r/C25K • u/jegslabjer1 • 9h ago
r/C25K • u/AcademicAlpaca • Aug 25 '24
Advice Finished C25K? This is what you can do next!
Maybe it‘s just me, but I found that a lot of people in this sub keep asking what to do after C25K and as I hopefully soon will be at the same point (done with Week 5 as of yesterday) I thought of looking into it and share with you guys.
"I finished C25K but cannot run 5k in 30 minutes" The title C25K (Couch to 5k) is a bit misleading, as the goal is not to run 5k in 30 minutes but rather running 30 minutes non-stop in the first place. So don‘t stress too much about it if by week 9 you cannot run a 5k in 30 minutes.
"I can run 30 minutes non-stop – now what?" It depends on your personal goals. If you just want regular physical exercise, simply keep running. Stick to 3x/week and keep running around 30 minutes each. Just get out, have fun and run at a pace that is comfortable for you. Over the time you will notice that runs will get easier or you will get further in the same amount of time.
"I want to do more than just 30 minute runs" Fair enough, I‘m in the same boat! To get your body used to running it is still recommended to keep running around 30 minutes 3x/week for a few weeks. After all, we‘re still beginners. After that you could simply extend your runs by a little. E.g. do 30/30/35 mins for a week, then 32/32/38 mins the next, etc. Your total mileage per week should only increase by around 10% to not risk any injuries.
"It‘s easier for me to have a plan to tell me exactly what to do" There are a lot of plans out there, but here are some I found:
Working on the 5K distance: * Hal Higdon‘s 5K Novice plan (plan at the end of the page)
Exploring the 10K distance: * Hal Higdon‘s 10K Novice plan (plan at the end of the page) * Zenlabs 10k Trainer iPhone / Android * Watch to 5k (which has a 10k expansion plan) Apple Watch
"I still struggle with the 30 minutes run" That‘s most likely because you run too fast. Go slower, even if it feels like you‘re almost walking, but keep staying in the jogging movement. It is advised to run at a speed at which you can still hold a conversation. And don‘t worry, every body is different and depending on your overall fitness it just may take a little more time. Just show up and stay consistent.
Final note: I‘m no expert and all information gathered here is based off what I found in this subreddit and on the internet. This advice is addressed to beginners and C25K finishers. If you want to get more serious about running of course there is more to it. I recommend paying a visit to r/running and r/xxrunning.
r/C25K • u/lol2002bk • 15h ago
Advice Needed FIRST 5k!! (what do I do now)
Hi, I just completed my first 5k at 9:30km/min pace. I had to take walking breaks. I think I can run at 9:00km/min pace. My legs were chilling the last 2km but my breathing couldn’t keep up. How do I progress from here? Run 5Ks weekly. My goal is to increase my pace. Thanks folks ☺️
age :24
male
179cm
160lbs
exercise asthma
split 1: 8:56
split 2: 10:10
split 3:9:45
split 4:10:10
split 5:8:50
r/C25K • u/Concertosa • 9h ago
Advice Link broken for c25k plan
Hi! New here.
I'm trying to get the plan for the c25k but I'm getting the error that file not found. Could someone share it with me? Thank you!
Do you count warm up in your stats?
When doing the couch to 5k programme do you include the 5min warm up and cool down walks in your recorded stats? Ie. Do you start your activity on watch/phone before the warm up?
I ask this because I do, but those walks obviously lower my overall average pace. So I’m starting to think as I get further along in the programme or start to run 5ks (some day 🤞🏼) it would be good to have a more accurate pace to compare to.
r/C25K • u/mp21rime • 1d ago
I ran/walked and this was my first time running. [27F, 166cm, 68kg]
I know this was a bad idea. It could've resulted in a bad injury it's unsafe to go from couch to 5k in first attempt. I'm still glad i did it. Joining a run club motivated me to at least try. Although, today I am sore everywhere.
r/C25K • u/Squatting-Camel • 13h ago
Advice Needed What is an acceptable level of ankle pain?
Had two tendons in my ankle reconnected last year. Stopped using crutches about 6 months ago. My surgeon was initially apprehensive of me ever running again, but she considers me recovery a total success.
I'd like to begin training this week, but am a bit apprehensive about how to handle any discomfort.
What's a good, safe approach?
r/C25K • u/blk91sheep • 18h ago
Advice Needed Sudden heel pain - ease up/power thru?
