Hawkfall. Did run 3 of week five a few days ago - a shock to find it was 20 minutes continual running when I plugged in my earphones

[Hawkfall]

Had to have a quiet talk to myself! Well I did it, but the thing is, my 'running' is quite possibly slower than some people can walk - well fast walk anyway, it is so slow, though I do feel to be getting a little lighter on my feet. Hoping My speed will improve, but thought it would have happened by the end of week 5. Have I just to be patient or should I really, really push myself?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Be patient. I am a natural plodder and I probably always will be. My speed has increased since graduation. Right now for you it's all about teaching those muscles how to tone up into running muscles and that has nothing to do with speed. It's always best to work at your bodies own pace while you are learning. Injuries happen when you push it too far to soon. We might be plodders but our bodies are doing just as much exercise as the speedy Gonzales it's all relative to you.

[Hawkfall in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you for replying - I think I do feel that even barely jogging is a different feel to walking fast - will stick at it. One day I might just be a blur!

[Rupertlebear Graduate]

Hi. I've got my 20 min run coming up on Thursday (just done run 2 wk 5 today) so I'm kind of at the same place as you. Laura mentioned on the podcast today about speed for the first time, so I'm guessing that now is perhaps when we should be thinking about going a little bit faster, if we are able to. But, if we aren't, then a steady jog at your pace is probably hunky dory too! I imagine that increased pace will come with fitness. If you are feeling stronger then you may want to pick up the pace a bit. Pace seems to be such an individual thing from what i read on here.

Well done for getting this far. 20 minutes is a long time to be running in my book!

[Hawkfall in reply to Rupertlebear]

Thankyou for your reply - it always feels good to know that others feel the same. Thing is, I didn't really think about speed until Laura said "If you feel you can't manage it, then slow your pace down" - it was then I realised that I couldn't really slow my pace down unless I walked!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate in reply to Hawkfall]

You can *always* slow down. Two feet off the ground at the same time is running rather than walking.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

I would say the programme builds up your stamina - as in your ability to keep going for more than a minute or two (which was the challenge back at the beginning).

Once you get into the "long runs" in weeks 7, 8 and 9, it's tempting to run faster in the second and third runs of each week to see if you can beat your pb, but for most people the challenge is to keep running.

So my advice is to keep it slow and steady for now. If you feel as though you have a LOT of spare energy at the end of something like W7R1, then aim to go slightly faster in the second half of your race (try to pass landmarks at about the same time as before in the first part of your route). There is plenty of time once you graduate to work on your speed.

[Hawkfall]

Very kind of you to reply - have played sports all my life and been to the gym regularly over last six years, so am reasonably fit, and am not overweight - so guess I thought I would find it quite easy when I started running - but I am over 60, so suppose it will take me longer than say a 30 year old, to feel to be a runner!

[Currentbun Graduate]

Hi Hawkfall, I am also a slow runner, and for most of the time on the programme walkers used to overtake me! I only realised I was starting to speed up when I graduated and ran the same circuit for the same time and noticed my end point was further round the circuit than before. Just keep doing the runs for the time and your improved fitness and speed increase will sneak up on you.

[Hawkfall in reply to Currentbun]

Thankyou currentbun - look forward to that moment!- thanks for replying

[achydunlin]

Take it steady. I'm still a plodder after graduating. My friend who used to be a runner but due to injuries now power-walks, walks faster than I run! Don't despair. It's about building stamina. If you try to go too fast too soon you will just get an injury.

[Hawkfall]

So kind of you to reply - will listen to advice that you and all others have given - I am enjoying the fresh air and the achievement of just walking out the front door and doing it! - and exhilaration of running. Watching a good runner is like watching a race horse run - my aim is to run a reasonable distance with a good technique, no more than that. Thankyou

[Hidden]

I wouldn't worry about speed at this stage. I plod along as well but from the final run of W5 (the dreaded 20 mins) I found that I was gradually lengthening my stride for the last minute or so and getting further around my route than before. So, it does look as though improved speed creeps up on you. All that concerns me at the moment is completing each session - anything more is a bonus. Good luck with your next runs. Best wishes.

[Hawkfall]

Thankyou for replying - I'm pretty sure that my speed or distance isn't increasing, but I am sort of enjoying it and being in the open air, so I will carry on and be glad I can do what I do! I love to see a runner who can run easily and gracefully - that will be my aim!!!