Week 6 run 3......don't feel asthough I'm getting any faster

[Slowlygettingthere]

I've been doing C25K for a few months (with a 4 week break due to holidays etc) and usually run twice a week if i can. On looking at my pace, it doesn't seem to be getting any faster....i know I'm running for longer periods...25 mins tonight...but i can't help thinking i should be going faster?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

In general, but especially on this plan, when we run longer we shouldn’t run faster, if anything we should slow down. If you look at 5k race plans or plans for longer distances, you’ll see that there’s a “long run” and it’s to be run at the slowest pace... all runs on C25K are your long run. People who choose to run faster and longer at the same time pay for their sports physio’s exotic holidays!

You’re running 25 minutes... great job. 25 minutes cannot end sooner no matter how fast you run. The time to think about pace is some weeks/months after this plan... and only then if you want to.

Happy running

[Slowlygettingthere in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you ...good advice

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Slowlygettingthere]

Keep running comfortably... we should all aim to limit our local physio to a wet weekend in Blackpool!

[Slowlygettingthere in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Ok so stupid question...I'm a novice! 😊.... at my current pace, i can't see how I'll be running near to 5k in distance at the end of the app....is this normal?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Slowlygettingthere]

Very. Something like 90% of graduates here run less than 5k at the end of the plan. That’s not an issue... 30 minutes of cardio changes your life, that’s why the NHS are so keen to back this... 5k doesn’t in itself. This is about gaining fitness and health as we become runners. I can now go run 5k sub 30... but I didn’t on plan... and I still enjoy running it in around 36 minutes much more. If I didn’t enjoy my running, I wouldn’t still be doing it.

As my ultramarathon running buddy says “5k is 5k”. You’ll run the distance at some point... probably in more than 30 the first time. Then you’ll have set your PB... you can be proud of it whatever the time, and you can enjoy watching that time come down as you progress further down your running journey.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Love the bit you say about paying for their sports physio's exotic holidays, I understand that some physio's charge their clients as much as £50 an hour, does seem a very expensive way to get better if you get injured.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Yeah... they’re good, and when you need them they’re worth every penny... but we do need to run smart to minimise the costs!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

No you shouldn't be going faster . If you are able to complete each run that's the main thing. Getting faster is something I think just happens naturally after graduation without you even noticing. Well done you 😊😊

[Slowlygettingthere in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

We go into W7 together and will get to the finish line uninjured because we purposely run slowly! Our next goal after graduation can be doing 5k in 30 but for now we can chill out and enjoy our runs🤣🏃‍♀️🌸🌺🏁

[Slowlygettingthere in reply to Annieapple]

Very true.. enjoy week 7!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Slowlygettingthere]

Thanks! We will do it together!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate]

I went through the same battle. I got to the point where I was calculating my exact speed and getting very disheartened.

C25K is about endurance. Speed will come. Don't worry about it as yet. As others have said, if at all you should be running slower

[Steppingforward]

I am so slow walker's go past me! But I don't care as 25 mins running is 25 mins running in anyone's book. I will speed up as I get used to it I'm sure.

[MelGC25k Graduate]

I joint a running group, currently on week 5, and always feel a little disheartened that I'm at the back of my group but I'm still running and speed will come eventually (i hope).

[Puppy-love Graduate]

I graduated a couple of weeks ago without reaching 5km. My pace hardly changed during the last three weeks of the plan. But, without any increased effort, I’ve got faster with almost every consolation run. We build stamina with every run and that can be converted to faster speed or longer distance. I still haven’t run for 5km but I’m relaxed about it. It’ll come eventually. Don’t worry about your pace. Just think of how much you’ve achieved to get this far.