O, if you feel it's a jump in mileage to switch over, then don't feel you have to. You don't want to increase your mileage more than 10% per week or you risk injury. You will get to 5K in time. I stayed on time the whole time and I have no regrets about doing it that way. I'm almost a month finished C25K; I don't run 5K in 30 minutes, but I'm improving. I'm building endurance by running on time. I think as a new runner, putting in the time is helpful too. I ran 43 minutes the other day and felt great!

I'm curious about this. If I were to switch to distance from time, it would be a much bigger jump in mileage. For example, during week 7 I was running 2.1 miles roughly in 25 minutes (@ 5mph). Adding 3 minutes for week 8, I'd be going up a reasonable 10% to 2.3 miles. BUT if I switched to distance, I'd be doing 2.75 miles or a 30% increase Also from running 25 minutes to 33 minutes (instead of 28). Do people switching from time to distance have issues with the big jump? Do you repeat a week to compensate or anything?

It's more personal than anything...I'm not saying everyone does it, but I know that more runners I speak to talk about distance more than time, and are focused as such. Doesn't mean that time isn't as effective, but mileage can help you in (a more concrete) term of training for an actual race. I wouldn't actually tell you to switch right now. You do one or the other, and the disparity right there is too much to be quite honest. Keep doing what you're doing...you're just fine! Once I finish C25K in about a week, I'm probably going to do a "recovery" week of 1.75 miles and crank it up .2 miles ever week thereafter.

I'm curious about this. If I were to switch to distance from time, it would be a much bigger jump in mileage. For example, during week 7 I was running 2.1 miles roughly in 25 minutes (@ 5mph). Adding 3 minutes for week 8, I'd be going up a reasonable 10% to 2.3 miles. BUT if I switched to distance, I'd be doing 2.75 miles or a 30% increase Also from running 25 minutes to 33 minutes (instead of 28). Do people switching from time to distance have issues with the big jump? Do you repeat a week to compensate or anything?

I think the key issue is that you continue to run at a comfortable pace. The 10% per week rule of thumb is just that. It doesn't apply very well at either low or high miles. Keep in mind that once you have established your base (end of C25K or OHR or what have you) you should not continue to add 10% every single week.

I ran 43 minutes the other day and felt great!

And here I am stressin over the 3 minute runs for Week 3! I can not wait to be able to run 30 minutes but *whew*, I have a long way to go! I love seeing these comments because it gives me something to look forward too and motivates me!

I've just made an executive decision ! I've decided to repeat Week 2, for a couple of reasons. First, I am leaving for vacation tomorrow and I don't think vacation is the time to introduce a new challenge to my life. I am frankly not sure I'm ready for that 3 minute run, and I don't want to be consumed with it during vacation. Also, I've read that if you don't feel like you can do more on Day 3 of a given week, then repeat the week. Although I busted it out last night, I feel like I was JUST getting comfortable with the 90 second intervals. The whole week was much tougher than the first, and with the timing of my vacation, it's just not a good time to move on yet. I'd rather 'practice' and do what I know I can do while on vacation! I hope I'm doing the right thing! Anyway....just wanted to say not to change my chart to week 3 yet Ernsberger ~ Great great job on the weight loss! 28 pounds in what, 3 months? You are a rock star! That is very inspiring for me to hear. I've done this weight loss trip before, but this time is different because of the exercise commitment and I'm certain this will be the last time I have to drop this weight! Also, what 5K are you doing ? I'm hoping to be ready for one on October 19th, that would be my 'run a 5K without dying' goal like yours. But my 'run a 5K in 30 miuntes' goal will be the Turkey Trot in Avon.

OHR W8D3 This was the long run of the week - 49 minutes - and so I made sure I ran at a nice comfortable pace. I don't actually know what that pace is until I'm done because I'm trying to learn how to listen to my body. I thought it would be somewhere in the 11 m/m range because I felt GREAT during the run. I was very surprised to see that my pace was actually around 10:20/mile. Another huge factor was the lack of humidity. It was a perfect morning to run.

And here I am stressin over the 3 minute runs for Week 3! I can not wait to be able to run 30 minutes but *whew*, I have a long way to go! I love seeing these comments because it gives me something to look forward too and motivates me!

Cyndi, if you go into my log into workouts, you can look at my comments/notes on my runs in week 2. I struggled in the beginning too. C25K will get you there; just try to be patient.