I’m 65 and finished c25k I August. Since then I have continued running gradually increasing the distance I run . Have just run 7k in 1hr 13 mins. My daughter aged 30 some says this is too slow as she runs 2k in 14 mins! Am I doing something wrong to run at such a slow pace ?
Feeling down. : I’m 65 and finished c25k I... - Bridge to 10K
Feeling down.
Shantygirl60minGraduate
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Shantygirl
60minGraduate
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66 Replies
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CoddfishGraduate10
Hi Shanytygirl. There’s no right or wrong pace, only what works for you. It’s also unlikely that a 65 year old, who has my previously run, would be anything like as quick as a running 30 year old. Try not to let her comments worry you.
Thank you!
LeosmitGraduate1060minGraduate
Trying to post this without sounding rude about your daughter, but at 30, she should realise that it’s time on your feet that matters! 7k is an amazing achievement and should be encouraged at every step. I am not fast, I don’t really want to work on speed but on distance and that’s what you’ve been doing.
There’s so many health benefits to ‘slow running’, a quick google search will show you this. I’m sure she probably did not mean to discourage you but I do think it was a rather unfair comparison! Keep going with YOUR pace, YOUR running and YOUR personal achievements and challenges. And well done, great progress so far!
Thank you. I do prefer running longer distances at a slower pace !
Totally with you on that. Long and slow! I’ve just noticed that you’ve just graduated, the fact that you are uable to keep running for well over an hour is fantastic! You should apply for your ‘60 minute’ badge beside your name.
I will !
👍
Thank you.
Take confidence from the replies on here - you are doing just great as you are!
Runners closer in age than you and your daughter would find it hard to make comparisons. Everyone's running style, pace and sense of achievement is unique to them. A snails 5k is just as far as a speedy gazelle's. Keep doing you 😉😊
I think you’re doing brilliantly at 65.
You might point out that 7 minute kilometres at age 30 is nothing special though. (I’m sure you wouldn’t be so mean.)
🤣🤣
😂😂 yeah I can do a 7 min km and I’m 50 something. Only one though and then I’d need a rest 😂😂
And I forgot to say I can’t run 7k either so good for you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you !
GrannyhugsGraduate10
You are doing everything right. You are a new runner and hopefully enjoying it. My 29year old son-in-law would be fast compared to your daughter, he does 2k in 9 minutes. Well done both of them if that’s what they aim for. The rest of us, we are beating our peers and all those way younger than us who are still on the couch. You keep doing what you’re enjoying. If you, nobody else, decide to go faster or slower, longer or shorter distance, up hills or on the flat, then that’s great, celebrate it. Happy running 🤗
CBDBGraduate10
Slow is the new fast! And, wow! 7k. I’m at 6k 🙂.
I am super slow and loving it. Also started in April, overweight, was unfit, and slow running not only allowed me to keep on running, it gave me a passion for running. No injuries so far and each run is so delightful that I think slow running is simply the best thing ever!
From reading a lot on here and books there is scientific evidence that slow runners live longer than runners who only run fast and slow runners are less injury prone. Also, loads of famous athletes slow down their runs during training.
I’d say, run slow and be proud of it.
(And i know this is easier said than done, having had my moment where my usually so lovely runner husband questioned my speed! 😡. But he’s been now on the injury couch for months and I’m still running!)
But specifically this forum has helped me to be confident about my speed, which is just right for me.
Also see Tamaka Slow Jogging m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...
Have fun running, and I’d say slow rocks! 👍🏽👏💪🏃🏻♀️
Thank you for your words of encouragement. My running gives me challenges and makes me feel I am achieving something. No injuries so far , touch wood !
nowsterGraduate10
7 km in 75 minutes is not hugely slow.
I can do 2km in 12 minutes (it's the same pace as doing 5km in 30 minutes). I can't (yet) do 7km, and there's no way I could do longer distances at that fast pace.
You can't judge yourself by her standards. Nor should you.
That's a interesting point nowster, a runner who can run a sub 30 minute 5k but can't run for more than say 6K, I am sure if you ran 5K in 35 minutes which is 7Km pace you could run more than 7K.
It's not that I physically couldn't do it. I haven't got to the stage where I am doing longer distances safely yet.
5km next week, 6km by the end of the month, perhaps 10 km in the early new year.
I'm 52, male, 6ft tall and all legs. My walking pace is fast too, and always has been.
My point is that the original poster's daughter may be able to do fast short distances but may lack the staying power to run the longer distances her mother does.
WeavingWonkGraduate10
Just keep running. You're twice her age. I worried about pace, but have recently realized that it really doesn't matter. It's miles on my legs. Full stop. I am 10 years younger than you and only a tiny bit faster on a 7k run. But I'm 6' and all legs.
61LadyGraduate10
No ... I mean just no!
She may not have meant it but that’s just mean.
Please don’t feel down - you are doing your runs at your pace for you and that’s what matters.
