30 mins or 5 k

[Haughton]

I run 5 k in 45 mins So most people run 5 k in 30 mins??

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

If you’re asking whether you need to 5k in 30 minutes to graduate, you don’t. The couch to 5k programme is all about time, not distance. Apparently 90% of us don’t hit 5k during the programme and that doesn’t matter at all. Most of our graduates build up slowly afterwards when the time is right after a time of consolidation. Average 5k times will vary by age. If you can run 5k in any time, that’s something to be really proud of!

[Hidden]

I am definitely going to start telling people that my 5k speed is in the top 20%😂

Thank you so much for that!!!!

[Cmoi Graduate]

No, most people don't run 5k in 30 minutes. Times vary depending on gender, age, route, elevation gain, running surface, weather, training, rest, motivation, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It doesn't matter, getting out to run and enjoying yourself is what's important!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I run about your pace, have run 5k a bit faster but will never run 5k in 30 minutes, just think though, we can run for 45 minutes and that's awesome

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

I can't imagine the amount of training it would take for me to be able to run 5k in 30 minutes. I'm just really impressed with myself that I can run 5k at all!!

Congratulations, you can do this impressive thing too

[Sallyeliza Graduate]

I run 5k in same time as you and it’s fine. Good on you for running 5k😀

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Hi Haughton, may I add to the excellent responses you’ve already had (and of course they’re excellent - this is the HU forum!). I don’t think I’ve ever run 5k in less than 45 minutes and my average is about 48 - twice the time some of my best running buddies do it in! But I’m running and that never ceases to amaze me so I’m content! You might speed up as you get more experienced or you might not but please don’t worry about it, just enjoy what you do and try not to compare yourself to the speedsters out there. Happy running!

[Haughton in reply to Oldgirlruns]

thank you for sound advice

[Hidden]

Better and better!

Could you please extend your search to Mars?

[Hidden]

I'm setting off at a slow jog now. . .

[nowster Graduate]

I tried to do 5km on my graduation run of Couch to 5K. My natural pace in the previous two runs was very close. I think I did 4.5km on one of them. I deliberately chose a route that was mostly gently downhill for my graduation run.

I got up to the last three minutes, twisted my ankle swerving round a muddy patch, and completed the run. I'd done it (to the second), but at what cost?

Within a week I couldn't walk without pain. I'd sprained the ligaments on both sides of my left ankle. I needed two physio visits to fix it. That was nearly two and a half years ago.

Nowadays I'm a bit fitter. I can now do 5km without strain in under 30 minutes. That came from running regularly and extending my distances. Every time I tried specifically to go for speed I'd tweak something and have to take an extended rest for a bit.

My local parkrun has a large spread of finishing times for doing 5km. There are those who come in below 20 minutes, and there are those who plod round in an hour. The later ones tend to get more cheering than the early finishers.

The point of this ramble is that you should do the pace you're comfortable with and not compare yourself against the leggy teenagers who make doing 5km look effortless.

[Haughton in reply to nowster]

thank you I will

[Irish-John Graduate]

Never have, very doubtful if I ever will 33 minutes and change best ever, and that was when I was training really hard However - thanks to this programme and the advice and support of the membership here I went from 'zero' distance to running a FM in five years - didn't take me five years to run the FM I hasten to add LOL But from dang near passing out and trying to breathe through both ends of my body on day one, week one, to running 26.2 miles with only the one or two or so having to walk is certainly progress.