Running question

IliN82

I started running a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I didn't know what c25k was so just ran/walked when needed. 2 weeks later I can run most the time for 6k. Should I have done it with timed intervals instead? I have also been running every day and I see most program's are 3 times a week. Do I keep going or should I start a proper c25k program? Thanks!

amybg1

First of all congrats on getting started running - so much fun!!

Now then since you're up to 6K already I would see no point into getting into c25K seeing as it is primarily to get non or new runners into running form, walk breaks and all. So my suggestion would be to NOT increase distance for at least a week or two and run 3x/week and see how you feel as running every day...I have a few Paralympian friends who do track, they will have at the very least one day of rest and one day of say a pool workout and if they decide to run on other days it would be short - like a 20-30 minute run session.

Now tehre are some people who are crazy enough to run every day but if I were you I'd take it easy and se ehow things go, seeing as you're new to running i'd be more concerned with injuries cropping up. After say...2 weeks see how you feel and if you want increase distance but by no more than 10%/week. cross-training such as weights, or as mentioned a swim is a good change of pace and allows your body a rest to soem degree if you want to keep moving

IliN82

Thank you Amy! I do boot camp /weights 3x a week so I think I'll drop the running just on those days. 3x weights 3x running. Does that sound good?

amybg1

That sounds along the lines of what I'm doing which works well for me, I lift twice, run twice and swim or do some other thing on Wednesdays...Whatever floats my boat really and keep my weekends as off-days.

Seeing as you've only been running for a short while I'd focus on just "building a base" so consistency, hills, fartleks and what have you sort of workouts. If you're looking to do a race for your first one I wouldn't worry about pace too much and just focus on the experience.

MeanderingMammal

I started running a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I didn't know what c25k was so just ran/walked when needed. 2 weeks later I can run most the time for 6k. Should I have done it with timed intervals instead? I have also been running every day and I see most program's are 3 times a week. Do I keep going or should I start a proper c25k program? Thanks!

I would suggest that you insert some rest days, running is quite hard on he biomechanical system and if you're not giving time to repair then you end up increasing your injury risk.

Notwithstanding that you've made some good progress, there are no rules about using a C25K plan, although for some it's a mantra.

Just workon reducing your walk intervals now.

GillianMcK

If you're running 6k comfortably then there's probably not much point in going backwards to the C25K app, you could look at a C210K app and start from (probably) week 8 or 9 and use that to build up to 10k??

Or as someone else has already suggested fartlek/interval training you could use the C25K app for interval training instead, i.e. week 1 is normally run 60 secs, walk 90 secs, change that to increase your pace for 60 secs, then recover at an easy pace for 90 secs (I do remember trying this last year after doing a C210K app, thought I was going to stop breathing, apparently my body was impressed with me trying it out in sub zero temperatures and my lungs let me know fairly sharp)!!

Just keep enjoying it:)

SpleenThief

A lot of that is going to depend on your goals. C25K is VERY conservative. I didn't know about it either. The first time I ran I slogged as far as I could (about a half mile) then stopped and walked home. I ran further when I could, not quite as far when I wasn't able. I got to the 5k point much more quickly than the C25K plan. Would I have done better with a plan? Who knows? If you're running 6k or so now, you're doing fine.

It's way too early to run every day, that's pretty advanced. Try 3 days per week for at least three (five or so would be even better). If all of your runs are somewhat easy, add a 4th day but keep that run shorter to start, maybe 15-20 minutes.