W4R2 then 5K, what now?

[Serenity0365]

About the same time as starting C25K I booked myself on a 5K run in Milton Keynes for today. I've been following C25K and ran week 4 run 2 on Thursday just gone. I was apprehensive about whether I would be able to run the whole 5K today but I did it without stopping, really pleased. I would like to complete C25K and my thinking is to improve my times during the running sections. Anyone got any advice or guidance? Thanks, Angus

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing the Milton Keynes Rocket 5K, I hope you enjoyed your run today, 11,170 is a high number, must have been thousands running it.

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Hi AlMorr, thank you and yes there were a lot of people. According to the app that I was using where we get sent our finishing time, I could see that there were just over 2000 runners. The event was organised really well and most of the run was on dual carriageways and most of it slightly downhill!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Congrats on your event today! I'd just keep following the plan and see how it feels. You can try increasing the pace on the running segments but being a beginner programme for beginning runners, I'd be careful to not overdo it. That could lead to injury and sideline you for a bit. That being said though, if you are finding the runs easy, then up the pace a bit. I used the programme as a reintroduction to running after a bit of a hiatus. By keeping it easy and enjoyable, I got right hooked on running. I enjoy many of my runs at an easy pace and recently ran a HM. Compare to my hubby who claims to not enjoy running much (although he is a "natural" runner) because he feels he needs to run every run like a race. He's been running a bit with me, at my pace (ie slower than normal for him) and I'm hoping to get him hooked 😂. Sneaky Mrs but innocent intentions 😇🏃‍♀️🏃🏽😁

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks for your wise words. I will continue with the program as I like to see things things through to the end and I am a newbie at this. If I feel comfortable I'll increase the pace. I spoke to a chap after the 5K who is running the MK marathon tomorrow and he encouraged me to start doing ParkRuns which I may consider doing sooner rather than later. The 5K event was such a great atmosphere, highly recommended, Angus

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations.

Please stick with the plan.

We are all capable of doing way more than our bodies are conditioned to do, but only with massively increased risk of injury.

Carry on the gentle conditioning of C25K and your injury risk will be much reduced by the time you do your next 5k.

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you IannodaTruffe, I will head your wise words, they make sense, I didn't think about increased injury risk. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey