Opinions wanted please from Couch to 5km graduates

[fishtankbrain]

I am a keen runner and about to undertake Run England's Leader in Running Fitness course which qualifies me to run running groups.

I was considering setting up a Couch to 5km group with the plan being - meet one night a week for the prescribed run and then the members have to do the other two runs by themselves during the week. I know that obviously you can do the whole thing by yourself if you're sufficiently motivated, but for those that lack motivation I thought that the idea of doing one run a week with people in the same position would be a good incentive to make sure you got out and did the other runs so that you didn't fall behind. Also obviously the camaraderie of the group and support via a Facebook group etc, someone to answer questions about niggles/technique etc. All culminating in a parkrun together at the end.

I was planning to charge £5 per week (.payable for the whole course at the beginning).

For those of you who have done Couch to 5km, do you think there would be a demand for this?

Many thanks.

[MajesticWhine]

I think it's a really good idea. And going out in a group, making friends and getting expert tips would be enough of a selling point I think. I would have welcomed something like that when I did C25k.
One possible drawback I could see is that people might complete C25K over a different number of days, e.g. some would do the prescribed 3 runs per week, and others might only manage 1 run every 3 days, so they get a bit behind by the time it gets to the weekly meeting. I know it took me a little bit longer than 9 weeks to finish the course. But on the plus side, I guess the discipline of the weekly meet might mean that they keep up with the program, especially if they have paid upfront.
Also I wonder if people might worry that they were too slow for the group?
By doing the whole course, you would not be able to get extra members by having people join your group at any point in time. So you are reliant on recruiting enough people all in one go. Sorry, not meaning to pick holes in it, just thinking aloud - it's a good idea I think.

[sweetvparsley]

I don't know what part of the UK you are in but £5 sounds a little steep for running outdoors with a group of other people but I am a stingy caah. I'd have to feel that you had brilliant motivational skills to justify spending that much when I could just download a podcast.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

£5 per week? Aren't the C25k sessions really short to begin with?

It seems steep for something you could get for free, but there will always be a section of the population that tries to motivate themself by paying for someone else to do it for them iykwim. I don't know if that makes those people less likely to succeed, or more? There are those that them feel that as they have paid they should carry on.

I wouldn't pay specifically for this, but I have joined beginner running groups meeting once a week in the past (they were free...) and I have done C25k with a friend, and paid a lot more than that for gym classes.

I think you will find a market, but I def agree that you need to charge for the course upfront, as there will be the potential for a lot of drop-offs I think...

[aBrightNewDay]

In theory if you're only meeting them once a week you could start a new group every week on a different day

[steppemum]

I have done couch to 5k. I wouldn't have done the evening meeting and £5 because

1. I run while kids at school
   
2. I run rather than aerobics/zumba because it is free.
   

But that said, I had the encouragement of dh and the aim of going to parkrun with him when I got to 5 k.

I think that it is a good idea. Not sure that everyone would progress at the same rate. I stuck at week 2 or 3 for 2 weeks longer until finally I managed to do the next bit.

I would price it the same as a Zumba class in your area.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Yes I think it's a great idea. But would they be at different stages?

I started C25 in about February as a total novice, and now run the local parkrun every Saturday. But Im not keen on doing the other two runs I do during the week by myself.

So I'd say yes, at any stage, exercising with other people is much more motivating.

[RaspberrySwitchblade]

I wouldn't pay anything for a direct copy of the c25k programme

I know you'd be giving tips and tuition, but I can get that for free via a podcast

[fishtankbrain]

Thanks everyone - that's all really useful feedback. I agree that there are definitely some people that wouldn't pay for it because they can follow the programme for free themselves (I would have been one of them when i started running - once I finally got my arse in gear to start, I had enough motivation to carry on!), but I think there is a group that struggle with motivation for whom it might be a good thing.

For example - my trainer runs an online nutritional support programme, all the information for which is available for free online if you chose to look for it (and to be honest, it's not rocket science!), but she gets people signing up because it makes them accountable to someone and makes them part of a group all working towards the main aim. I think that can be quite powerful.

Totally take on board the issue of people progressing at different rates - would need to think about that.

Thanks again, all really helpful.

[PGTip]

All the C25K courses by me (currently 4 different groups) are free, and they're run by qualified staff.

[Blowninonabreeze]

I've just finished one of these.

I'd say there's definitely a market for them.

Our course was £39 for 8 weeks BUT we met twice a week with one homework run.

We had a Facebook messenger group for support and most people also used strava to log runs and monitor each other's progress.

Everyone on the course, myself included, had previously had a go at doing it themselves with the app, and failed. Some people need the group aspect for motivation and are prepared to pay for it.

I'm thrilled with my progress/outcome and how much I'm loving it