It's called couch to 5k but I don't meet many people doing it who are actually running 5k as depending on how fast you run 30 mi utes doesn't equate with 5k it can be an entirely random distance
Shouldn't this actually be called couch to 30 ... - Couch to 5K
Shouldn't this actually be called couch to 30 minutes?
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Glesniruns
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OldflossAdministratorGraduate
Indeed 
This is so well documented on the forum
The name is an oxymoron... but C25K sounds far more catchy than C230... or C2to30 Minutes
This is why we put out the post for Newbies explaining it
MarkyDGraduate
I quite agree, but C25K is so much more memorable that C2r430m3xpw...
Fabulous450Graduate
Somehow, a bit weirdly, if it was Couch to 30 minutes, I’m not sure that I would have started. Thinking there’s no way! I do know some real superstars who are doing more than 5k but I’ve never measured my distance. Maybe I’ll do that on my graduation run. I could surprise myself!
Best of luck for your runs! ❤️
in reply to Fabulous450
I never really measure my distance either! Glad I’m not the only one. Every now & again I read everyone else’s posts about the distance & speeds they are doing & feel inadequate & think I should be doing that - but I should really just think sod it - who cares? Running is running right?
No you’re definitely not on your own! I’m measuring absolutely nothing. Not weight, not time (that’s MJ’s job) or distance. I don’t even look at what the run is going to entail really. I do respect, encourage and admire those who do, but I quite like my own little mystery running world. Running for the sense of accomplishment, great boost of energy and the biggest buzz! ❤️
in reply to Fabulous450
That’s good to hear- you have inspired me & made me feel better. From now on I’m just gonna do whatever feels right at the time.
That's why we love you!!
ickleguiGraduate
the original plan (google Josh Clark and Cool Runnings) is really Couch to 5K. There are 5K races so it sounds a more attractive aim. But the other Couch to 5K versions don't specify a time you have to run in and therefore no speed. We also have no speed requirement due to it only being time. I think our NHS version (and any others which are time only) are great as it seems closer to one size fits all, it is much much easier to time 30 minutes than measure 5K, and it's nice to know when you go for your workout how long exactly it's supposed to take.
I do think the media associated with the plan could be clearer, for example the NHS webpages could give the 30 minute aim first. Or it could be "Couch towards 5K" because most people can then extend to 5K from the base you build during the programme
The programme has taken me from Couch to 5k. It took longer than the 9 weeks but that is what I am now running...
Exactly. Most people I see here with graduate badges are running 5k or more. It just took them more than 9 weeks to get there. And maybe they don’t run it in 30 minutes either ... but 5k is a good aspiration because once attained its sustainable through the likes of the parkrun movement. The 30 minutes three times a week is achieved more quickly, and does meet the NHS advises amount of cardio exercise, even before we get to 5k.
You are right though. You should demand your money back.
or, y'know, run faster.
I agree that it is very misleading and results in many people having unrealistic expectations. When they finish W9R3 and realise they are nowhere near 5K, many feel they are utter failures and thus are unable to celebrate that they can run for 30 minutes. I've known people get to the end of the programme and ditch running for good because they feel they have done so badly. This is a disastrous and destructive result of this stupid name.
Someone who is young, not overweight and fairly fit probably can achieve 5K in 30 minutes on the programme. The tragedy is that it is those who would benefit most, namely people who are heavier and/or older who are made to feel they are useless and whose achievement is dismissed.
It's really enlightening to look at the age gradings. You can find them on any Parkrun results page and there are numerous sites that let you compare your results with people of different ages. These do not take weight and fitness in account, but are still very informative. For example, on one set of Parkrun results, a woman in the 60-64 age bracket came in 15th from last with a time of 39:26. Her age grading was 50.63%, which was better than the 49.11% scored by a man in the 25-29 age bracket, whose finishing time was 26:16, a result that quite possibly she will never be able to achieve.
And sorry, I cannot buy into the excuse that a catchy title justifies humiliating so many people and resulting in a number of them stopping running as a result.
