5K‘s? An impossible dream?: Managed W6, Run... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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5K‘s? An impossible dream?

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate
24 Replies

Managed W6, Run (?) 3 with the aid of my lovely new (and mega expensive) running shoes. Something rather improbably called Brooks Glycerin 18. Isn’t that some sort of cough medicine? Such is the gullibility of the novice runner in a smart sports shop. Nice assistant though. Had me on video gait analysis at least 6 times.

Yet in another sense appropriate because apparently they are a ˋneutral´ shoe. Which is exactly how I felt throughout. ie, out of gear . And the heat! Was I ever knackered at the end. However, am pleased to be getting through the programme more or less on cue. Only one week repeated so far. Go slow is my mantra.

So to my post title. At the point of Laura’s goodbye congratulations on surviving I have managed about 5 and a bit times round the block including the warm-up and down 5 minute walks (yes, I know, it’s a staggeringly unimaginative choice of route). But then I measured the distance and calculated I would have to go round a little over 8 times to achieve 5K’s. Duh!

Felt a bit deflated that night. Not saying I can’t do 5K’s some day. It’s just that I reckon it will take me about an hour!

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Maximodad profile image
Maximodad
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24 Replies

It takes me an hour to do 5k? Who cares? I will be running for 5 kilometres! Boosh! 💜

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply to

Way to go slowpoke. All I want to do ( someday) is to do the local park run - at whatever pace. As long as the gates are not closed before I finish!

in reply toMaximodad

Run for 45 mins that's my goal I think x it’s mad to think at the start of this very programme I wanted to run for 30, and I’m running for 25 now! Utter madness how cool this programme and our bodies are isn’t it? Would be a bit nice to see the pace increase though x I seem to be stuck on taking 26 minutes to run 2.5 k x would be nice but not important to me in the long run! X

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Only a small proportion of graduates from this forum who responded to a poll, managed 5k in 30 minutes by graduation healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Graduation requirements are that you complete three thirty minute runs, regardless of distance.

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

Good to know. I certainly feel capable of this even at my age provided I stay with my very gentle jog.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Brooks Glycerin 18, great shoes, could be a cough medicine as well, I have a pair of Brooks Glycerin? I think the number is 11, excellent shoes, l have had them for 13 months, run many 5Ks, 10/10Ks, a 11,12 and 13K, also 10 miles and I have no complaints whatsoever, I hope you enjoy your running journey with them.

5K run for you is not a impossible dream, you are now OFFICIALLY a RUNNER by completing run 3 of week 6, congratulations, onwards and upwards to week 7 which are all 3/25 minute runs which you will enjoy running in those lovely comfortable Brooks Glycerin 18 shoes. 😊 🏃🏾

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply toAlMorr

Thanks Almorr. I feel better about it already — and the shoes. Onwards and onwards - tippy tappy .......etc

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply toMaximodad

👍 🏃🏾

WytchHazel74 profile image
WytchHazel74

I think very few of us manage 5K in 30 minutes by graduation, but my aim is ultimately to be able to do 5K regardless of how long it takes. I’m currently on week 8 which has you running for 28 minutes and I’m doing a smidge over 2 miles, so my pace is approximately 12-13 minutes per mile. With this in mind I expect to eventually do 5K in about 40-45 minutes, which sounds impossible but I’ll get there, even with my hobbit-like stature and physique 😄

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate

Thanks Hazel (?). Yet more encouraging comments. I calculate I’m a tad slower than you - your maths/ pace mean you would get around my block about 4 times compared to my 3 and a bit in the actual running phase. But I’m putting that down to being in the ultra senior citizen bracket - and still at least a stone overweight. I keep thinking ˋrunning´ for 40 to 50 minutes just to achieve 5 K is kind of crazy anyway. Might just stick with gentle 3 x 30 minute jogs for the foreseeable future assuming I get to graduate soon. And get a more interesting route! .......but I would really like to do that park run some day...............

