speed, stamina or stepping stones -so much cho... - Couch to 5K

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speed, stamina or stepping stones -so much choice!

happierswimming profile image
happierswimmingGraduate
2 Replies

I downloaded all of these when they came out just about the time I graduated then listened, trying to work out whether I wanted to run at 165bpm, and for how long, or 160 bpm, ditto, or 155 bpm ditto and got really confused! I thought speed and stamina might do exactly what it says on the tin and want me to run faster for longer, but stepping stones sounded a nice, gentle start to a new regime ( you know, shades of childhood paddling in water, sunny days, quiet places-)Yeah, right! It's defeated me 4 times now as I try to increase my pace to 160bpm for the last 5 minutes.

Stamina? 160bpm for 20 minutes- don't think that's going to happen. And it didn't. Managed 15minutes because my running stride is short so I'm dancing on the spot to maintain the beat. And 165bpm for 5 minutes to finish- no waaaay. One more podcast that needs work :(

So today I tried speed.

Not bad, really not bad. Intervals, which I like and only for 60 seconds and only 6 repeats. Gotta love it! Defeated by the last couple of minutes at 155bpm but I'll get those on Monday, I promise, Laura.

I'm also trying c25k again running at my usual speed for the walking parts and at a faster pace for the running interval but I'm only on week 2 with that programme, trying 7.5kph for the jogging parts and 9kph for the running parts. I don't have Laura for those because I use an app called GetRunning which has the same weeks as Laura but I can play my own music in the background while some other woman counts down the minutes for me.

So between all these podcasts, I should be able to maintain fitness and perhaps go faster for further as the weeks go by- we'll see :)

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happierswimming profile image
happierswimming
Graduate
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Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

Hi Happierswimming, I've done all 3 now but have to say for me Speed was the best by far to get used to the faster stride and because its for just 1 minute bursts at a time its not a killer.

Keep up the good work though you sound as if you have it all under control.

Just wish we could control these spam blogs the same way!

totalbeginner profile image
totalbeginnerGraduate

yes i too have preferred speed, though havent yet tried stamina. i liked the intervals too. sounds like youre doing really well with it - well done you. ive found really hard to stay motivated.

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