Not running the distance within the minutes...

[wsquared]

I drove my route to finally get my mileage calculations of how far I was actually running. I"m about .3 of a mile short on each run. Ex. 10 minutes only making it .7 versus 1 mile... Does this mean I should do that run again to get better? I know I'm really out of shape.

[debbzi Graduate]

Don't worry about the mileage. The key is just to keep running for the length of time specified on each run. Mileage will come later. I certainly hope so as a 30-minute run still leaves me about 500m short of the 5k and I graduated weeks ago. xxx

[AliB1 Graduate]

Debbzi if you are only 500m short of 5k in 30 mins you are doing fab! i'm about 1km behind! We will get there!!

[Dansmum Graduate]

I'm on Week 6, so not a graduate but the way I understand it is, the important thing is to do the times and not worry about speed yet. I think that by keeping running for the length of time required for each run we are building our stamina. We know this is true because we can all run for more than 60 secs now, speed will come later as our fitness increases.

As for repeating runs, if you have managed the length of time specified, then move on to the next one, trust in yourself and the plan, we know it works. Personally, I'm always scared at the start of each run that I won't be able to do it, never confident, but somehow I have completed them all to date. That is why I find this program so magical, can't believe I ran 1.9 miles/3k on Monday for my W5R3 20mins when only 4/5 weeks ago I couldn't run for 60 secs.

Good luck and keep posting.

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Dansmum]

I think you are correct about the priority of doing the time, not the distance. But you may be happy to realize that your current pace has you running 5K in 33 minutes, which is darn good.

[Dansmum Graduate in reply to Alaiyo]

Thanks for that Alaiyo. The pace will come down as the runs get longer I'm sure.

[wsquared in reply to Dansmum]

Thanks. Good reminder. I too think before I start that I can't finish or won't, but always do and it feels great. Each time is easier. Thanks for all the answers.

[blueangel Graduate in reply to Dansmum]

Thanks for the inspiration Dansmum. I was beginning to lose confidence as I am doing the times but my speed is slow. You are right, In the beginning, I was finding the 90 seconds difficult - now I'm on week 6 and can run for 20 minutes non stop. I must be doing something right!

[tygfuz Graduate]

There are a few of us not doing the 5K in the 30mins. The parkrun I did last Saturday was in fact one of my fastest at 36.28mins.So you are definitely not alone.

[kevstar3824]

I'm no expert but it is amount of time running, not the distance covered.

Speed and distance should improve with fitness and stamina