C25K or Zombies, Run! 5K

benefiting
benefiting Posts: 795 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have both apps already installed on my phone. I have done C25K and enjoyed the program but never finished it and now I'm thinking if I should stick with giving it another shot or checking our Zombie, Run! 5K since I have already paid for it. Thoughts?

Replies

  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    I really enjoyed the story aspect to Zombies. I started it last August when I decided to take up running. But by the end, I still couldn't run a full 20 minutes without having to stop and walk.

    I stopped running over the winter when the sidewalks froze over, and decided to try C25K instead to get back into it when it was safe to run again. I was able to do the week 5 20-minute run without stopping. Something about this program pushed me better and harder. And each session is usually just over 30 minutes, where as Zombies gets closer to 50-60 minutes. Easier to fit in before work.

    Though there's nothing like being out alone on a trail in the woods when your "radio" is yelling at you to get the heck out of there because you've got fast zombies incoming. That really got my heart pumping.
  • kathdela
    kathdela Posts: 148 Member
    I love Zombies 5k because of the story and all of that, however, JenSD6 is right. I'm having trouble running for very long and I'm on week 7. My friend who's on week 7 of their C25K app can already run much farther and faster than me. However, it does seem like the z5k is great if you're just starting out. It WILL get you to go 5k, though it may only be through running AND walking instead of just running. They also incorporate a lot of leg exercises to help strengthen the legs.
  • kellyship17
    kellyship17 Posts: 112 Member
    I am currently doing C25K, and I am halfway through it. I have never been successful running until now. I can run past the requirements for the workouts, I never feel out of breath, and I'm starting to learn how to find my pace and stick with it. With a couple of walking breaks, I'm up to running 2.6 miles. And I'm only halfway there! In my experience, going from hating running to looking forward to the days I run, C25K has been wonderful.
  • jhamptonsleboda
    jhamptonsleboda Posts: 23 Member
    I did week 1 of C25K then decided to do week 1 of Zombies, Run 5K training to compare the two. Zombies, Run! starts out a lot easier - only 15s sprints instead of 1min sprints (C25K)- so I can see why someone following C25K would be able to run longer/faster vs. someone using Zombies, Run! exclusively.

    However, Zombies, Run! has a 10min "free run" at the end. I tried "matching" the C25K 'schedule' (1 min sprints) during the Zombies, Run! 10 minute "free run" to make it a little more challenging/more beneficial, training-wise.

    Long story short, I do wish that the run-times were more similar to C25K, but I will continue using the Zombies, Run! 5k trainer because I like the story aspect :)

  • Timorous_Beastie
    Timorous_Beastie Posts: 595 Member
    It depends in individual preferences. I like the "free run" in the ZR5k plan. I've been running for several years, but I prefer tossing in walk intervals as/if needed rather than on a set time frame. The walk intervals in C25K are way longer than I need or want.
  • ptsmiles
    ptsmiles Posts: 511 Member
    I'm enjoying the ZR5k because of the shorter run sprints in the begining. I found C25k a little too challenging for me.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories