What's a realistic target time for 5k?

[rhosred]

Hello - just discovered these boards. Did my 20 min run at the end of week 5 today and ran just over 3k. So, had decided if I got this far was going to enter the Llandudno 5k on easter sunday - but I need to put a target time on the form? So, what is realistic? 30 mins feels quite a step up from what I'm doing now. On the one hand I have two months ... on the other I need to increase the length of time I run for and get faster ... 35 mins feels too easy as all I need to do is keep going at the same pace for another 10 minutes ...

[back_to_18 Graduate]

If you take a running calculator such as the one here: runnersworld.co.uk/general/... and input your 20 min time for approx. 3K then this gives a time of approx. 34 mnutes.

You don't say if you're actually doing C25K but by the end your time/speed may well have increased significantly.

However, a time of 30 - 35 minutes would be a fair guesti-mate.

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Hey this is a really good calculator, would be good if they could add it to this site

[mark909 Graduate]

I'm sure 35 mins is a perfectly respectable time for your first 5km. Why not put between 30 and 35 mins to account for your increase in fitness over the coming months. Once you complete the c25k you should go and do a few park runs to get a better idea of your time and experience of running with groups of people (Which makes you run faster by the way ;)).

[Lifebeginsat40]

35 mins is certainly ok and sub-30 is a good standard to aim for

[rhosred]

Thanks all - doh hadn't occurred to me I could put a range e.g. 30-35 minutes! Would love to do a parkrun but there isn't one anywhere near me

[rhosred]

PS Yes - I am doing C25k