Does pace matter?

[snowchaser]

I'm about to start W5 and oh the dreaded 20 minute run is looming this week - hard to imagine I can make that leap, except I've been reading about those of you who have already overcome that hurdle - so encouraging! I'm doing it without the podcasts, as I wear hearing aids and haven't sorted any kit to enable me to listen to them, so I'm using an interval timer on my phone. But this leaves me to go at my own pace, which is just a jog... I wonder if I should be pushing myself harder but have no means of telling! I'm certainly not finding myself breathless, it's my legs that are really feeling it. Any thoughts anyone?

[andystev Graduate]

No, absolutly not. Run at your own pace, what ever feels comfortable. If you feel like you could go faster, do. But don't overdo it. Once you get to week 9, and you're comfortable running for 30 minutes, then starting thinking like a gazelle!

[mrqwest Graduate]

Completely agree with Andy, the C25K plan isn't necessarily about hitting 5k, it's about running comfortably for 30 minutes (C230Mins doesn't have the same ring ).

[Greg_M Graduate]

Ditto to all of the above.

Right now pace is irrelevant, completion is what you are going to feel triumphant about. You go at whatever pace is right for you.

[snowchaser]

Thanks all, so glad you haven't said "you should be running much faster, you slacker!" Of course, that's another great thing about this community - everyone's so encouraging as well as having so much practical advice. It really helps, doesn't it?

[didntrunthat Graduate]

I would say that pace is relevant in that slow is good Especially for the first 20min run - I did this with my sister and she told me straight away I was going too fast if I wanted to last 20mins, big lesson learnt!