Question for C25K grads

ukhennin

So I'm in week 5 of c25k. I'll be doing day 3 tomorrow which is the first 20 minute run. My question is, have any of you grads felt so good about your running that you've skipped ahead? I have no running background and I'm literally starting from scratch with c25k, but I've notice the last handful of runs that I've been feeling really good and I just want to keep going. Maybe that will change now that I'm jumping up to the longer runs, but if those still don't feel challenging enough is it okay to skip ahead? Or should I just stick with the program?

thefreemans28

I started running with C25K in the winter and once I got to week 5, I decided I could take it from there. I loved it from the aspect that it gave me a starting point, but once I got to the point where I felt I could just run forever at a nice steady pace, I ditched the C25K app and got the Run Keeper app and have run with it since.

DancinSMartiPants

Enjoy the ride. If it has been fun so far, why skip any. I say do it as written.

jennyocox

I just stuck to the plan. When I tried to go ahead I was surprised to find I wasn't as able as I thought. I've never run before. Do whatever your body is comfortable with.

cheeksv

I am not a grad yet but I on week 5 day 2. I usually do each day for a full 6 days. In the beginning I skipped the first two weeks and after that when they seemed easy I just upped the speed. Not by much, I have gone steadily from walking at 4.5 to 5.0 and running from 5.0 to 5.5. Maybe you could do that. I personally at this point would not skip ahead. I know what you mean and I have though about it but it didn't seem like a good idea so close to the end.

kennie2

i got to about week 6 and started doing my own thing. it was a bad idea. i could hardly run without breaks and then gave up overall. i think its best to just stick to the plan

27strange

Listen to your body and do what you feel you can handle. The longer runs will wear you out more and put more pressure on your feet and leg muscles, but if you are doing them no problem then I would consider upping what you are doing or graduate yourself early to the One Hour Runner Program from C25k. Just don't over due it and either injure yourself or burn yourself out. Your body will tell you what it can handle.

mamagooskie

I've done C25K twice and I always just stuck to the program.

horseryder77

I got up to week 7 and just started doing the 30 minute runs because I knew I could. Then I downloaded the bridge to 10k app, and I've been doing that now on my way for training for a half in September! And I'm definitely not a runner either :-p
Do what you think is right, and what feels right. If you feel like it's too easy, skip ahead. If you're just keepin up with it and feeling good, then I'd just stick with it. Good luck! When you run your first race you're gonna love the feeling

ukhennin

I got up to week 7 and just started doing the 30 minute runs because I knew I could. Then I downloaded the bridge to 10k app, and I've been doing that now on my way for training for a half in September! And I'm definitely not a runner either :-p
Do what you think is right, and what feels right. If you feel like it's too easy, skip ahead. If you're just keepin up with it and feeling good, then I'd just stick with it. Good luck! When you run your first race you're gonna love the feeling

I think I might do something similar. I'll stick with it through week 6 and see how I'm feeling after that.

purpleprose

I think it depends on if you're running outside or on a treadmill.

If you're on the treadmill, I'd say stick with the program and make sure you're running at a 1.0 incline (this will simulate being outside) and up the speed a bit.

If you're outside and want to keep going, I'd still ease into it a bit. Do the 20 minute run, then the 25, then the 28 in one week instead of over 3. See what you're capable of! I needed extra time on the program to even get to 30 minutes, but I realize that not everyone is as out of shape as I was when I started.

dayglorious

I graduated C25K in May, ran my first 5K in June, and am now starting Week 4 of Bridge to 10K. Every time I "level up," I feel it, but then I sometimes feel like I'm phoning it in on D2 and D3. But I don't skip days, because they're all kinda important for building endurance and a good measure of how far I've come. Instead, I'll make it a little harder for myself: an extra .1-.2 mph faster on the treadmill, an extra 100-200 meters longer on the track, or a little bit past whatever landmark I previously used as a turnaround point if I'm on a road or trail. And sometimes I'll cheat a bit and tack on an extra couple minutes of running after a minute or two of cooldown, especially if my mileage is approaching a nice even number.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

I think i did thru week 6 "officially" and then i just took it over on my own.... Haven't had problems and did a 10-mile race in June (started C25K last October). I'm doing a half-marathon in late September, so i need to start doing long runs again to get ready for it... If you feel like you can "wing it" without the program, give it a try... you can always come back to it. There will be good running days and then there will be bad running days even as the months and years go on... listen to your body... try to push thru mental blocks but honor physical issues as (if) they arise!

Congrats on your progress, thus far, BTW!!!

missxlaur

i agree with what everyone's said about it working thus far, so stick with it. i think it's meant to help you continue to increase your overall stamina and fitness so i would say do the program. i'm on week 6 and it's great.

barbiex3

i don't believe in C25K. You don't need to use their program to run a 5K. You can do it your own way just fine. I never used the program, and I picked up running just fine dooo what YOU want to do

billsica

I tried to skip ahead, and it hurt. I went back and redid the week. the program helped me to pace myself.
Now I have had to go back and re-do weeks before. If you feel that you are not being challenged enough, you can try to increase your speed.

If you actually look at all the weeks, they do make sense, it gives you the breaks when you need it and gets you into the long runs for the end.