Started couch to 5k, my speed ok?

[Tickingbomb]

Hi so I'm using a treadmill as i am not confident enough outside. I am walking at 5k and running at 6.5. so it feels like a brisk walk and a light jog. Should I be running faster? Thank you

C25k is really just getting you used to running for longer periods, so if that speed feels ok to you then go with it. I’m on week 8 and am just focusing on completing the runs, I plan on improving my speed once I finish the programme!

It’s about doing whatever is best for you 💪

I'm also doing c25k, having never run before in my life. The app I'm using keeps saying it should be a light jog, so I think you're fine.

I don't know how for you are thin to it, but I did find I was able in the first 3 weeks ish to turn the treadmill up a tad for each of the 3 runs in a week, then back down to the slower speed for the first run of the next week, which worked quite well for me - maybe something you might like to try?

I'm now into the bit where the runs are different each time so I'm just keeping on with the slower speed. I figure I'll work on getting faster after I can run for half an hour! Which seems absolutely mad when 5 weeks ago I struggled with 90 seconds!

I do think with a treadmill it's quite good for someone like me that would absolutely stop or slow down if I didn't have to make a conscious decision to turn the speed down. It keeps me keeping on, which can only be a good thing. Be proud of yourself that you're doing it at all, and that you're keeping up your chosen speed for the whole session, it's really hard, it's a real achievement.

A light jog that you can keep up for the time block is what you need. If you've got more in you, that's nice, but the plan is about building stamina not speed.

C25k is not a PE lesson with a beatroot-faced person bellowing at you into exhaustion and belittling your efforts

It honestly doesn't matter how fast or slowly you go. I think trying to go faster early on is what probably makes lots of people give up. The goal initially is just to be able to do it, and for increasing periods of time. I started slowly, but had to get even slower because I got so beetroot-faced and out of breath and was coughing for ages afterwards. It was a long time before I really got any quicker at all. I ended up able to run half marathon distance and also do 5k under 30 minutes (respectable, but still slow by many people's standards!).

I completed C25K and also did a half marathon, but I never made it to 5K in under 30 minutes. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

As far as I was concerned, being able to run it at all was the important bit!

You're getting up, and you're doing it! If your speed is ok for you, it's ok.
What anybody else thinks, doesn't matter. Well done!

It's about running time, not speed. Keep it up!😃

I don't know what those times mean (5k per hour? Or if not, then what's the measurement?) but it doesn't matter anyway.

During c25k is just about getting to run for 30 minutes. Lots of people will be able to cover 5k in that time by the end, lots won't.

But only start worrying about speed once you can do a 30 minute run. You'll be surprised at how quickly it comes down (my 5k time has gone from around 35 mins to 20 mins since finishing).

The best speed is the one where you are slightly out of breath, and can sustain it. No-one elses opinion matters.

If you would like to eventually move to running outside try putting a 1 or 2% incline on it. That makes it a bit more like uneven terrain outside, so it’s an easier transition when you do it.

Your speed is your speed. C25K is just the beginning of your running journey and should be designed to spark a love for running not have you worried about your speed. I've been running regularly about 8 years now, have completed three marathons and loads of half marathons but I've never completed C25K. Sure I can run 5K but not fast and, as a distance, I hate it. I'd much rather run a slow 10 miles than a fast 5K. Almost all of my runs are run/walk rather than constant running. Its a hobby, I don't have to be good at it!