What's the next step & when?

[sweetpee_1993]

As mentioned in another post, I'm at the beginning of the final week of the 'Ease into 5k' app. I'm only a couple minutes shy of the 30 minute goal. I haven't given much thought to what the next step is once I reach the end of this program. I imagine I'll hang at the 30 minutes for a bit to improve my speed and comfort level. When is it time to move onto something more? Is the next step going to be a 10-mile or 10k program? Not entirely sure how this goes once I finish the app. I'm still amazed I've gotten to the end....

 

[Monorail Lime]

Congratulations on completing the program! I'm at the same place you are, having just recently wrapped up the Couch to 5k program.

My personal ambition is to train for the 2013 WDW Marathon by following Jeff Galloway's training program when it picks up in June. In the mean time, I will maintain at the 30 minute 3 times per week level (which is where the Galloway plan begins) while trying to pick up my speed and get a few 5k runs under my belt.

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/ewwos/pdf/rundisney/Galloway/WDWMARATHONbeg.pdf - This is last year's plan, but I suppose one could pick it up anytime if not preparing a specific race. Since it's a gradual progression plan, it could be a good way to "keep going" while you decide what to do next. :wave:

 

[dreamfinder]

Next step really depends on what you are trying to do. You can work on bettering your 5k time, or you can shift to longer distances. Pick another goal. Be it hitting that 30 min pace, or shooting for a 10k. Faster pace typically means working in more speed work, while longer distance usually means just slowing adding distance, the same way you did to get to the 5k. The important thing is to keep up the good work.

 

[JillC LI]

Next step really depends on what you are trying to do. You can work on bettering your 5k time, or you can shift to longer distances. Pick another goal. Be it hitting that 30 min pace, or shooting for a 10k. Faster pace typically means working in more speed work, while longer distance usually means just slowing adding distance, the same way you did to get to the 5k. The important thing is to keep up the good work.

^^^^ What he said. You have a pick a goal that feels right to you. I would suggest that you not go for speed as a still-new runner. Maybe try to bring one of your weekly runs up to 3.5 miles and eventually 4 or 5 miles. It's interesting to see how when you start to run further occasionally, your shorter runs seem so much easier. You need not have a race in mind - you could just try to get stronger as you stick with something healthy and (hopefully) fun.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks, y'all. I appreciate ya. I guess I'll start thinking about what I want to do with myself after finishing the app. My goal to this point was simply to stick with it, not quit, and follow the schedule without giving myself excuses to stop. I think short-term I want to be able to finish a straight 30 minutes of running and still feel strong at the end. While I'm working on that I'll figure out what my next goal will be. :wave:

 

[Kristia]

I agree with what everyone else said. Decide what you want your next goal to be. I started the Couch to 5k program with the Disney Marathon as the final goal. After I finished that program, I started a marathon program which required that you be able to run 30 min at a time. It seemed once I got a 5k race under my belt I was hooked. Its all up to you girl! Remember that you are only competing with yourself! There is no way I could ever hope to win a race so I just concentrate on bettering myself and my times. Now we are training for the Goofy in 2013!

 

[lukacseven]

As mentioned in another post, I'm at the beginning of the final week of the 'Ease into 5k' app. I'm only a couple minutes shy of the 30 minute goal. I haven't given much thought to what the next step is once I reach the end of this program. I imagine I'll hang at the 30 minutes for a bit to improve my speed and comfort level. When is it time to move onto something more? Is the next step going to be a 10-mile or 10k program? Not entirely sure how this goes once I finish the app. I'm still amazed I've gotten to the end....

Have you done any races or are you only doing the training program? It doesn't seem like you're lacking motivation, but as an end goal to each step of the program, maybe see if there is a local 5K you can run. Do you have an ultimate goal, such as doing a Disney race?