We are not in a race and if you’re anything like me, competitiveness is just with yourself. Like ... I did this last time, can I improve ? Faster or longer or ... just feeling better while you are out there. I’m 61 and was chuffed to bits keeping going for 60 mins and don’t give a fig about the distance I covered. I think it’s big mistake to get bogged down with numbers - please just try and enjoy the journey.
CowladyrunningGraduate10
Really look at the slow running stuff mentioned above! I had 'competition' from my husband and going out for a run with him nearly killed me, but I soon realised although I appeared to be going slower, on the runs I did happily at my own pace, I wasn't far off what he was doing! No idea how but I like it!! Slow running is great!
If you look up age related gradings for Parkrun, it's SO encouraging for people our age. I'd be coming in at the end of the pack, but with my grading, found I'd done better than most of the fast lot who'd thundered past me and headed for home before I finished!
Beachcomber66Graduate10
The whole point is not to compare. We are all doing our own thing at our own pace and enjoying the mental and physical health benefits. Here’s to you Shantygirl 🥂👏👏👏👏👏👏👍🙂
She maybe your daughter but she sounds a bit jealous to me. She should be encouraging you. We’re all different. I’m slow too but I’m off the couch and I’m running.
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10
Good run for you Shantygirl, a little unfair of what your daughter said, you have ran for more than 60 minutes, you are entitled to get '60mingraduate' next to your username, for that to appear go to the pinned posts on the right side of the HealthUnlocked November B210K graduation page and tell the administrators that you have ran for 60 minutes.
CmoiGraduate10
Shantygirl , while it's none of my business, I'm really irritated by your daughter's remark.
I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but if she comments again because she thinks that will somehow motivate you, please feel free to tell her she has room for improvement too. I'm 60 and can run faster than her, over longer distances, so ner ner ner ner ner!!!
Seriously, who cares? You're gettng out there, and have every right to be proud of yourself.
Happy running! 
CaptFrey60minGraduate
Absolutely not, I run at that kind of pace. Your daughter is 30 her knees are younger than yours and it’s not a competition. I was overtaken on one run by a youngling walking her dog! We both found humour in the situation and I carried on at my own sweet pace. Show yourself some compassion please at least you are doing the runnings 🤗
Yes I’ve been overtaken by dog walkers too !
Blossom-60minGraduate
Oh no! No you're not doing anything wrong at all! What you're doing is finding YOUR pace YOUR run. It's not a competition! Please, just enjoy what you've achieved already, and continue to enjoy running YOUR runs. I'm 66 and was over the moon last Monday to do 6k in 55 mins. GO US! 💥🤸🏃♀️💥
Dexy5Graduate10
As said by many Shantygirl, you are doing great, and it is a fact that 30 year olds will generally run faster than 60 year olds which is why age grading exists At parkrun. Remember “comparison is the theft of joy”.
I think running 7k is amazing no matter how long it takes you ... you should be proud of yourself. I’m 47 and have completed the couch 25k but still not running 5k yet ... feel like everything has ceased up since it has gone cold so I take my hat off to you. Everyone is different and do things at their own pace ... for me I have read you me post thinking that’s ace ... I should be doing that so well done to you xx
Keep at it you’ll get there! I know what you mean about the cold though. I have put on a second layer in preparation for this morning’s run!
Whydothis60minGraduate
I have just got back from a 7k run, and I had to walk for a few steps several times, and took well over an hour - but who cares! This was my first long run since my first 60 minutes, when I did under 7k, so today I decided to set my phone for 7k and see how long it took. As a result I have run for longer than before, and I am happy with myself!
We have both gone from our first 30 minutes to running for over an hour in just a few weeks - we should be proud and happy!
damienairAdministrator
Last year I could have said that your daughter was running too slow as I was running 5K in under 27 minutes. My friend whom is an amazing Athlete could have said that I was running too slow as he was running 5K in 15 minutes. We are all different. We all run at different speeds and run different distances. We should never compare ourselves to others. You are doing brilliantly. You have graduated from C25K and you are still running 2 months later. That is brilliant. And not only that but you have extended your running. Very well done. You have no reason to feel down. You should be very proud of yourself and all that you have achieved. Keep running, run for you and no one else. And most of all enjoy it.
Damien
Thank you .
Hareshaw-GrannyGraduate10
Congratulations on your great 7k achievement. I think you’re amazing to achieve this distance. I agree with everyone else that your daughter should have been more careful in her remarks.
I just hope that when she’s your age she can run as fast as you.
Go us oldies👍👍👏👏
I'm ten yrs younger than you and your pace is about the same as me. I really couldn't go much faster and I've been running for a yr now. However, I did do the 10 km recently so slow works imo!
How fast can your daughter run 7 km? Has she even tried? Pace at short distances is faster than pace at longer distances.
