None to Run vs. Couch to 5K: Which Plan is Right for You?
By
Mark Kennedy
Founder of None to Run
March 19, 2024
Embarking on a running journey is a transformative experience. For beginners, selecting the right program is pivotal.
None to Run" (N2R) and Couch to 5K (C25K) serve as fundamental guides for beginners, yet their objectives diverge significantly.
N2R centers on encouraging runners to gradually build up to running continuously for 25 minutes, with a focus on enjoying the journey rather than covering a specific distance.
In contrast, C25K aims squarely at enabling participants to complete a 5K run within a 9-week period.
Here's an in-depth comparison, segmented to closely examine how each program unfolds over its duration.
Click image to enlarge.
Weeks 1-3: Laying the Groundwork
None to Run:
Week 1: Begins with 30 seconds of running followed by 2 minutes of walking, repeated 8 times.
Week 2: Progresses to 1 minute of running and 2 minutes of walking, repeated 7 times.
Week 3: Continues with 1 minute of running and 2 minutes of walking, now repeated 9 times.
From the onset, N2R emphasizes gradual increases in running intervals while incorporating substantial walking breaks to ensure recovery and minimize injury risks.
Week 1: Starts with 1 minute of running followed by 90 seconds of walking, for a total of 8 repetitions.
Week 2: Increases to 90 seconds of running and 2 minutes of walking.
Week 3: Introduces a mix of 90 seconds and 3 minutes running intervals, with walking breaks.
C25K quickly escalates the running intervals, pushing participants to tackle longer durations early in the program.
Weeks 4-7: Building Endurance
None to Run:
Week 4: Features 90 seconds of running followed by 2 minutes of walking, repeated 7 times.
Weeks 5-6: Each week maintains a 90-second run but decreases walking to 1 minute, repeated 10 times.
Week 7: Increases running to 2 minutes with 30 seconds of walking, repeated 10 times.
N2R introduces strength training sessions to complement the running, aiming to build a solid foundation for injury prevention.
Couch to 5K:
Week 4: Consists of running for 3 and 5 minutes, breaking them with 90 seconds and 2.5 minutes of walking.
Week 5: Varies daily, culminating in a continuous 20-minute run without walking breaks.
Week 6: Returns to intervals before concluding with a 25-minute uninterrupted run.
Week 7: Participants run for 25 minutes continuously.
C25K's structure here is designed to rapidly build participants' endurance, testing their limits with longer continuous runs.
Weeks 8-9: Nearing the Finish Line
None to Run:
Week 8: The program sticks to 2 minutes of running followed by 30 seconds of walking, repeated 10 times, continuing to build endurance.
Week 9: Steps up with 5 minutes of running followed by 2 minutes of walking, repeated 4 times, marking a significant increase in continuous running time.
N2R uses these weeks to further bolster the runner's stamina, carefully extending the length of run intervals to prepare for longer stretches of continuous running.
Couch to 5K (end of plan):
Week 8: Moves to a 28-minute continuous run.
Week 9: Concludes with participants running for 30 minutes, aiming to hit the 5K mark.
C25K's final weeks are focused on solidifying the endurance to run continuously, pushing for the 5K goal.
Weeks 10-12: None to Run's Final Stretch
Week 10: Shifts to a significant milestone with a 20-minute continuous run.
Week 11: Slightly increases the challenge to a 22-minute run.
Week 12: Culminates the program with a 25-minute continuous run, solidifying the runner's ability to tackle longer distances without stopping.
N2R's closing weeks are crafted to ensure a comfortable and confident transition to running 25 minutes straight, backed by consistent strength training.
Conclusion
None to Run is ideal for those who prefer a measured, incremental approach, incorporating strength training to enhance fitness and reduce injury risk. It's perfect for individuals who appreciate or need a gentler introduction to running.
Couch to 5K offers a faster-paced progression designed to quickly build up endurance, suited for beginners eager to reach their 5K goal more rapidly and who may already have a moderate fitness base.
Both programs have their merits, and the choice ultimately depends on personal preference, fitness level, and goals. Whether you choose N2R or C25K, you're on the path to a healthier, more active lifestyle. Here's to your success and the many runs to come!
In order to become a runner, you don't need much in order to become successful: a plan, an encouraging community and consistency. With N2R, you can have them all.
4.8 out of 5 Stars
5,000 + Ratings in the Apple App Store
Works Around your Schedule
Time is hard to come by. Kids, work, and other commitments can get in the way. You need a plan that's easy to follow and can work around you, not the other way around.
Break down the lies you tell yourself
You look "weird" when you run. You’re “not” a runner. You’re too “slow” or too "Old." We're here to tell you right here, right now, that you’re wrong. You only *think* these things because it's new and you feel uncomfortable. That'll change with consistency and time. You are a runner!
Exercise Smarter, not harder
It may have been hard previously, but it doesn't have to be – now, you'll be given the tools and the knowledge to succeed. We’re doing things differently in order to see different results.
N2R Eases you in
Running when you aren't ready or without the proper training can hurt, leaving you with nagging injuries that never seem to clear up. We ease you in, giving you the strength and conditioning you need to make sure your running doesn't come with pain.
.png)
