What's after Beginner Running Program 1?

by Kim
(Baltimore, MD, USA)

Hi! I'm currently working on your beginner program 1, and I'd like to work my way up to 30 minutes. After I complete program 1, do I move on to week 1 of program 2, or could I jump ahead (say to week 9 or 10 of program 3)?

Answer by Dominique:

Hi Kim,
Thanks for your beginner running program question.
Well done on getting started with running!

I wouldn't recommend that you'd get back to Day 1, Week 1 of the next running program. That wouldn't be necessary.

If you want to get to 30 minutes of non-stop running, then the best thing you can do is try to start somewhere mid-way in Beginner Running Program 3.

Have a look at Beginner Running Program 3. I would probably pick week 4, which sees you starting off with quite a bit more walking and a little less running than you would be doing in week 7 and week 8 of Beginner Running Program 1, so it would offer a nice transition.

You could maybe be a bit more aggressive and start off at a later week of Program no. 3, but I am all for the better safe than sorry-approach to running. I'd rather see you take one step back, to take two steps forward than hurry along to get to 30 minutes non-stop as quickly as possible with the risk of injuring yourself.

Hope this helps.
Best of luck with your running. It would be great if you'd build up to 30 minutes of non-stop running. Go for it!
Cheers,
Dominique