3 minutes twice is amazing in itself. Thank you

[emct64 Graduate]

Hi loops.

I’m just about to start W6 and found W3 a toughie. Really just do what whoever you have instructing you (Laura in my case) and you’ll be fine. Don’t set artificial goals

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to emct64]

Thank you. That’s really encouaraging. Sarah’s my instructor - last night she told me to try not to jiggle about too much when I run and to pretend I’m watching someone on the other side of a hedge ... did you manage that ? Hoping a change in “technique” (think Phoebe from Friends) will help being less knackered !

[emct64 Graduate in reply to Loops67]

I’ve never got the hang of the hedge technique. I’m also struggling to breath as they suggest, so sticking with what my own lungs are doing for the time being. Am beginning to find recovery is a bit quicker though.

Be good to have a few more voices for coaches wouldn’t it? I think Putin would put an extra spring in my step

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to emct64]

Ha ha ha. That made me actually lol. Now thinking Putin other side of hedge....

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Loops67]

Pretend you're *being* watched by someone on the other side of a hedge - someone shouldn't be able to tell if you're walking or running if they can only see the top of your head. The point is that your feet should be pushing you forwards, not wasting energy by pushing up and "bouncing"

also lol at emct64 - but you don't *want* spring in your step, really!

[emct64 Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Haha. @icklegui. Ok , I’ll try and smooth things out- perhaps Barry White would help 😄

[Pickles1234]

If it’s any consolation, you’re faster than me 😂

[Loops67 Graduate in reply to Pickles1234]

How you doing now ? Mojo back ?