I found this interesting, I hope it is of comf... - Couch to 5K
I found this interesting, I hope it is of comfort!
Interesting.... but not necessarily accurate... 
I think that most of us on the C25K programme know that for us... running at our own comfortable pace, and enjoying every step, will take us to 30 Minutes running and beyond
It’s one perspective. Many new runners want to compare with others. I liked these figures because they are reall forgiving!
We are all so wonderfully different, but at this stage for our new runners, we advise the runners just to run, and do that at a comfortable, conversational pace. Speed and distance follow Graduation, if that is the individual's choice.
Diversity on this site would be amazingly helpful in my humble opinion! Alternative opinions might encourage different voices.
As you see from the replies, we have plenty of diversity...and if you pop across to Bridge to 10K as Annieapple suggests, I feel, as she does, that you would love the interaction there.. Our brief here on C25K before folk graduate is to follow the HU advice of keeping folk safe and injury free, when they are beginning and trying not to push too hard when comparing themselves with others.
It's definitely an interesting article but for me it's perpetuating the not necessarily helpful emphasis on speed. What is so important is to just get out there and run at a pace that feels good and is safe for YOU!Even the name 'Couch to 5k' can set up an unrealistic expectation of the speed we can achieve as a runner. Age, sex, weight,build etc etc all are huge determinants of how fast we can run.
Once we start comparing our speed to others we can be setting ourselves up for disappointment. As a short 65 year old woman I can't contemplate the level of training and commitment it would take for me to run 5k in 30 minutes but if I was a tall 25 year old man that speed might seem slow.
What I'm trying to say Hidden is take comfort from the fact you can run. Take joy in your ability to move. Take a pat on the back for bothering to make the effort. Oh, yes, and as to the article, it's good to see some realistic numbers (for some of us, we're all so different 😁)
We are all different I guess! I want to know that I am making progress and this helps, especially as they are so gentle!
🍏Very interesting article for graduates but the emphasis on speed for beginners is counterintuitive to the philosophy here of running slowly to prevent injury. Once we are graduates we can start to play with speed & then it’s fun. I did like the other emphasis of supporting your running with healthy eating and strength & flex exercise& cross training which of course is applicable to all runners from day one! However for those new to running Chi running is the safest option. Thanks you for sharing but may serve our Bridge to 10k Community better. Where are you in your running journey?
When getting started, this about speed/slow, I would have found this helpful when I starte. I think there are a range of psychological responses to competition.
👍 Yes I agree once a runner is established… acknowledged by all the races and marathons & park runs! Are you part of our Bridge community? I think you may enjoy interacting there.
healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k
Thank you for opening up an interesting discussion!
Thanks for your advice!
Totally agree... when the runner is established. The world is our oyster! x
Oh, for perspective, I graduated from c25k 6 years ago and have been running slowly ever since
🍏☺️👍That’s good to hear! Are you wanting to increase your speed or not necessarily?
I am running fast enough when I compare myself to where I wa and to others of my age!
Interesting reading the replies. 🤔
There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your speed, just as there is nothing wrong with enjoying slower paces! I am caught between the two if I’m honest. 🤷♀️ I think I enjoy running more when I do lots of easy pace, slower runs but I also love seeing what is a decent time for me on my Garmin at the end of the run (sometimes!) I am also proud of my own PB’s - despite not having had a new one for a few years now!😂
I thought this quote by Hal Higdon maybe says what we all need to know…🙂
I think you summarise the debate perfectly! We are all a bit conflicted whether to compare or accept. But I think that it’s nice that to know that there are comparisons to other beginner runners (if we want them), even if I mostly compare myself to the 99% of people my age who seem to do no cardio exercise at all🙄
Oh I love this quote!!!!
Me too!☺️
I am very happy to see that I stagger round in a 50-54 age group which is quite an achievement for a 66 year old. Whether I’ll still be going at 99 is unlikely🤣
🍏😂We can only try! Maybe we will be the ones to break all records you never know!!! 🤗🥰🤣
When you start comparing yourself to others then you start preparing yourself to fail.
I learnt this, mainly, from attending the gym but apply it to every part of my life.
I do what I do to the best of my ability, I push myself when I deem it safe to do so but know that there are others who are far better than me and, likewise, there are people who aren't as good as me.
Point I'm trying to make is the only people we should compare ourselves to, is the you from YESTERDAY, no one else.
Glad that you have found an approach that works for you.
When I ran my first half marathon, I was super proud of myself and thought I might not be too far off “Good for Age”. I checked and I was…if I was 65. I’m 42!!
Those numbers are interesting. It shows that running 5k in 30 minutes is going pretty fast compared with the average for most of us and it’s a good reminder that that’s not what the programme is for. It’s to get runners up to 30 minutes continuous running which is a massive achievement. I sometimes feel a bit grumpy that my husband can run 5k and 10k virtually as fast as me even thought I run a lot and have specifically worked on speed. It’s nice to see how much difference there is between men’s and women’s times! Maybe that will help marital harmony…
Running fast is great fun. I absolutely love it and there’s a nice interval speed run in the new Couch to 5k update to look forward to after graduation. Having time goals is absolutely fine too and they’ve been some of the most satisfying ones I’ve hit. There’s a time for it though and that’s after you’ve got a good base to build on. Couch to 5k is all about getting the foundations right first and conversional pace is best for that.
The most important thing to remember is it’s your run, your way at your pace and whatever that is, you’re still a runner and that’s to be celebrated. Running is big enough for all of us to find what we love.
HiPlease can you tell me where to find the interval speed run in the new Couch to 5k update that you mention?
Thanks
I like any stats that tell me I’m above average. It’s a 👍🏻 from me 😉
thanks- that was the point😀
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