Your daughter made a thoughtless remark which hurt your feelings, but remember the facts. She is in her 30s and you are 65 and very new to running. She may be faster than you at the moment, but in the short time you have been running you have already built some incredible strength and endurance. You can work on your speed if you want to, and you will get faster over time, but remember that you have already made enormous progress in a very short period, and you are doing things your way and enjoying it. You should be really proud of yourself, and you can tell your daughter she also should be proud of you!!
I have awarded you your 60 Minutes badge here and now. Enjoy your running, superstar!!! xxx
Thank you. Just done another 60 minute run!
Awesome!!!
MoliJGraduate10
Hi Shantygirl, I am 64 and you are not running too slow. My daughter is in her 30’s and she is much faster than me but she regularly tells me slow is good. You are out there, you are exercising and you are getting healthy. That’s all that matters not how fast you go. You go slow girl 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪. Us oldies rock !!!!!!
johnt46Graduate10
Hi Shantygirl, I started C25K just over two years ago at 72. Trying to run faster, I finished up with various injuries, an achilles injury led to nearly six months not running. I'm now 74, wiser, a little faster, fitter, but mostly enjoying the run, enjoying the country side, heard my first cuckoo for years this year, just grateful to be able to actually run at my age and if I want to stop and take a photo I can, without the worry that I won't reach that PB! Don't get me wrong, sometimes I look at my watch and think my pace is looking good, feel at ease so try to maintain that pace and if I do get a PB, that's a bonus. Oh and when Parkruns are back you must try it, the camaraderie is great and very encouraging and I guarantee there will be people slower than you as it is not a race, only against your self.
Thank you , am looking forward to doing a Parkrun in the future .
Do not feel down, take it slow and steady and comfortable for you, it’s your run, you own it. Set yourself small incremental goals, above all else just keep going out there and run and enjoy, feel and breathe in the air, it’s an amazing tonic. Cheers to you 👍👏🏃🏻♀️🍷
HeavyFootGraduate10
I’ve just been checking some Olympic records, and your daughter is INCREDIBLY slow!!
😂😂
ShaunoGraduate10
You’ve done amazing doing a 7k, listen to all the positive vibes here 😀
RoxdogGraduate10
It is not too slow, it is a wonderful achievement! Well done you!
SlothgoesrunningGraduate10
My son is 17 and a sprinter, hurdler and long jumper. He always tells me slow is good. He also came with me to run his first 5k and only managed 3.5k! He can’t do slow and I can’t do fast. We are super proud of each other. So do not compare yourself to your daughter and remind her gently not to compare herself to you. You are doing bloody amazing. Go you! 🙂
LeosmitGraduate1060minGraduate
That new badge looks awesome!!
TillybeachGraduate10
Absolutely not! As all others have said, you are doing great. You are taking exercise at your pace, keeping fit is so healthy. Very important not to over do it, to avoid jury and then can no longer do it.
Keep going and encourage your daughter to achieve her own goals and you have yours !! 😁
Dozydora61Graduate10
No way, I am 63 and usually run around 10 mins per km. The gym tells me that slow running builds stamina. The important thing is to run your way and enjoy it.
TotalNewbie1Graduate10
I feel for you as I am not the fastest but better than sitting on the couch. All my adult children run, and their pace is so much faster so I can see how discouraging this can be but don’t compare yourself. I know easier said than done but I actually made myself miserable when I did this and almost gave up because of it. Now I run for me and I dream of doing a 5k in 30 minutes but also realistic that I may or may not achieve it but I am fitter and healthier than I have ever been.
Enjoy your run for you and be proud of your achievement.
I dream of doing 10k but at my pace !
Shantygirl to have run 7k in 73 mins means you have run on AVERAGE at 3.575m.p.h . Hey girl at over 50yrs. Wow!
Well if you put it that way 🏆
Shanty girl, you’ve inspired me to get back at it seriously. I’m 66 and have been happily “slow” running for 30 minutes every other day. My new goal is 60 minutes no matter the kilometers/mileage! Thank you and you go girl!!!!
👍👍👍
LiflufGraduate10
Actually, I'd say you're spot on. Running is about you not other people.
I had a race with my son-in-law in the first lockdown. It was a 5k course which I ran once and he ran twice. I finished before him so I won 🤣🤣
Relax and enjoy your running.
Elfe560minGraduate
Hi Shantygirl, your running is great & you are doing brilliantly.😄
I run at about the same speed as you - there are lots of us!
My husband and daughter run nearly twice as fast as me, but I accept that they are happy gazelles & I am a happy snail. 😄
For me, enjoying my running is much more important than pace.😄
A happy snail that’s me !🐌
Irish-JohnGraduate10
Firstly - a runnis a run is a run
Secondly - you run do you ARE a Runner
Thirdly - Comparison is the thief of joy 😬
Fourthly - most of us here wouldn't qualify for the Boston Marathon, but we are INFINITLY faster than anyone on the Couch
You are doing great - don't let anyone change that
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