Not any faster: Have been running 3 times a... - Bridge to 10K

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Not any faster

Mcdon profile image
16 Replies

Have been running 3 times a week since I graduated in March now doing a 5k, 8k and a 10k a week the heat has been a killer. Today was much cooler almost pleasant to run in with shorts and vest on yet I’m 5 minutes slower than my best time back in April. I’m trying not to get too demoralised about it but thought I would be faster by now 😂

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Mcdon profile image
Mcdon
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16 Replies
pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10

I think you can fall into a comfortable pace and without making the effort to run faster you won't ever get faster. You may well be fitter and better equipped to run faster but you have developed a single gear, maybe you even run 5,8 and 10k at the same pace per km. This is not unusual, but if you want to be faster you have to go through the motions and act to improve your pace through sprints, intervals, hill sprints, fartleks and strides etc.

Mcdon profile image
Mcdon in reply topinkaardvark

Yip you are right my pace is constant and comfortable. Maybe need to push more

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toMcdon

Yep you probably need to try harder. If you can run a 6min km for 10km then you should be able to run a 5:30min km for 5km, I you develop the faster pace over the shorter distance in time you will find your longer distance time will come down too.

in reply topinkaardvark

So, I'm reading this and thinking "Oh, yeah, I do this naturally but I might try and be more consistent and check the gap!". Well, after checking my stats, no I blooming don't! 😆

So my last run, 9K, was about 7 seconds faster than my recent 5K runs. I should add that I've slowed the 5's right down post-grad.

The reason: I'm using the shorter distances as recovery or intervals.

When I do intervals inside the recovery run the overall ends up the same as I take longer to catch my breath.

So, thanks to your reply I'm now conscious I need to sort this out.

I'm thinking of just upping the pace, no frills.

Do you have any other advice for me? 🙌

Mcdon profile image
Mcdon in reply to

I’m enjoying my pace that’s the thing I’m not a spring chicken anymore turned 50 this year although I would like to be faster I don’t want to put myself off having to up things. The cycle path I run on is very hilly in parts so I’m doing lots of hills already I’ll see how I go but it’s annoying me a wee bit 😂

GRoy profile image
GRoy

Forget about the times it’s amazing that you are doing. It’s the distance that counts not the time you do it in xxx

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toGRoy

Who says it is the distance that matters? If I can walk twice as far as I can run, should I not bother running as it's the distance that matters? That's a bit daft isn't it? What matters is what you choose to care about.

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10

Firstly great to hear from you and your progress since graduating. I’ve only just hit 10K and I guess my pace is still about the same for all distances. But tbh I’m happy with that - for now.

What I do like to do is to aim to beat my previous time on each run. For me - I’m competing against me and I love to beat myself!! 😬😬

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toRipcurlrana71

You can buy special sticks for that hehe

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Oooh link please!!! 😜

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toRipcurlrana71

Crack away amazon.co.uk/Snowhill-Ridin...

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

🤫 Thank you!!

in reply topinkaardvark

😲😆😆😆

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate10

My nephews time at Parkrun was becoming stagnant, but since joining a running club and managing to keep up with other runners at a faster pace and for longer his pb has tumbled, so it's giving him more endurance.

Mcdon profile image
Mcdon in reply todavelinks

I just run myself with my shifts home life etc maybe that’s the way that go

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

It depends what your goals are, you sound like you are doing just fine.... In this heat even Bolt couldnt do what he normally does... its flipping baking. When its cooler and if you want to be faster then intervals and pushing yourself will make a huge difference.

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