Sorry but I’ve not spotted anyone since March when I joined this forum quitting in the way you describe.
in reply to Jay66UK
This forum is frequented by a tiny minority of people who do C25K. As I said, I know several who gave up running because of disappointment. Also, if people just disappear from this forum quietly, there is no way of knowing the reason why they left, whether they gave up running, and if they did, the reason for that decision.
OK so we’ve gone from ‘so many’ to ‘several’. And ‘because of disappointment’ rather than because they didn’t make 5k. Did you explain to them that this version of couch to 5k focusses on time not distance? Did they not understand you, or not believe you, or did you not explain it in the first place?
in reply to ArthurJG
About 10. A significant number, probably more than people I know personally who have done C25K and persisted afterwards. Disappointment, because they could not reach 5K over the period and thus felt they were unable to take part in Races for Life etc, which was their reason for starting. And I had nothing to explain, because I had never done C25K at that time. I was trying to run and failing to run without any programme then. Later, I tried C25K three times (I think) and gave up at various points, because I could not manage the running intervals. After that, I tried the Galloway method for a number of years, but found myself unable to speed up on either the walking or the running intervals even though I completed five half marathons. So now I'm trying C25K again, and finding it a bit easier than the previous times. However, I also know now that I have no hope of ever covering 5K in much less than 40 minutes. And yes, it does make me feel that I am crap and it is humiliating to have to admit it. I've just got slightly better in handling the fact that I am crap in most people's eyes.
Hmm. You seem to be a facts and figures kinda person and I can identify with that. But you know what, there’s such a thing as over-analysing: I’m guilty of it too. You say all these cases happened before you tried C25k and you also say you’ve tried it several times - so they are not recent examples. Also, you are right to say that not everyone who uses the app participated in the forum, but you seem statistically aware enough to appreciate that it’s still a much larger sample size than ‘about ten’ people known to you. I think most adults are capable of understanding that factors like age weight and even gender will have an effect on how fast they can run and appreciate that therefore, not everyone will get to 5k in thirty minutes after exactly nine weeks. It’s about what you do with that knowledge though. I think people who give up on a programme like this have a variety of reasons but if they were motivated to begin with then I respectfully suggest whatever stopped them was something more than just disagreeing with the title and branding. That really would be overthinking it. Should I be upset that I can’t yet do 5k in 30 minutes or should I be happy that I can run for 30 minutes at all, when 2 minutes was too much earlier in the year?
Seriously, it’s not worth getting angry about. From your other posts you seem to be progressing well at the moment so don’t talk yourself out of it!
You need counselling dude
How many people do you actually know who have felt humiliated and given up running for good because they only went from couch to 4k instead of 5? Because it’s not the experience of most people on this forum: some people are thrown by it at first, sure, but they get support from others on the forum early on and adjust their expectations: they certainly aren’t humiliated and they rejoice in their new ability to run whether it’s 5k, 4 or even 3.
in reply to ArthurJG
About 10 or so over the years.
in reply to
Mostly from the time I was in various Slimming World groups, which I have now given up totally.
Perhaps with a little bit of explanation and support from you they might have been encouraged to stay?
in reply to Jay66UK
This was before I ever tried it myself. In fact, for a couple of years it made me very hesitant about trying. One of the reasons I focus so much on my personal data, is because it helps to counter the toxicity associated with the name and also stops me feeling quite so bad about myself when people complain how "snail-like" they are while posting speeds I can never hope to achieve.
I guess we have to agree to differ.
I don’t recognise the toxicity you describe, nor people generally complaining about being slow (except in the sense that we all push ourselves to improve).
Enjoy your running.
Toxicity is a very strong word. Luckily you managed to get past the toxicity and are now half way through the programme. Well done Strega.
Ten people you state put off, but actually the stats show we have had over 50,000 active forum members. I shall leave it to yourself to work that out as a percentage.
Happy running.
You say it's "toxic". You seem to have met a lot of people who find the programme humiliating. Yet you post fairly frequently about how much you're enjoying your runs and the programme. Is that not just slightly hypocritical?
I'm pleased you're enjoying your runs and hope that you graduate in due course.
in reply to sallenson
I said the name is toxic because of the expectations it triggers, which are unrealistic for a significant proportion of people undertaking the programme, and, yes, I have met people who have felt humiliated in not meeting what they considered was expected of them as implied in the name.
