Hi all, new to this community. I'm on week 6 and just finished run 2 (Two 10 minute runs).
I was able to complete it but i constantly feel like im going too slow, but any faster and i wouldnt be able to finish it!! I would say i go at a light jog, but i definitely wouldn't call it running. I get a bit disheartened seeing everyone flying past me.
I feel like i can't go faster though or i genuinely wont complete it. But then again is there any point doing it if i'm not even technically running?
Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.
It sounds like you have the pace just about right.
Counterintuitively, it is easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.
Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one out breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....
and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
Enjoy your journey.
Welcome to the forum Aoife97 and well done for getting started have you read the guide on how to run C25K
healthunlocked.com/couchto5.... Also in the pinned posts in FAQs is a post how slow or fast should I run
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
You should be running (rather jogging) at a pace that you can hold a conversation.
When I run I always start off slower than what I think, and that is slow I find that naturally I pick up the pace during the run. I often get people gallop past me I won't let this bother me as I think they might be running faster for a period of time.
Keep running and enjoy.
Well done with your progress!I would agree with IannodaTruffe it sounds to me as you have the pace just right .
Running (jogging) at a conversational pace is the best way to develop your strength and stamina (and as you say , to complete the run !)
Just keep doing what you are doing as it sounds just fine !
Relax and enjoy !
Well you have had the answers, and now you know. There is, ( unless you are being chased by something), no such thing as too slow
If you ain't walking, you're running
Check this out, please.
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
You are doing wonderfully...Week 6 leading into the lovely, longer runs, which are perfect for slow and steady, relaxed running. Let the new running legs, do what they are doing. Take your time, look around and simply. enjoy.
And the gazelles flying past you...? Well , that is their pace, and you have your own...
remember,
"Comparison is the thief of joy".
That's what this is all about., joy.
On you go and well done!
I’m so glad you asked this question Aoife97 and all the replies have really helped me . I’ve only just started literally first session of week one yesterday. I was really worried that even my brisk walking pace was too slow but any faster and I wouldn’t have completed it and that would have been even worse for me I think. But it did leave me doubting myself. Now I’m thinking I’m not alone with these doubts and actually I’m probably in good company
Your best development will come by going at a pace where you could hold a conversation with someone jogging next to you.This is one of the hardest messages to get across but probably the most important!
Enjoy!
Don’t speed up Poohsticks …you’re spot on if you’re keeping going so don’t change 😉
Hiya
I find that I do my brisk walk, arms at sides. If I then bend my arms at the elbows all of a sudden I am jogging. You’ll find that your jogging is actually no faster than your brisk walk, and may even be slower! But it’s a lot more energetic, hence it’s important to practice at this really slow pace first. It takes me ages to overtake the dog walkers, and I used to get embarrassed, but it doesn’t bother me now. When I can jog for 30 mins I might think about ‘faster’, but maybe not :0) Enjoy!
I thought I was really slow until I read advice on here about can I say a sentence whilst running and I found I couldn’t so I’ve slowed down even more but I found that I could run for longer without it feeling horrible so I’m going to be one pace faster than a fast walk - at least we will finish our runs 🏃♀️👍🏻
I dream of doing 5K in 30 minutes Aoife - but it probably won't happen However - I have so much fun running, that doesn't want to make me quit. I guess 'the point' for me is found in the enjoyment of just being able to run at any pace. It's great exercise, more engaging than walking, needs minimal equipment and flexible when it comes to time, I travel to places and meet people I never would have otherwise, I regularly see the 'theatre' that can occur on the streets - been some interesting sights lol - and I have new friends all over the world thanks to being able to hang around this forum and contribute a little to it I will never be fast - but it's a great feeling to reach 'next distance - to go from 5 k to 10k to however far you want to aim for
I hope you stick with us, and find the Joy of running
The question I would ask is "Could you have done the two 10 minute runs before you started the C25k? ". If the answer is no, then you have improved. What more can you ask for? I doubt there is anyone on this site that is aiming for the next Olympics so there is always going to be someone faster than any one of us. Similarly, there are going to be people slower.
Continue at your pace and just enjoy it. Good luck.
There is no such thing as too slow. As long as you're moving you're still faster than the folks still on the couch.
You know that speed you do when sitting on the couch at home? Yeah ... *THAT* is too slow 
" i go at a light jog, but i definitely wouldn't call it running."
That is PERFECT! AS long as you can breath very easily and comfortably and be able to chat quite normally (we call it chatty or conversational pace) then you're doing great.
"I get a bit disheartened seeing everyone flying past me."
Don't! There is no need. Are they your competitors? No. Forget them - do YOUR thing!
" is there any point doing it if i'm not even technically running?"
Of course there's a point! You're going WAAYYY faster than everyone else sitting on the couch.
You're very young compared to most on here which is why I think you've assumed C25K should be done as running in the technical sense. NOOOO!
Doing a light jog is the right way to go. Keep doing that and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Do NOT be tempted to break into a (technical) run.
Watch these:
Hi Aoife97 …there’s no such thing as too slow…if you’re completing your runs then you have your pace spot on! Keep it that way 😉
Morning, sounds like you are doing a fantastic job. You are at the start of a life long journey, why would you want to rush it and risk injury? Go at your pace and over time and months of running that pace may increase. The important thing is you are out there doing what’s right for you and your body. I graduated a couple of weeks ago and am slowly increasing my pace - I’ve only been running for 3 months and I’ve made progress. You have to run comfortably- otherwise you won’t want to run at all.
Enjoy the rest of the program at your pace and you will complete it with a smile on your face, a huge amount of pride and a healthier you ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks. Sadly the heat has stopped progress this week 🥵🥵🥵. It’s just too darn 🥵. I long for a run in the rain 🤣🤣.
You enjoy your progress too, we are all in this together 💪
First of all, well done on reaching week 6. I graduated just over 3 weeks ago and for the whole of the programme and for every run I thought I was running to slow, or not really running. Everyone else was faster than me but I took all the good advice I was given and kept telling myself it was more important to get to running for 30 minutes. Well I got there in spite of myself and all the gremlins in my head that told me I couldn't and in the process I discovered the joy of running my own way and at my own speed. Now 3 weeks into consolidation my speed is improving 😧 without me even trying harder. Turns out all that advice was worth taking. You're doing great so just keep doing what you're doing, it's been said before but comparison really is the thief of joy. 🏃♀️🐌😊
Sooooo slow... is there any point?!?
How slow is too slow for a 5k?
Is there such a thing as being too slow?
Slow is ok right? 
So Horribly Slow!
