W9R2 Feeling down on myself

[Sooperpook]

Hi all,

I've just completed W9R2 and I'm not sure I'm running fast enough. I'm nowhere near 5k, and I feel so slow. Before this, I'd not run since PE 30 years ago, so I've got nothing to measure how well I'm doing. I'm a strength person who hates cardio, but I found this run comfortable. Instead of being desperate for that last 5min announcement I was surprised at how quickly it went past.

I don't want to push myself too hard and stop, but I don't want to feel like I'm a failure after a run. I'd really appreciate some advice - has anyone else dealt with this?

[Plodder0771 Graduate]

Most of us are dealing with the fact that its really tough to do 5k in 30 minutes, and I think most people don't manage that. Im running at something like week15 and I just got my 5k time down to 42 minutes. So Im finding this really good to just keep improving little by little. First I was extending run to get to 5k and now trying to reduce the time it takes. My philosophy is that it gives you something to aim for when you graduate. Im sure many others will respond similarly that keeping going through the programme to wk9 and 30 minutes is the key thing, and then keeping it going after wk 9. Best of luck, don't be hard on yourself, what you are doing is great.

[Sooperpook Graduate in reply to Plodder0771]

Thank you, getting to week 15 is awesome, you've inspired me to stop being silly and be realistic.

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

How fast do you want to run? The object is to run/jog for 30 minutes non stop after 9 weeks irrespective of distance....forget the 5k. That may or may not come later.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Running 5k is not a requirement for Graduation and just around 10% of people will achieve that .

Graduation is about running the 3x30 minute runs of week 9 .

Distance is irelevant.

I think my last week 9 run was 3.9k

[Roxdog Graduate]

It sounds as though you are running strongly and enjoying it and it doesn't matter at all about distance. Very few cto5k runners manage 5k in 30 minutes, it's just that once you've completed, you will be on track to run 5k. Just be proud and carry on doing what you're doing!

[Sooperpook Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you, I just feel like such a novice, don't want to take it too easy and feel like I let myself down but as a noob I don't want to hurt myself. I'll stop being silly and get on with enjoying my graduation run when I do it.

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Sooperpook]

Staying injury free is better than pushing too hard. Running slow and steady is key! I can't run a 30min 5k, but now can run much further, several months after graduating, so more time to enjoy the run! It's all good! Try and relax on that ladt run of the programme and then celebrate, regardless of how far you've run. A few weeks ago you were running for 60 second stints, now look what you've achieved!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hey, most people don’t get to 5k in 30 minutes and then there’s the rest of us still running a year or more later and still not very fast but very much fitter and happier for running

My fastest ever 5k was 40 minutes and that was a while ago now, I’m not sure how i managed that either as it’s been slower ever since