Not quick enough?!

[april]

Hi

I have been using this app and have loved every minute of it and have improved so much.
I am now on week seven so running for 25 minutes without stopping. I am able to do this and I do go quite slow but I do not walk.

However I have just looked on the internet at my route and it is telling me that the distance I have run in this time is only about 2.5k.

Obviously I am gutted that I am meant to be coveriing twice this distance!! Can I really be going THAT slow?!

This has totally knocked my confidence, maybe I can get another app that will tell me how much distance I am covering? Could this run the same time as 'get running'?

[KeepTrying]

Hi April. Perhaps you are - perhapsy you aren't runnign for more km than you thought. But the point is you are running for 25 mins without stopping!!. Imagine even contemplating that a couple of months ago. What counts is the duration and your endurance. And clearly you have done superbly with that. Even if you distance is not what you are hoping - just stick with it. I don't know what the originators of the C25K programme would say - but I bet your bottom dollar that they would say theta the 5k thing is just a guide. It is the 30mins which really matters. Once you are comfortable with your 30 mins- you could - if you wish - start working on increasing your pace. But at the moment just listen to your body, and your natural pace and cadence. This journey isn't about winning races - it is about achieving something for yourself. Sounds as if you have already managed that!

RunKeeper is a GPS tracking app which you can have open along-side GetRunning. It will plat your route if you use a GPS device such as iPhone. Endomondo is another example (and Endomondo is free! )
Cheers
Mike

[YikesMn]

April - I'm running at about the same pace that you are. Also like you, I am running, not just walking fast. I have a few friends who have done the program, and they gave me the same advice that Mike posted - keep working on endurance, and worry about pace later. Seriously, did you think 6 weeks ago that you'd ever be able to run for thirty minutes? It's quite an accomplishment. Good luck.

[YikesMn]

Btw-I use RunKeeper along with GetRunning. I appear to be at 11.1-11.4 minutes per kilometer. Do you know what you pace you're at Alice?

[april]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies. I tried to use run-keeper today but where I live and run is quite rural and I could not get a GPS signal and it would not work!

I have taken your advise and tried to concentrate on my stamina rather than the distance I am covering. I started running to improve my fitness and to see if I would enjoy it, I don't think I will enter into any races, It is more of a hobby for me and so I am not going to let the distance get me down.

After ten years of smoking I gave up when I started this programme and so I expect my lung capacity has suffered because of this too. I have gone more than 7 weeks now without a cigarette and have noticed an improvement so it can only get better!!

[KeepTrying]

...I started running to improve my fitness and to see if I would enjoy it, I don't think I will enter into any races, It is more of a hobby for me and so I am not going to let the distance get me down.

Absolutely! I can't imagine doing a race in order to win. For me the joy has been in finding some fitness that I thought had long-since vanished down the back of the sofa! Maybe I'll do a 'race' one day - but just for the fun of it ('cos everyone who I know who has done one says they loved it) - but not to compete.

...After ten years of smoking I gave up when I started this programme and so I expect my lung capacity has suffered because of this too. I have gone more than 7 weeks now without a cigarette and have noticed an improvement so it can only get better!!

Fantastic - well done you! What an achievement. Bes tthing you could have done for yourself. Now - not only will you get so much more heallthy - but you will have money to spend on some nice running goodies to spoil yourself!

Mike