First 5k

I ran my first 5k about a month after finishing C25k. I was about 30 lbs overweight at that point. I ran the whole way and finished with a time of 39:42. Three years later I did C25k again while losing weight. My race time (30lbs lighter) was 33:XX. I actually did two races with that time that summer. I had brief walking intervals during both of those races.

Between repeating a few days and not running all three days every week, it took me three months to finish C25k. I finished on a Tuesday and ran my 5K that Saturday. I ran the whole thing with a time of 33:38. I'm planning another 5k in March, and my goal for that one is under 30 minutes.

ETA: If you're running C25k on a treadmill, I suggest running outside at least once before your 5k. This is just speaking from personal experience, but it feels a lot different to run outside rather than on a treadmill, and I think a treadmill is easier than pavement.

I second running outside before any 5k. Treadmills are easier in the sense that you do not have the resistance of the elements and you have no need to project yourself forward because the treadmill belt moves the ground for you. When I first started running, I could run 1.5mi on the treadmill easily, but struggled with even .5mi outside.

With that being said, my first 5k last year was I believe 38:12 or something with running only twice a week for about two months, so no real dedicated training. I ran with my elementary students so we walked about two or three times for a minute or so. I went on to run a half marathon six months later.

I started with C25K, rehabbing after a bike accident, while I was feeling nervy about cycling, and trying to regain fitness. I've never treadmilled.

My first race was a sprint triathlon - London. So my first timed 5k was at the end of a 750m swim and a 21km bike. The run was actually 5.2km, and I did it in 31:37, and didn't walk. I'm not really a runner, more of a cyclist who jogs a bit.

I've done two 10ks, and not quite broken the hour yet, though they were hilly trail races. It might be a secondary goal next year - 10k in under an hour - but I need to consider whether I care enough about that time goal to do road rather than trail, which I prefer.

I'm not a natural, and don't have any illusions that I will ever be fast or efficient. I don't really think I want to do maras and halfs. But running fits into my lifestyle pretty well, and has not yet given me any injuries. Having goals like races will help me to remain interested, I think.

I love running outside vs the treadmill. I feel you build up a lot more endurance. If you need to run on a treadmill for like rainy day reasons or snowy day reasons, increase the incline to make it mimic a little more to running on the actual floor.
I used to run a lot! I could do 7 miles easy but now I'm fat again, lol! It took me, if I can remember correctly, about 2 months to get to a 5k normally. Just increase little by little and what I did was when it was that last little bit when you're almost done, when you are so tired you feel sick and are pep talking yourself, try your best to sprint. Sprint those last 30-60ft home.

It took me 10 weeks from starting C25K (Zen Labs app) to running my first 5K without stopping.

I did it in 37:20, at my local parkrun.