Does Running 5K Ever Feel Effortless?

[Luvlollyboo]

If so, I’m looking forward to the day!!

Does it suddenly ‘click’?

[Ant50 Graduate]

Not sure it will ever feel effortless, but the click for me was when I realised mentally that I could run! I finished C25K several months ago and with a regular 3 consolidation runs a week, 5k is now normal, not saying it is easy, but at least now running for 30mins/5k feels “normal”, which I still can’t believe when I hadn’t even started the course this time last year. So effortless, no, but click and normal yes ! Good luck whichever week you are on!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Running never feels effortless

[Luvlollyboo in reply to Tasha99]

Boo! Shame!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Yes - it really can, but it takes time and also learning to find the right pace.

[Rainn1 Graduate]

For me once I’d completed week 5 run 3 it was like I’d clicked that I could do it. It’s never felt easy per se and I’ve had two really bad runs since then but that was the ‘moment’ for me that it clicked.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I had one not too long after graduation where I was listening to a Nike & Headspace guided run and completely zoned out, didn’t remember the second half at all and only knew I’d done it when I checked my stats. That one was exceptionally effortless... others have felt like I could just start again after a few minutes. Yes, it can be easy... and tends to come when you’re really relaxed, running well within yourself and well rested, for me those stars never aligned during C25K.

[Luvlollyboo]

Great to hear all your perspectives. No hard or fast rule, it seems. Will just keep the meditation apps plugged in

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Yeah I always say if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Doing it for the right reasons will help mentally I think. But there are many ways to keep fit if you find you don’t enjoy it 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I think anybody who tells you it is effortless is being slightly disingenuous..........is walking ever effortless?

Certainly you can get to the point when you can knock out a 5k without being exhausted for the rest of the day and by the time you are running 10, 15, 20ks then a 5k is not a challenge.

However any run can be as tough or as easy as you want to make it........go fast and it is tough, even for an elite athlete........slow down and it is so much easier.