Struggle to 5k

[Yorki_Girl]

Graduated 3 to 4 weeks ago, struggling to get to 5K. Managing 4 to 4.5 3 times a week. Is it worth staring bridge to 10k to help get me there or should I complete 5 K first.

[AgingMetalHead Graduate]

I'm sure others will have different opinions but my advice right now would be to not worry about pace or distance. You're only a month past graduating. Just carry on getting out there 3 times a week and you'll find you'll naturally be able to cover more distance as time goes on. There's no rush. 5k is just a number.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Assuming the runs you are doing are comfortably finished, then there’s no reason to not start to look at running for longer. The magic plan over on Bridge has a timed version for people running 30 minutes comfortably, and a distance one for people running 5k comfortably. You could even start on timed, get past 5k and then start over on the distance one.

[Jojoarnie Graduate]

I graduated couple of weeks ago and am going out every other day. I've managed 5.2k in 31 minutes, decided to run for 35 minutes to see how far I could get, simply stopped after 4.5 k and walked home, run 4.4k walked a bit and then did another k...My aim is to maintain fitness, not torture myself with either time or distance. I think you just need to do whatever suits.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

In the guide to post C25k running healthunlocked.com/couchto5... we recommend that you consolidate for a few runs to become truly comfortable with the distance/duration you were managing at the end of C25k, before attempting to move onto longer runs..............if you are struggling with your runs then you have not yet reached that comfortable place.

Become comfortable with 30 minutes, then increase one run per week using the 10% rule as a guide.

This will get you to 5k.

[Scotdee Graduate]

I'm a very recent graduate as well and after reading all the advice and experience on here, I'm going to take whatever time I need to get really comfortable with my 30 min runs before pushing further. Right now, I'm enjoying them but certainly find them an effort and feel it in my legs after, so still really needing the rest days. On this forum I've learned that although graduating is a massive achievement, I'm a total rookie runner and my body needs time to get strong and fit for the future. I think taking time to consolidate properly BEFORE pushing to the next level feels as important as the 9 weeks I spent getting to graduating. I want to have running in my life long term so there's plenty time. Best of luck! And look at the consolidation club on this forum.

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

You’re so close I would say concentrate on the distance rather than timed runs. Distance is what will build you fitness, well that’s what Sarah used to say in the app anyway. I gave up times after my final run, I just map out my runs now by distance and challenge myself that way 😊