My distance isn't 5k :(

[Ako89]

I am on W8R2 and I thought by this week I would be closer to running a full 5km since it's 28 min of running. Honestly, I am only 2/3s of the way there, which means I would need another 14 or so min to reach 5k. So even if I add those 2 min next week, it won't be enough. Is this normal? What was your experience?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are doing great.

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.

[Mrsrun Graduate]

Don't worry most people who finish never run a 5k under 30 minutes . I just checked a local Park Run results close to me . 300 people finished , 165 took over 30 minutes to finish (many near the one hour mark) ! I doubt I ever will run under 30 minutes for a 5 k but I know I have it in me to run longer and keep off the couch! Happy running.

[Hidden in reply to Mrsrun]

Looks like you are eyeing up the Parkruns for your post graduation Mrs Run. 🤣🤣

You will love it. 👍

[Mrsrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh the cat is out the bag! I think I will have to keep looking or in fact start a new one.... I cannot find one that is all down hill ! Seriously , I have seen one that is relatively flat , pretty close to here ....But not for a month or so ! I think I will enjoy it , thanks.. I bet you enjoy them !

[Instructor57 Graduate]

You are doing just fine .5k is not a requirement for graduation and is only achieved by around 10% of people .

Read this

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

It’s normal, never fear! Although it’s Couch to 5k it’s really couch to 30 minutes- which isn’t as catchy! A large proportion don’t manage 5k by the end of the programme. Some of us never do - there’s one way I’ll ever do it but it doesn’t matter, it’s the running that counts! So enjoy your last few runs on the plan!

[JetsNanna Graduate]

Ako89 - I graduated nearly a year ago and I can’t run 5k in 30 mins. It’s not a requirement of C25K to do so and you’ll see the question being asked time and time again on here.

Your pace may improve with time and it may not but *here’s the important bit* - it doesn’t matter either way. Whatever pace you run at or whatever distance you eventually manage in 30 mins it is still 30 mins of running and that’s amazing!

Be kind to yourself - you’re a runner now 😊

[Frenc Graduate]

You’re doing brill! I think I ran 4.2k on my last C25K run, something like that. I still can’t run 5k in half an hour - I graduated in January! Not many people can, the aim is to run for 30 minutes, and you’ll nail it. 😊😊😊

[nowster Graduate]

I can do a 5km run in 30 minutes. However the first time I did it, on my graduation run, my prize was a doubly sprained ankle and shin splints, developing over the course of several days to the point that I couldn't walk without pain. That was nearly a year ago.

These days I'm more interested in doing distances rather than the speed it takes to do them.

[Rayblade900]

Hi Ako89 and firstly "well done" on your achievement so far. There's a lot of great advice on this forum and I already have learned a great deal from others myself in the short time I've been running.

My advice... be patient, listen to your body and like so may say "it doesn't matter about time". You may or may not achieve that 5K in 30 mins but the objective is to try not to push yourself to injury. Enjoy your running and great you're off the couch and exercising 👍. Best wishes.

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Hi Ako89 I am due to do my final run of week 9 on Friday and there is no way I am going to get anywhere near 5k. My run today I covered just under 3k and I wouldn't be at all surprised if I never hit that magical 5k in 30 minutes! I can, however, run for 30 minutes non-stop (slowly mind!) without it crippling me and that is good enough for me.

Once you graduate, you can join the consolidation group where you can work on timing and distances if you really want to hit that 5k/30minute goal but, for now, just enjoy the journey and celebrate that final run no matter how long it is with the gusto it deserves😀👍💪👏

[Beccym Graduate]

Most of us are not at 5k at the end of the program. But couch to 5k is more catchy than couch to 30 mins without stopping.Even now after several years of running I don't always do a sub 30 5k. My last 2 parkruns have been 31 mins.

[Katnap Graduate]

Don't sweat it Ako89 I seem to recall it was 3 weeks after graduation that I managed to do 5k in 30 minutes. Maintain regular runs and your times will improve in line with your fitness.

Try not to compare with others (hard I know) only with yourself. You aren't a robot so don't expect continuous improvement. It will be up and down but the trend will go the right way when you keep the habit.

Happy running!

You will graduate so what are your plans after?

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Ako89 Graduate in reply to Katnap]

I have no idea! Hoping to read some more posts on here to see what others do after graduation. I have to make a plan so I make sure to keep up with my running. Thank you for your reply!

[Katnap Graduate in reply to Ako89]

Through the HU forum it is common to repeat Week 9 for 2 or 3 weeks before joining the Bridge to 10k and the Ju-Ju's Magic Plan as it means you can still get support and encouragement from other new and experienced runners. 👍🐱👍

[Deals1 Graduate]

Don't worry about it. Everyone is different. I graduated 3 year ago and only occasionally complete 5k in 30mins or less.

[Cazrun]

At the start I thought distance was important. It's not to me now.

I havent graduated but done the 5k park run in just under 40mins. If that puts your mind at ease. I am happy with that time. Exstatic actually cos despite all odds I got round that 5k slowly but I made it. Not too long ago I wouldn't have.

I have seen though from the files that once you graduate and do a few miles at that your speed increases as body becomes accustomed. There is another section for distance and time I found on here somewhere ( I cant direct you, forgotten where it was) perhaps this could be of interest for you too.