I heard of people failing and giving up BEFORE I did C25K the first time! This time round at C25K is not my first one. I have been trying various strategies in order to run for 14 years now. I'm mostly enjoying the runs now, although I still need to argue with myself for most of the day or even more than one day before I pluck up the courage to go out. However, I fortunately have become more resilient mentally and can cope a bit better with admitting that I am fat, ugly, and a crap runner who is always in the last few and who has never been able to stay in ANY running group because I was always left behind watching everyone disappear over the horizon.
Yes, I have found all this extremely painful and have cried a lot as a result. However
I still want to be a runner and that is why I am trying yet again, now at the age of 64. I have also learned to be very careful what I read on the forum. For example, I never open a post if the snippet implies that times and speed will be mentioned, because I know this will most likely demoralise me and make it even more difficult to face the next session.
YoureDoingGreatPet in reply to
I don’t think people should feel humiliated because they haven’t met what they consider to be expected of them because running 5k in 30 minutes is not what is expected of them. They should feel humiliated because they are stupid.
How could anyone go through 9 weeks of C25k without hearing the phrase “our aim is to get you running for 30 minutes 3 times a week”?
If people only down load the app they won’t get more than a minute into week 1 Run 1 before the coach says it and the spiel in the App Store states the same.
If people use this forum they would be stupid not to read the pinned post Iannodatruffe links to when he welcomes every new member. It states in there quite clearly that most people won’t run 5k in 30 mins and also that not everyone will graduate in 9 weeks. Personally it took me 5 months and it still takes me 37 mins to do 5k a month after graduating.
Seems to me these people who get humiliated by the name will be the same people who come on here ranting about having to walk intervals again on WK6 R1. If they have 30 years hands on experience in sports science I’m all ears, if not wind your neck in and either do what the experts recommend or find another program.
They call it Shepherd Pie, as far a I know there are no f**king shepherds in it 😒
I don't think they chose the name intending to humiliate people - in fact they just took a program that already existed, made it a bit more inclusive by switching to time based rather than distance based - and didn't bother to change the name. I'm sure it was just an oversight, an unfortunate one perhaps, but at the end of the day I think the program does heck of a lot more to bolster people's confidence than it does to destroy it.
Perhaps you should consider legal action then?
in reply to sallenson
Sarcasm really does not help people who are struggling against a horde of demons each time they try to go out of the door to run.
amanda2463 in reply to
To be honest I’d rather share my runs here at the moment with all the people who have offered such kind non judgemental words of encouragement along the way. I have never read a single post that is patronising and if some people are running faster and further we should celebrate their achievements whilst we celebrate our own .Couch to 5K or couch too thirty minutes it doesn’t matter, just getting off the couch is fabulous 😀
Hello I am due to do W9R3 on Monday and this will mean I have graduated...... I will not achieve 5k..... I will definitely not be disappointed! I have worked hard to manage to run for 30 minutes and am so proud of myself. FYI the final run should have been tomorrow but am doing junior 2k park run with 5 year old granddaughter who wants to start running with grandma tomorrow I couldn’t be happier 😍
Good for you. Exactly. That's the real point. Not this "I can only run 4.9K so I want my money back and legal redress" stuff
Is there a form I should fill out ?
That’s great news Fernshome! I feel exactly the same. I respect everyone’s reasons for doing this programme, but the most important point to me is getting to experience some amazing things that you would have once only dreamed of, from the couch and absolutely enjoying every moment of it! Have a great run with your granddaughter! ❤️
How fantastic - enjoy your run tomorrow
Millsie-JGraduate
There are alternative programmes available should folk wish to pay instead of using this totally free, awesome programme.
I have repeatedly typed responses to this and deleted them. FFS really. Get a ****ing grip.
TrickyRunsGraduate
I think most people are happy to celebrate other people's times such as when people do achieve a sub 30 5k - I've never done this, but I am really blooming happy for them as I know how much time and effort they have put into achieving it and I am sure no-one has got there without fighting their own gremlins, perhaps they don't always share the gremlins with us, but I dare anyone to claim they don't have any!