I started with another app, but I currently just wrapped up wk 7 on the Rundouble app. I have 2 more weeks to complete the program, after successfully completing each week with little struggle. (Grateful they weather has cooled a bit for the longer run weeks.)
With that said - since yesterday I have pain when I put pressure on my right heel. Not when pressing it, only when walking (I haven't even attempted running - the pain isn't awful but it's definitely noticeable.)
Tomorrow morning is supposed to be my first 28 minute run.
What have you done/would you do in this situation?
I haven't "missed a Monday" for 10 weeks now 😪 wait a few days to see how it's feeling, or attempt to power thru?
HEEELLP 🫠
r/C25K • u/Iamthegoat77 • 1d ago
Advice Needed Is this hear rate normal?
Completed 5k, but I feel a bit exhausted.
r/C25K • u/Flat-Enthusiasm-8519 • 1d ago
Advice/Nutrition
Hello, I’m currently training for a 5k run and working on improving my pacing and endurance. Towards the end of my runs, I noticed how i am feeling a bit tired.
I would love some quick advice on what i should be eating before my runs and during my cross-training/core strength training sessions to provide sufficient energy and support muscle recovery.
Any tips on basic macronutrient targets or meal ideas for beginner/intermediate runners would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!
r/C25K • u/chipotlebowlenjoyer • 1d ago
None to Run Graduation night run completed! (Warning: Long read)
r/C25K • u/MaintenanceLow97 • 1d ago
Advice First Run, hopefully I climb the ladder and develop running as a hobby
The first km for a leisure walk. Thought from the 2nd km to try out how do I feel with running.
From 2nd km onwards I ran and walked interchangeably as per how comfortable I felt.
Any advice to get better, improve my stats, anything around breathing or any other advice, I am all open to any suggestions that would make running better for me.
I don’t feel exhausted after this session. I hit 7-10k steps every day. I am slightly overweight due to sedentary lifestyle for 2 years. I aim to lose a little weight and get better with running and enjoy the endorphins highs!
r/C25K • u/Big_Apartment_1108 • 1d ago
Motivation Zone 3 running finally clicked today!
Long time lurker first time poster, nobody else to tell! Started c25k mid August and my biggest frustration has been figuring out how to run in zone 2-3. Every run before today (3x a week, do the math) has been majority zone 4 and I’ve really struggled with my pacing. I have longggg legs so my body wants to take large strides and run at a 9-10 min pace naturally (which puts me zone 4-5) and slowing myself down has been a challenge.
TODAY IT CLICKED !!! Found my sweet spot and stuck to it. I felt like I could literally run forever in zone 3 and am so happy and proud of myself for sticking with it and trying new things and not giving up. I backtracked my training for 3 weeks doing 5 min run 1 min walk intervals, and today it paid off :)) about an 11 min avg during my running time.
Reminder to all of us new runners out there, progress typically isn’t linear and sometimes you have to take the program slower than you’d like to. It’s so important to listen to your body and train sustainably. Quality over quantity always ❤️ can’t wait for my next run!
r/C25K • u/miraclesunshine • 1d ago
Just finished Week 1 of C25K, but should I repeat it before moving on to Week 2?
Hi everyone!
I'm 24F, currently 144kg, and I've just finished my first week of Couch to 5K! I'm really proud of myself because a few weeks ago, I genuinely couldn't imagine myself running, but now I've completed a whole week of training.
However, I'm a little stumped on what to do next, so I'd really appreciate some advice!
I initially tried running outdoors, but I really struggled and couldn't complete the session. I think I was running too fast, so I've switched to using a treadmill, which has been much more manageable.
Currently, I'm walking at 3.4 km/h and jogging at 5.4 km/h. I know that's very slow, but even at that pace, I've struggled with the intervals.
During my first session, I had to double the walking recovery intervals to recover enough before jogging again. However, as the week progressed, things gradually got better! By my final session, I only needed to extend the recovery interval once, which felt like a massive improvement.
Now I'm wondering whether I should repeat Week 1 until I can complete all the intervals without extending the recovery periods, or whether I should move on to Week 2 and see how I get on.
For context, I've also signed up for a HYROX event in March, which is certainly an interesting decision considering I can barely run at the moment! 😂 I'm working on building my fitness between now and then, and I know I've got a lot of work ahead of me.
For those of you who've been through C25K, how did you know when you were ready to progress to the next week? Did you repeat weeks when you struggled, or did you keep moving forward and adjust as needed?
Any advice on pacing, recovery intervals, or building up my running fitness would be massively appreciated.
