Faster snail faster!

[VikkiHigg]

So my best run time is 1k in 7.50 something. Now you know the reason for the title! I'm never going to be the hare but slightly faster than the tortoise would do! Anyone have any ideas please? Best 5k time about 42 mins!

[dagshar Graduate]

What sort of running do you do during the week? If you include a longer run (slowly increasing your overall running time) and maybe try the speed podcast occasionally, you may find that your 5k speed may also increase. Most importantly, run to enjoy it!

[davelinks Graduate]

I know what you mean, I started about the same time as you and my times about the same. Find it hard to get the legs to go faster and keep it there.

Think just need to give it more time and let it come naturally.

I'm concerned I will push too hard and cause injury.

I got a slow time on Parkrun on Saturday, but it was the first hilly course I had encountered, then Tuesday I was back to about my more usual time and just got a pb by 17 secs on a more level run.

But I'm going to try and carry on with the hilly Parkrun course at least once a week, and see if my times improve eventually on the level runs, as my stamina & fitness improves even more...

Shame we couldn't run together, being at about the same level...😃

[misswobble Graduate in reply to davelinks]

You're right Dave? Go steadily. Proceed with caution!!!!!

[Rignold]

If you feel the need to increase your speed (seems to be a common theme atm), then do one session of intrevals a week and one session of hill repeats. Just trying to push faster on long runs is not going to do the trick.

[rammsteinqueen Graduate]

I would just keep at it and gradually your speed with increase in time. At least you're out there doing something

[Bonniesingh Graduate]

If you are a snail, I am a slug carrying a tortoise!

[RunningForBroke Graduate in reply to Bonniesingh]

Me too Bonniesingh. My average pace is about 8:35 per km. Your wording made me laugh.

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Actually I am wondering why I'm trying to increase my speed and I think the answer is I'm embarrassed at how slow I am but like rammsteinqueen says at least I'm doing something. Actually I'm not because I put myself off a bit and got demotivated so haven't run at all for over a week then I read one of my week 3 posts and it gave me a kick up the bum because I've come so far I don't want to go back to square one! Thanks all! x

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to VikkiHigg]

My Mum runs much slower than that but every one in our village keeps coming up to me commenting on how they've seen her out running and how amazing she's doing.

I asked my Mum if anyone ever spoke to her about seeing me out running and she shook her head and looked at me like I was bonkers.

Obviously my ability to run 5k in virtually half the time she does is not impressive.

I hope you see the point I'm trying to make ☺

[AdamB Graduate]

If you really want to increase your speed, you could do worse than follow Rignold's advice. It takes time, though. Don't expect instant results, but if you keep at it, things will improve. For example, last week I completed a half marathon. I was bemused to note that my split time for the first 5K was rather better than I could run a 5K at in January - even though I had another 16K to go. I'm now about 25% faster than I was when I finished C25K without concentrating on speed. This has been achieved just by going out and running regularly (typically 3 times per week), but mixing my runs up.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Why worry about your speed is what I say! The important thing is to keep going, and for that it needs to be enjoyable. Personally I regard that as a perfectly acceptable - and a damn sight faster than anyone sitting on the couch. There is some great advice above - but don't feel you have to go faster all the time!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

My 5k time was around 34 minutes when I started. I had a garmin pb (not necessarily the most accurate) last week of 28:50ish. That has come mostly from just running. I've done some intervals, done very few hills, lifted a few kettlebells, but mostly I've just increased my distance. I think aerobic fitness comes with time. I'm sure the other stuff helps, but at our (my) level, just running is as important as anything.

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

What stage of C25K are u at right now? In the early stages as the programme starts to build fitness, slow and steady is best and then as the longer runs come in, it is still important to pace yourself so you can complete the session. That is actually a good time you are running - I graduate at the weekend and have run 5K with a speed of 8 minutes per Km. for a Parkrun, that would be 40 minutes, think that would be ok for a beginner. Speed can come later ☺️

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

I'm ashamed to say I am a graduate! Just a non-improving one

[Bonniesingh Graduate]

Do not even think of being ashamed!!!!!! I wish I could run 5k in 42 mins - actually I don't really mind if I can't. As long as we are doing a bit for our bodies by getting off the couch, we are doing well. Better to run slowly and enjoy it than to hate running because you are anxious to go faster and it is not enjoyable?

[PastorT2 Graduate]

Im still in the programme but as they say, one step at a time.

You take it at a pace that suits you best.

[VikkiHigg Graduate]

Well I paid for not running for nearly 2 weeks by only doing 3.25k this morning and it hurt! Could have gone further but having been really disorganised with getting my kit together I ran out of time. Still feel good for having gone out and that's a good thing! Thanks everyone!

[AndyD Graduate]

Running fast has never really been my "thing", but being a self-confessed geek I have noticed that my average pace has fallen during my first year of running via my Garmin Stats. This has come as a result of just "getting out there" and with no specific "speed work". I know if I want to increase my speed I will need to train accordingly, but for now the longer runs are my thing whatever the pace is.-)

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

That's not slow! I started at about 10.45, yes you read that right...my first 5k was 48 mins. I do the + podcasts regularly, they really work for me. Intervals and hills are the way to go....