wk 8 of couch to 5k, doing it, but so, so slow!!!

[dandycandyjellybean]

Feel like I'm barely plodding. Am doing 5k race for life on June 19 and was aiming at 30 mins, but that ain't never gonna happen at this rate. next week will be doing 30 minute runs, is there anything I can do to get my fat ass going any faster?

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I've got no idea what I'm talking about really so feel free to ignore but my experience has been I've naturally got a bit faster as my fitness has improved. I've gone form 11 min miles to 10 min miles off road or less on the flat roads. Still a plodder but a bit faster.

As your body gets used to running for longer periods your stamina will improve. You can do speedwork but be careful of pushing yourself too hard as you'll just end up injured

Hopefully someone who knows what they are talking about will be along soon.

Speedwork is what you might look into and could come in the form of hill work or timed intervals, hell even fartleks should help. Failing which your fitness should improve gradually over time and therefore your pace, although short speed sessions are far more effective at getting fitter and faster in a short space of time - something to do with the way it works your heart. Browse Runner's World for some suggestions. Good luck!

Fartleks? Sounds like something I could manage...

I did couch potato and race for life last year and was literaly couch potato before. I managed it in 39 mins with my sister running with me bullying me
Do you knw anyone who can run 'properly to run with you?
I didn't run then until a few months ago and I am already 5 mins faster and the race isn't for another month, so it's just building stamina.

ive been running for a couple of months and honestly dont think im ever going to get faster. i find it all such hard going, 5k takes me a good 35 mins, and i feel like im going to die by the 20 min mark!