So slow!

[SW53]

I have just completed Week 5 run 3 and should be feeling very pleased with myself. Yet all I can think about is how slow I am - average pace 9.30 mins/km tonight. Is this a normal pace for some people? Is this the slow and steady pace that people talk about on this site?

[MadDave]

My friend does triathlons and keeps telling me to take it slower - and to rest properly between runs. Seems to be working for me.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you are pushing hard to run at that pace, then it is not an "easy" pace for you. If on the other hand, your breathing is smooth and controlled then maybe it is your easy pace. This will be different for each individual. Some will be faster, some will be slower. That is the same for every runner, apart from those at the top elite level.

Those same elite athletes spend 70-80% of their running at their easy pace, only pushing hard for the remainder. We all have to accept that our pace is our pace and if we want to improve it, find an appropriate training plan to follow.

C25K is about building stamina not speed so slow is fine. While some will say run as slow as you can, I prefer to advise running as slow as you need to.

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

As slow as you need to. I like that way of putting it.

[Ang33333 Graduate]

It's normal for me! I will never be fast!

[Goforitmama Graduate]

I think we are all different, ignoring the stats, you just do whatever your legs and lungs are telling you is right. Keep smiling and keep running / jogging.

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Ohh... And I meant to say a big well done to you on achieving a 20 minute run! It feels monumental doesn't it?!!

[Hidden]

It is faster than I have ever been able to manage in 14 years of trying to run. It works out at 10:23 minutes per mile. The best I ever did was 12 minutes per mile. At the moment I still haven't got below 15 minutes per mile in Week 3 in my current restart effort.