First 5k!

[strollguy]

Pushed my distance up to 5k for the first time this morning so in some ways that should be my true c25k graduation. I suppose I should now transfer to bridge to 10k although I haven’t go any firm goals at the moment. To some extent I am being driven by routes as I c an see a nice circular route of 7k which gets me to another park which would form a useful next target. How many others are strongly affected by the routes they run? I hate doubling back so always aim for a circular route which is my target run distance plus about 1km (for warm up/cool down). One advantage of being in an urban area is that there are lots of ways of extending routes slightly to fit in with a revised target so I spend nearly as much time planning routes as running them! 😃🏃🏽‍♂️

[ktsok Graduate]

Congratulations on your first 5k!

I followed a circular route today of about 7.5k (with my mums house at 5.35k) so that’s definitely going to become a regular. Like you, I’m not so keen on linear paths these days, although if you can put in a little loop at the far point somewhere before turning back rather than doing a 180 turn that seems to help... I’m definitely going to look out for some new routes around lakes/parks though... 🙂

[strollguy Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Thanks for your comments as always. In my early runs I did have a loop at the end which did avoid the U turns which I have always hated. However as I mentioned before it included my nemesis the level crossing (🏃🏽‍♂️🤬🚞) so as soon as I could go ‘circular’ and avoid it I did and since then I have not looked back 😂. Next week I am treating myself to a brand new 5k route so I am quite excited! 😁

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good time strollguy for your first 5K, 33.33. beats my first full 5k by about a minute 34.21 , but at that time I just wanted to get a sub 35 minute run.

As far as routes that I can choose from, there are several, which is a good thing regarding variety, one starts 3 minutes from my home, I ran a lot of the earlier weeks of C25K on that route,

I have measured out a 10K route with Mapmyrun/walk which begins just 8 minutes from the house. I walked that particular route. In the middle of it just after the 5K point there is 1K loop, so if I ran that I would finnish only 8 minutes from my home, I would have to run 3 times round that 1K loop to make up the full 10K.

Last year I did walk/run it in a time of 1 hour 28 minutes, that time was made up of 40 minutes for the first 5K and 48 minutes for the second part.

This year I may do a few practice runs on that course and see If I can run a proper 10K, however, once the milder spring weather starts I will rerun some of the C25K weeks with Laura as my coach for practice and exercise

[strollguy Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Sounds interesting. I’ve not yet mixed walking and running to cover distance (as opposed to time early in C25K). Good luck with your longer runs!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi stollguy! Congratulations on your first 5k...it feels good doesn't it.👍

You really did Graduate after your three week 9 runs though😉 its only 30 mins of running that's required, but of course I do understand😊...

Keep on consolidating your running as you get stronger and build those running legs up! You may well start planning some new goals soon and can join the Quests etc. on the Bridge site to help motivate you. Meantime, run for fun, short runs, 30 mins, 5k's mix things up and enjoy yourself.

Happy running! 😊 x

[Tartancat Graduate]

I love planning new routes too. I'm really lucky that I have loads of footpaths and bridleways near me that all link up with each other, so I spend a lot of time working them out and getting excited!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

I live in Cumbernauld Scotland, that is or was one of the late 1950's New Towns in Scotland, the roads and paths are all segregated, very few pavements in the traditional sense and no person walks along a road. The paths are everywhere I live 3 kilometers or about 2 miles from the town centre and can walk, cycle or run there free of any traffic, I have seen many runners run past my house on the path when I look out of the window.

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Sounds really good AlMorr. Those 1950's town planners got something right then!

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Any good Parkruns near you? Good fun and exactly 5km

[strollguy Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

Yes there is one a few miles away and I will definitely give it ago sometime for the experience. However I do rather like the freedom of running alone - when I want and where I want so I guess it isn’t a natural thing for me to do. I particularly like being able to open the front door and get going straight away rather than having to use the car to get somewhere. 🏡🏃🏽‍♂️🙂

[strollguy Graduate]

I know what you mean - I am planning to run a new 5K route next week and feel quite excited. I plan my routes with my OS app (I subscribe to OS maps for walking etc) and it is interesting to compare planned distances with those reported by Strava when I am runnning. I like to know where the 1k points are in advance so I am ready and waiting for the ‘voice’.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Interesting thoughts. I’ve got as far as W8 and suddenly realised I am running out of space on the route I use. It’s been good for keeping me off pavement and although it’s essentially out & back, it’s really different in look & feel in the two directions. But I must cover more ground now that it’s all running... the obvious extension has 1) a big muddy patch that is currently a moat, and 2) return via a steep hill. ☹️☹️ Location is rural/suburban. Do you plan with paper map? An app? Other?

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Ah. Just got to the end & found the reference to OS App. Might try that.

[strollguy Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

I mentioned I have a OS a subscription which covers 1:25k and 1:50k maps but for planning my routes I use the standard map which is free and very detailed, as is the App which includes the route planning feature.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to strollguy]

Thanks. 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations... and a very impressive time for the first 5k!

[strollguy Graduate]

Thanks! 🏃🏽‍♂️😊