I don't mean to upset anyone but I would hate to think that someone would read a post like this and be put off sharing their time or achievement, for fear of making someone feel bad.
Sometimes perhaps we need to accept it is our own personal gremlins which cause us to feel unsuccessful, and not app names or other people's achievements...
Ang33333Graduate
I will never run a 30 min 5k and I don't care!! I can run now!!! I have found something I love and I really don't care that I am slow!! I will run 5k very soon and will be so proud. It's very clear when you start this that the aim is 30 mins not 5k. Very clear. I refuse to feel bad that I am a slow runner! I tried running at 6min a k pace for 'fun' - it's not for me. Slow and steady all the way. 🐌🐌🐌
Go you, hon!! I get so tired of this nonsense about "It should be called something else, cos..."
If people can't see all the incredibly positive stuff that's behind the name, then that's their misfortune. As for us, we'll just carry on loving it all xx
Yep...I’m definitely in the don’t care club! I’ve taken up something amazing at an age when a large amount of people are deciding to slow down or that they couldn’t possibly do it now. I wanted to challenge myself and celebrate being older and very happy with myself! The joy of taking my first step running outside for the first time ever, full of fear, but facing it, will stay with me for quite some time to come!
I would say to Saga, don’t give up, its up to each person to decide their own path, but please do understand that everyone has their own unique experience! ❤️
Yay! Being in your 50's is great!! I really don't care what other people think now. Do what makes you happy? Life is too short. I had cancer ages 36.My mum is fighting cancer now. Life is precious! 😀😀😀
I understand so well Ang! It’s my 50th next year, but I didn’t expect to get so hooked! And I definitely wasn’t sure I would be able to do it (Me?🤔), so I thought I’d make an early start 🤣. I have been so amazed. My dad passed away at 59 and my brother at 46, so I take my 50th with immense gratitude and an age that deserves a big celebration of life. I often think of them when I’m running. I’m sure they’ve had a good giggle up there, but proud!
I’m hoping to be sitting on a hot beach somewhere exotic, drinking cocktails, after my nice early morning run on my own, on the beach! I can see it now!! 😁❤️
Leaving this forum now.
Will probably drink a lot of gin and may never run again.
Hope you smug sarcastic people are all happy with that.
Mate you need some help. I hope you find it.
😂 Jesus Christ
Hi there, not sure if you have left, but drinking gin on your own can be pretty naff. If you would like to pour me one (virtually of course), we could have a natter about stuff - I’d prefer brandy if you have it? 😁🥃 I think its possible to pm people?
Say what? Really? How very sad.
I’m new to running at 54, embarking on W5 tomorrow. I’m proud of my accomplishments to date and have enough common sense to realise that when I do eventually graduate (which I WILL!), it 100% won’t be over 5k. It has never, ever occurred to me to worry about this. Who cares?
This is the most upbeat and encouraging forum out there. We’re all different - age, weight, gender, etc etc. Why would anyone think 5k would be achievable to everyone over the same time period?
Life is too short. Let’s all enjoy our new found pastime. We’re all amazing!
Happy running! ❤️🏃♀️
Fabulous450Graduate
😱! Wow
There’s a lot of unhappiness in his (I assume) posts earlier in the thread.
I think female
Yeah? 😳
Funnily enough I thought male! 🤔
I thought "grumpy idiot man" until all the tears and gin started. Then I changed my mind. Whatever gender was involved (possibly several) there are hundreds of thousands of pounds of therapy just waiting to be spent.
F*** it all, just enjoy the running, enjoy that you can do what you couldn't do a few weeks ago and celebrate it.
When I see another "Why is this called C25K?" post I shall cross the road and move swiftly on. Hoping that my shorts stay up
ickleguiGraduate
oh wow. What on earth happened here??