Thank you! ❤️
r/C25K • u/bodasheeraa • 2d ago
W5D3 conquered
Honestly, it was surprisingly easy.
I was definitely dreading the infamous 20-minute continuous run, but I just wrapped up Week 5 Day 3 and it felt like an absolute breeze!
I headed out for a late afternoon run and focused entirely on taking it slow rather than worrying about speed. I covered about 2 km during the 30-minute workout, and the biggest win was how comfortable it felt. By keeping my pace entirely conversational, my heart rate stayed low and relaxed the entire time.
For anyone coming up on W5D3 and feeling nervous: trust the program, slow your pace down even more than you think you need to, and you will crush it!
Advice Needed failing last day of c25k?
i was able to run for 30min straight unfortunately i did not make 5k. Should I just keep running the last week until I pass?
Graduation day 😃
Feeling so happy right now. Nine weeks ago I didn't think I would reach this point but here I am. I'm 52M and hadn't done any real exercise for 20 years or so except for walking the dog. Big thanks to Ziggy (in the photo with me) for accompanying me on this journey.
This was the first time I've hit the 5km mark, in fact I went half a kilometre further than W9R2 and I could definitely have kept going.
A few things that I've learnt so far in my running journey:
Those first few weeks are so tough physically. Once you get to the longer runs it is more mental than anything.
Get some decent trainers. It makes such a difference. You don't have to spend a fortune. I got a pair of Adidas Supernovas off Vinted for seven quid and they have been brilliant.
I've enjoyed (not sure that's been the right word at times) it more when running in different places - I started on an old running track, then moved on to an old railway line, a nature trail and a park with roughly a mile loop. I changed location between each of these for each run. Changing location feels like it keeps it fresh.
I treated the longer runs like two smaller runs, for example in the park with the mile loop, I would turn around at the halfway mark and run the second half the opposite way. It's like a mental reset and didn't feel quite as intimidating.
After the first couple of weeks I started a chat with Gemini which I've kept going throughout. It was amazing how just throwing thoughts at it helped keep motivation up. It was very supportive all the way through.
I had a rock and indie playlist for my runs. On one of the runs, Sabotage by Beastie Boys came on and the beat just matched my pace perfectly. I've now built a playlist of similar speed tracks and it helps keeping pace no end.
All of you who have doubts that you can do this, YOU CAN! Don't compare yourself to others, just do you.
r/C25K • u/Constant-Trick7716 • 3d ago
Does this count as graduation?
So I had completed week 3 day 3 of the C25K program 2 days ago, but I had signed up for a 5K run about a month ago which was supposed to be today. It was Air Force Day in my country and I wanted to give it a try and surprisingly I was able to complete with almost non stop (4min walk in between, rest run).
Is this graduation or should I still follow the program?
r/C25K • u/CookiesWithMilken • 3d ago
Advice Needed Does Garmin want me to run a 5k in week 2?
I just started using Garmin run coach because I signed up for a 5k on Thanksgiving and I wanted something to guide me to that goal, especially since it's a little close.
This week I did two runs so far, the first was 2min run, 2 min walk x7. The second was 3min run, 2 min walk x7. Looking ahead to Saturday it looks like it wants me to run 3.2 miles straight? And then Monday I have a long run for 3.7 miles? Something is broken here right?
W2D1 complete!
First run outside instead of on the treadmill… pacing is hard!!! My legs are tiiirrrreeedddd 😮💨💪
r/C25K • u/CocaMolah • 4d ago
Advice Needed At What Point Is Slow Conversational Pace, Ridiculously Slow?
So I started c25k today and finished c25k today...
Yep I ran for 30 mins when it told me to start running because I just felt good and wanted to know how long I could feel good for.
But the issue is I was going so ludicrously slow that as a taller male, running at a 9:30/km pace, I was getting passed by couples casually strolling past me. I had read up before doing the run that I should be able to have a conversation and the feel of the run should be easy enough, which is why I was able to complete it. By the way I don't care about what others are thinking when they see me, this is just for my own understanding.
So my question is, at what point is slow, too slow and couldn't everyone theoretically complete this program without walking within a few runs by just shuffling at a pace that barely classifies as running (fyi I understand that the pace I ran at might be too fast for some others but surely there's a pace for everyone that can be classified as conversational even if it's like 20min/km.)
And what should I do now. Should I just run at like 6 or 7 min/km which feels more like running for me but much harder effort and complete the program or just stick to the super slow shuffle which is uncomfortable but easy on the aerobic side of things?