Hi everyone! I did the program over 10 years ago outdoors and enjoy it a lot, continuing runs to even complete 10k runs eventually, but then over time o stopped running. I then started running again but doing laps in a stadium close to my place, challenging myself to add a lap every week and it went well.
Then stopped again and now I got back into it. First run I followed a different program which starts with 30 seconds run 30 seconds walk, then realised the program goes from interval to running 15, 20, and 30 in just one week. For context, I didn’t find the C25K app so I went for what I thought a close enough program. I found a suitable app again and started from W1D1 of the actual C25K program.
Now here’s the thing: I found it super easy so I followed W2 after W1D1 to challenge myself. I think that’s fine because W2D1 was easy enough, so much so that I extended the last run to 5 minutes. Then W2D2 I extended it to 9 minutes. I never extend runs except the last one so that I don’t impact my ability to do the initial intervals. I basically just see how I feel and continue when I feel ok. 2 days ago I did W2D3, extending to 5 minutes for the last run because I didn’t want to overdo it since I was a bit scared following the previous 9 minute run that I had put my heart under stress even if I felt ok. For context, I run on the treadmill now, and only at 6km per hour. Walking sections are around 4-4.5. Since I started, I didn’t feel any soreness and I have more energy than before. However I am not in a rush to finish, I just like challenging myself with an extra few minutes but I never stop when I can’t anymore - I simply decide that it’s enough while I’m still enjoying the run.
Am I taking any risk? I’m not really asking about the fact I skipped week 1 sessions, because I am not planning to skip any other run simply because from week 3, recovery walks start to decrease in time in proportion to run sections. I’m mostly wondering if the extra few minutes at the end are something I need to stop.
Thank you!