Whatever people feel about the name, we the forum - although I am aware Laura herself has been on here - didn't choose it and don't have the power to change the bumf that comes with it! I am sad that this thread ended up this way 
RealfoodieclubGraduate
Well I can only reply as an a person who has never reached 30 mins for 5km and still can not. I Have always tried to inspire people on this site with my own ability’s. It takes me over 3 hours to do a HM but I am proud of the fact I can run a HM. This forum works because the majority of us find 5km in 30 mins hard we come together because some of of can do it and some of us can’t. It works because of that dynamic so I refuse to apologise for the app or try to justify it. This forum works because those of us who feel lost when we can’t reach 30 mins in 5km come together to understand our differences. I’m sorry people have left because of this argument but I won’t apologise for our reason for being together.
I think the (I assume) guy has some challenges to deal with. As I said above, I hope he seeks some help because he’s one unhappy soul.
Marvo69Graduate
Ok I'm writing to Laura, my MP and the lead singer of echo and the bunny men.
I wanted it called Sofa to some arbitrary distance in a pre determined time (in Earth minutes). Very pithy indeed.
sallensonGraduate
See what you started? WW3!!
WOW WTH did I miss?? 😵 Is this for real?? Were we supposed to run 5k in 30 mins to graduate???!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬 !!!!
I came into this post very late when the fur was already flying. It all got a bit OTT. And one particular individual who's now deleted his profile weighed in with quite a lot of stuff about the programme being toxic and all of us being hostile and culty and bring about the end of Western Civilisation.
While I was posting about my shorts falling down.
Jay66UK did his best to pour oil on troubled water, bless him. More patience than me. Hopefully he's sleeping it off now..
I’m shocked that someone is so bitter about a title of a plan. I saw this post early on in the eve before ‘hidden’ came on - it is that the OP? I’m confused Stephen...😔
I can't remember the profile name of the person who weighed in with the bitterness. It wasn't the OP. Tho that poor lady probably doesn't yet know what kicked off in response to her original post.
It all got a bit "pubs have just turned out and there might be a bit of aggro" for a while..
Just saddened that our lovely sanctuary was tainted by OTT ridiculousness. 😞
Jay66UK was drunk too?? 😂😂😂
He's too wise to drink. Just water and camomile.
🤮
It has been known. But not last night.
What's "5K" anyway? Is it a room number?
£5000 😊
Someone's offering to buy my sofa for 5K? Blimey. I've got a few sofas. I'll be minted
That’s how I understood it....still waiting for my cheque from Oldfloss ....🙄
What's she going to do with all the sofas? Build more podiums? We need to be told. No wonder the NHS is in crisis if they're paying over the odds for old sofas tho.
I shall write to my MP. Things must be done.
I think they are going to be IC’s. She takes such good care of us. Always prepared with a cuppa and a couch to rest our weary limbs on. 😊
And a kind word. Oldfloss is the best!!
No its my goal weight 5 kilograms, a girl can hope🙄🎂
DoingthebestIcanGraduate
What I have loved about this forum is there has never been any negativity. But I suppose there is always one! 😁 off to run my just over 3k in 30 mins and not at all disappointed 😁
Well done you and great job.
There was a fair tidal wave of nasty-minded stuff on here.
Let's just keep on running however far we can and keep supporting each other through. That's what we do and that's what this is all about. xx
sarahspainGraduate
Who cares if you are improving each time you run and enjoying it what does it matter what it is called "don't sweat the small stuff " springs to mind
Exactly! What’s a the odd KM between friends. 🤗
Yup!!
Fabulous450Graduate
Oh well this has been the first experience of anyone saying something negative, but not wanting anyone else to speak. I still feel sorry for whoever it is. There seems to be a lot going on.
I on the other hand guys am going to a festival today and I have on shorts in true I don’t care fashion! I think my extra rest day to graduate on the birthday will be tomorrow now. Makes sense, as I’ll be drinking far too much water to have a great run! 😉 Have a wonderful day all! Life is for living as happily as you can! Every day deserves at least a smile! ❤️
Have a fabulous day Fabulous450 !! Sorry will stop doubling up on ‘fabulous’ - but love that word!! Xx
Somehow, I really don’t mind that Ripcurlrana! 🤣 Thank you! ❤️
RealfoodieclubGraduate
Glesniruns i am so sorry this post has taken the turn it has, I am now turning off the replies, you question was a good one but was hijacked and for that I am sorry.
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