WytchHazel74 profile image
WytchHazel74 in reply toMaximodad

I’m not going to lie, my biggest concern with running for 45 minutes is not just that my joints may suffer but that I’ll simply get bored, hehehe. That’s a long time to think about running! However I’m determined to complete a park run one day, and I’ve got a friend who runs half marathons who has said she’ll run it with me for moral support. We’ll get there eventually 😊

Silverfox1943 profile image
Silverfox1943Graduate

Hi Maximodad, glad you got some proper shoes, they should help your running.

I told you part of my story and gave a little advice. At our age we have to be careful but something to aim for.

I started C25k late Sep 2019 and completed the 9 weeks. A month ago did 60mins then 2 wks later 10k.

Just today have started a new project ie. To run every day for 14 days a marathon distance starting with just a week of 2ks.

Sounds easy but I know the importance of rest days.Just have to see how it goes. Shortly after that getting my cataracts done in both eyes.😎

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply toSilverfox1943

You’re amazing! Every day ? No way! Yes, the shoes are great. Bought entirely at your prompting. Gulped a bit at the price but thought SF43 says they’re a must. Got to justify the expenditure now. I too am down for cataract surgery later this month so I guess that will interrupt the programme.

Silverfox1943 profile image
Silverfox1943Graduate in reply toMaximodad

Dont worry about the price, you cant take it with you when the end comes.😂😂

Just enjoy the present.

Try and vary your routes.

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate

Be patient Maximodad, look at what your doing today and think back to week 1 and what you would have said to someone expecting you to do that. 5k’s not an impossible dream, it’s not easy but you’ll achieve it. Maybe a new route would benefit you. Go out for a walk and find one you think you’d like. 5k in an hour would still be a great achievement and your time would improve the more times you did it....never say never 👍🏃‍♂️

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

I did W6R3 today. I did my slowest pace deliberately. This isn't about speed, it's about endurance. It's getting yourself moving for half an hour without keeling over. Pace can develop later graduately (sic).

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

Don't worry, you are doing a great job. Forget about 5k at the moment, hardly anyone reaches 5k in 30 minutes at the end of the programme. Just try and relax and run at your comfortable pace. I doubt I'll ever run a 5k in 30 mins, despite having finished the programme ages ago.

Clh232 profile image
Clh232Graduate

It really is possible! I'm no runner (big bottom and thunder thighs) but a few weeks after graduation I somehow managed 5k (actually running without stopping or dialling 999) in 42 mins and was on top of the world. Then I did it it again just to prove it wasn't a fluke (then it got really hot and I've chosen rosê instead of running until it cools down - I may not be a great role model). But keep at it and if it can happen to me who struggled to run for 1 min to start with, then I promise anyone can do it!

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply toClh232

That’s fantastic! Hope for me then. I’ll keep you posted.

chunkypie profile image
chunkypieGraduate

If it's any help my last run W8R3 was 3.2km in 28 minutes. So I wouldn't worry about distance that will come In time.

Maximodad profile image
MaximodadGraduate in reply tochunkypie

Hi Chunkypie

Heh, that’s a pretty good time in my book. Well done! I’ll be happy just to get to that magic 30 minutes nonstop in due course having taken heed of all you wonderful people.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply tochunkypie

That tells me I'm probably still too fast. I did 3.7km in 25 mins today.

chunkypie profile image
chunkypieGraduate in reply tonowster

I do most of my runs in forest and it's up and down, about 60m in elevation. If you can do the distance at your speed I'd carry on. My running partner is slower than me so I go at their pace. I know on my own I could prob knock maybe 30secs to 60 secs off my 1km time but would prob sleep for a week after 😂

PlymBorn profile image
PlymBorn

Cough medicine .... that creased me up ! 😂😂😂😂Never heard of the shoes but excellent joke 👍

Now to your post ... forget distance ... done will done won’t ... some are taller so have longer legs so cover more distance... done are shorter so cover less. Some are younger some are older ... some are fit some are less fit ... in other words every one is different in here so will hit different distances, different pace and different speeds ... so don’t worry about 5k ... the magic number is 30 ... 30 mins ... and you are so on track for that ... and if you want a pick me up, remember W1R1... the challenge of running a minute ... look where you are now !!

Well done 👏👏 ... and keep it up ... you will graduate 🎓

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