Running speed or pace.

[sdu60]

I have read that you are not running until you reach 9 kph or 6 min 40 sec per kilometre. Below that speed you are just jogging! Looking at records of my runs (up to week 4) I am going at around 8 to 8.5 kph - jogging in fact. Is it more important to complete the distance specified or make sure you are really actually running? ie going at a 6 min 40 pace which equals 33 minutes for 5k.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

C25k is a duration based training plan as explained in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and at no time are you asked to cover any specific distance or run/jog at any specific pace other than one at which you can speak clear, ungasping sentences as travel.

Whether that is defined by someone as a jog or a run is debatable.

In my book, or should I say dictionary, running is the act of moving forward, with an action that involves both feet being simultaneously off the ground on every stride.........the actual speed is irrelevant, especially for C25k.

[John_W Graduate]

Honestly, just ignore these definitions - they're very subjective and can also feed into a lot of negativity around jogging/running generally.

Your pace is your pace.

Despite the fact that the name is Couch to 5K, it's actually a time-based program. So the objective is to run for 30 minutes continuously 3 times a week in Week 9. No distance is actually mentioned in any of the guides.

Besides, only about 10% of folks here actually reach 5k in Week9. See a popular poll here:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Hope that helps

John

[Roxdog Graduate]

Please don't worry or think about any of that - it's just a writer's opinion. Running/jogging are just words. You're not walking, that's the difference. It might be worth thinking about ditching the tracking app until you've graduated - the point at this stage is to do the programme slow and steady, at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Very few of us reach 5k at the end of the programme - that might come a bit later if you want it to.

Happy running and good luck with the rest of the programme.

[Fionamags Graduate]

Agree with the previous comments. Most of us on here started from zero running ability so its a massive achievement being able to run non stop for 30 minutes! I am so proud and delighted for having achieved this and the fact that I "only" manage to cover 3.5k in that time is immaterial. Although I have to say that MyFitness Pal is a bit annoying - when it imports my activity from Strava it calls it "jogging in place". Now THAT is harsh! 🤣🤣🤣🤣