Life after Couch to 5K

If you've taken on the challenge of the Couch to 5K (C25K) plan and completed it, well done!

You must be feeling a great sense of achievement, not to mention being fitter and healthier.

Now that C25K has got you into regular running, the challenge is to not lose this life-enhancing habit. One way of staying motivated beyond C25K is to find a new focus.

Keep on running

Running podcasts

Keep on running with the Couch to 5K+ podcast series, designed for C25K graduates. Each 5K+ podcast provides a structured run with running music and coaching to develop your running technique, speed and stamina.

Work on technique

How about fine-tuning your running style? Working on your running technique will help make your runs feel less tiring, reduce your risk of injury and ultimately be more enjoyable. Read our 10 tips on how to run correctly.

Join a running club

A running club is the perfect way to commit to running regularly. Most clubs have running groups for different levels, including beginners. Clubs are also a great way to find running partners to run with outside of club sessions.

Find a running group near you using Run Together.

Try parkrun

Parkrun organises free, weekly, timed 5K runs in open green spaces around the country and beyond. The runs take place every Saturday at 9am. Find a parkrun near you.

Read the parkrun experiences of Couch to 5K graduates Julia Dallyn, Aftab Sarwar and Lorraine Beavis.

Plan your next challenge

Why not sign up for a running event to stay motivated for your weekly runs? Setting yourself the challenge of taking part in a 5K or 10K run is one way to keep going.

A change of scenery

You could try a different environment – if you've been running in the streets, for example, try to find a green space, such as a park, to run in.

You could also try varying the terrain. Look for some hills in your local area and give yourself a bit of a challenge.

Try something new

Now you've tackled running, why not consider other activities?

You could try Strength and Flex – a five-week plan to improve your strength and flexibility, which can also benefit your running.

Check out the video workouts in the NHS Fitness Studio. Take your pick from our instructor-led classes in our aerobics, strength and resistance, pilates and yoga categories.

Finally, our fitness section is brimming with practical ideas to help you fit more activity into your day, such as our 10-minute workouts and gym-free routines.

Page last reviewed: Fri Sep 2017 Next review due: Tue Sep 2020