Slow and steady

[OrkneyWillow]

After getting frustrated, wanting immediate results and wanting to be able to achieve 5km in 30mins. I realised (after reading many posts, comments and replies), I was asking far too much of myself. I can run for 30- 40 mins, and hey that's great compared to a couple of months ago. I was trying to run too fast and not achieving it. So yesterday i slowed it right down. A 20 min run outside, nice a slow and really I enjoyed it, no breathlessness, no pains in my legs for once and no pains in my foot. I was so chuffed I went to the gym and did another 20 min slow run on the treadmill. Thanks to everyone here who gives advice. I didn't find the couch to 5km a great challenge. My challenge has been afterwards and expecting too much. But your comments and replies have made me see things more clearly and sensibly. Thank you 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Relax and enjoy it and at an easy pace your body will be developing with injury risk minimal.

5k in 30 minutes is a totally arbitrary distance/time combination which many C25K graduates never achieve, but that doesn't prevent them from becoming fitter, healthier and happier than at any other time in their lives.

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.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[OrkneyWillow Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi IannodaTruffeThanks for this. The results of that poll were very interesting!

In the meantime, I will certainly keep running and keep smiling 😃.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Way to go! 🐢 No need to rush and miss all the fun. Relax, see the scenery, smell the flowers - or the seaside or whatever - and enjoy the moment. That’s what it’s really all about. 🎉

[OrkneyWillow Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thanks for your advice Granspeed. I saw and joyed lots on my run yesterday including some Shetland ponies. 😀

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to OrkneyWillow]

They’ve strayed from their island! 🤣

[OrkneyWillow Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

😆😂

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Lots of us never break that 30 mins barrier, but can still enjoy running. Have you tried longer distances rather than faster times? Builds up fitness without pain.

[OrkneyWillow Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Hi BaddieThePirate, no I haven't tried different/ further distances yet. But it's something I will try soon.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to OrkneyWillow]

Good luck. The sense of achievement is huge.

[Hidden]

Hi OrkneyWillow. I am nowhere near achieving 5k in 30 mins, despite running for a few years now. At my best it is just under 37 mins, but it's usually around 40 and I'm delighted with that 😀. Relaxing into those longer runs is the key - it allows your legs to strengthen, your pace to settle and the runs begin to take care of themselves. That's when the magic happens and those PB times just happen when they are ready. Enjoy 😊

[Hidden]

Yay. That's the way to do it.

I certainly enjoy my runs far more when going at a nice steady pace. 👍