I have to admit that just recently I have been feeling a little disheartened with the progress or rather the lack of progress with regard to my running speeds when compared to some of my running colleagues. Admittedly some are 20 years younger than me.
I set off for a pre-work run and found it rather enjoyable and made a point of not looking at my watch for speeds etc.
Anyway, when I got back home and checked my Strava, I had managed 2 PBs for one (9.51) and two miles (20.40) and my second fastest 5k at 33.08.
I went off to work feeling a lot happier and, yes I might not be setting any records but clearly I am improving - just slower than some that's all 😄
Written by
TSword
Graduate10
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Slow is just fine... but you are not slow Run this for you... not for other folk
"Comparison is the thief of joy"
I think you are doing brilliantly!! And as one of our awesome friends on here always says, it is the long slow runs, which are the ones that build up speed and distance
I am also discovering the benefits of Strava for comparing regular route performances - it’s amazing isn’t it? I was chuffed to look back on how much I’d improved even since graduating 10K in October. What had been a really hard-fought PB at 5k, after which I had to spend several minutes catching my breath, is now my 10K pace!
Even if my pace hadn’t improved, I am so pleased I kept running through the autumn and new year. Whereas my actual running buddy, who did C25k/B210k with me last year, stopped when the clocks changed but is planning to start running again this week. From being the fitter and faster runner, I imagine she’s going to struggle a bit to start with. I am glad I found a way to keep running. 😁👍
Well done TS - I think it just takes time to get that improvement, particularly for those of us who are, shall we say, at the older end of the spectrum?! I've found increasing distance up to 10k on a regular basis, has definitely helped my 5k times.
Well done! I find improvement takes a while. Quite often I go backwards when I compare my times to previous runs! A bit disheartening but I guess you just have to think of it as a run done and hopefully enjoyed and not worry about times.
One of the headspace runs on the nike app says that each run is important, as it is a step towards the goal, but no one step is the most important and basically not to beat yourself up over it.
Absolutely right. Getting out there whatever speed is better than doing nothing at all and at this time of year is quite an achievement for an ex-couch potato like me 😀
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Run this for you... not for other folk 
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
