Running pace: Hi all, I'm jogging at level 7 on... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,412 members158,563 posts

Running pace

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate
13 Replies

Hi all, I'm jogging at level 7 on the treadmill with an incline of 1 ( after reading the incline tip on here)

I increase the pace to 8.5 to 9 for the last 60 secs of each run, somehow I feel if I'll hit the 5k in 30 mins by end of programme? What's people's progress been like? Should I expect it or just aim for as far as poss?

Written by
Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_lift
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
13 Replies
Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate

Ps, I'm starting wk 6 on tuesday, and get to 3k by the time I'm warmed down

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Running for 30 mins straight at a comfortable pace is more important than reaching 5k. If you can, try not to worry about it, if it happens it happens, if not there's plenty of time to reach it later 👍🏻

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Ah I see, thank you for that, I'm motivated by it though, now that I'm 5 weeks in and have got a measure of the challenge, I would like to get as close as poss but without jeopardising my runs

LeeU profile image
LeeUGraduate

Ok, first thing to do is forget about the 5k thing for now, only about 10% of graduates hit 5k in week 9.

You run at your pace, aim to complete the runs, don't worry about the distance, it's all about time.

At the end of week 9 I was probably hitting 4-4.2k but I was running for 30 minutes 3 times per week. I still run 3 times a week, sometimes shorter but faster runs, other times I'm on the treadmill for an hour, I even run slow runs with my wife outside where we cover around 2.5k in 25 minutes.

Seriously, don't get hung up on the distance, you will get to 5k but it may take longer than the 9 weeks and slightly longer than 30 minutes, I think my first 5k took me around 47 minutes.

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate in reply to LeeU

Thank you for that, I'll try and switch my focus, can't believe what I've achieved so far so it's reassuring to know about the 10% , won't feel like a failure at the end of the programme!

LeeU profile image
LeeUGraduate in reply to Love_to_lift

Oh believe me, anyone who even starts the program isn't a failure even if they don't complete it, the only failures are the ones that don't try. Wow, that's deep for me on a Sunday morning, must be this running lark.

Just enjoy the runs, the aim she be to complete each run even if it is at a slow pace, which is actually better for building stamina and fitness anyway.

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate in reply to LeeU

Ok kokey, thank you oh wise one hahaa

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Love_to_lift

Nobody who does this plan is ever a failure it's those who dont get off the couch in the first place who are missing all the fun

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate

Only 10% of people on the plan reach 5k in 30 mins. Dont push yourself fir speed or distance at this stage you have the rest of your running career to go for speed and distance. Whatever you do, you'll find everything comes together in weeks 8 and 9 without risking injury. Dont rush, just get the runs in.

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs

I've found holding myself back and not rushing one of the hardest things about this programme, I guess was probably because I had the distance in the back of my mind,

I've compromised by increasing my pace for the last 60 secs of each run but I'll dial it back if I need to make sure I get through all runs

Thank you!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate

You know your own body and how you can cope, I was exactly the same through the plan and only now after 3 weeks consolidation am I slowing down so I can pace myself to get to 10k. Listen to your body, drink water, stretch but mist of al enjoy😀

Love_to_lift profile image
Love_to_liftGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs

10k, wow! I sure will take on board what everyone's said today, I'm really grateful, can't wait to continue, get through and do more!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Love_to_lift

During c25k I thought no way 10k then like everything else with these plans an support on the forum you realise if you get in the right mind set and don't rush things you can achieve anything. Happy running

You may also like...

Pace for running and walking

what that means. the past few runs I've actually added on more run at the end during the cool down...

Running pace

struggled this morning to complete another consolidation run as it was SO humid, which I just don't...

running at pace or not

hip think ive been told not to run around at pace and run some slower runs had a bash at it again...

Best running Music to increase pace?

Having graduated this week went for first run without Laura. My pace has always been slow so tried...

W7r2 - Faster pace - Further run!

of 1/2 way - otherwise I end up too far away to get back by the end of my run. Anyway - passed my...