The holy 5k grail

[PlodLife]

When does everyone find they achieve the 5k distance? I'm on week 5 and haven't broken 4k yet. Not expecting to but I've set myself a target of park run in Cardiff for 1st June. Just curious

[Redrat]

Hi plodlife, if it helps I did this a few years back and was amazed at the progress I'd made after 6 weeks. It did not feel a struggle at all and I was fairly fat and very unfit! I stopped for other reasons but back on it again today. I forgot how it helps you get back in the fold. Of course there will be times of strain, but it's definitely worth it. Good luck for the 1st June. I'm sure you'll do if you persist.

[Geordiehousewife Graduate]

Don't worry , you'll get there when your body is ready. Good luck with the park run.

[Nater85 Graduate]

I hit it today for the first time- week 6 run 1. Except I did a bit longer on the run as went further than I thought. I’m imagining that around week 7/8 I’ll be doing it including warm ups

[Glitterjav Graduate]

Hi I’m on three weeks of graduation runs now and still only at 4.46km! Have an injury at the mo so haven’t been out for a couple of weeks 😞 (think I pushed myself too hard trying). Everyone is different but I think the important thing is to stick to the program and don’t push yourself too hard. You’ll get there eventually!

[Bunnyrunner Graduate]

If it helps I’m on week 8 run 3 and still haven’t done 5 km. To be honest I know the plan is couch to 5km, but it should be called couch to 30mins. For me it’s time on legs, and I never thought I’d be able to run as much as I have. I’m in my 50’s, relatively fit and not overweight. Running was never my thing, I just got bored. The plan has helped me so much and I couldn’t believe that I would get as far as I have. I’m finding these long runs tiring, but there are so many people who have achieved it.... it keeps me going. I’ll have plenty of time to reach the 5km and I know it’ll come. For me it’s just conquering the time. Good luck.

[PlodLife Graduate]

Thanks everyone! I'm a fairly slow runner. Strava tells me 8 mins /k average so I'll just plod on and get there when I get there !

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you look at this poll of graduates healthunlocked.com/couchto5.... you will see that only a small proportion manage a sub 30 minute 5k by graduation. It is an arbitrary target after all.