advice please : just a quick question…. Is... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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advice please

DawnFreshStart profile image
9 Replies

just a quick question…. Is running steady and slowish good for you? This is the long bit… I run on the treadmill and vary between the 3 types of programmes on the treadmill..calorie burn, endurance and training. I find I am not liking the training at all. I feel like stopping after half an hour. But on the steadier programmes I can run further. I was working on the basis of doing various types of running each time. I run at just under 10 minute miles. I feel today I am not getting anywhere and feel quite 💩for not completing the training programme, but I did continue my run for a further 45mins. Any help or advice appreciated.

I am not looking to run a marathon (or half) in super speedy times. I am just trying to improve my fitness/health and hopefully loose a few excess pounds.

Thank you for reading. Go easy on me I am a beginner 😃

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DawnFreshStart profile image
DawnFreshStart
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9 Replies
Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Hi DawnFreshStart and welcome back .I notice it was around 2 years ago that you did your HM .

Have you been running regularly since then ?

DawnFreshStart profile image
DawnFreshStart in reply to Instructor57

yes I have. Most weeks I run Monday to Friday. Try to do a minimum 3.5 miles on each run.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate in reply to DawnFreshStart

Ahh ok , in that case you may find the video in this post useful

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

Hi DawnFreshStart , to answer your quick question directly, yes, running steady and slowish - by which I mean a comfortable pace where you could carry on a conversation and not just gasp out a few words - is good for you. Elites do about 80% of their training at this easy pace.

That said, I'm a bit confused by your post! You describe yourself as a beginner, but mention an under 10 minute mile pace and that you continued to run for 45 minutes after you were supposed to finish. To me, that's definitely not a beginner, certainly not if it means you were running for an hour and fifteen minutes! Have I got that right?

While you're very welcome on this forum and we'll try to help as much as possible, it's primarily aimed at people who are currently doing or re-doing C25K. So if your current typical running is as described in this post, you might also like to have a look at one or both of our sister forums:

Bridge to 10K: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k

A community for runners looking to crack a 10k. The perfect place for NHS Couch to 5K Graduates and other more experienced runners. Join for support and accountability on your running journey.

Marathon and events: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

This community is about connecting new, aspiring, and experienced half marathon and marathon runners and those training for any sort of racing event. We share support, stories, experiences, and knowledge. Please feel free to join to talk about race events, training, anxieties, nutrition and more - everyone is welcome whatever your level or ability!

Happy running, whatever you choose!

DawnFreshStart profile image
DawnFreshStart in reply to Cmoi

I started by doing couch to 5k July 2020 which I completed. I still see myself as a beginner…have I levelled up without even knowing 😂

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply to DawnFreshStart

Honestly? You're not a beginner any more!

I completed C25K at the very end of June 2020, continued my running, and have actually done a trail marathon event. I'm very definitely still learning, always will be, and I'm inexperienced compared to many runners, but I wouldn't describe myself as a beginner any more.

Nothing to do with having achieved a specific pace, or distance, or anything else. It's simply that if I compare what I know now to what I knew when doing C25K, or the sort of running I can now do compared to what I could do then, the goalposts have moved.

What you're now doing is probably a dream compared to how you felt when you started C25K!

DawnFreshStart profile image
DawnFreshStart in reply to Cmoi

so true. I did more effing and swearing in those first few weeks but I stuck with it. Ran a few half marathons. Just felt a bit defeated today because I struggled with the training programme.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply to DawnFreshStart

I think we all get frustrated and fed up at times! I see you're already a member of the Marathon forum, so do pop over, we'd love to see you there. We've even got free virtual 10k and HM events in mid-May, if you fancy taking part. 😀

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

The usual advice is that the majority (80%) of your running time and distance should be at an easy pace: one you could easily hold a conversation at.

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