Speed!

[Redtracey]

I realise every single one of us is totally different but - although I am using strava I don’t understand the speed bit!

What average speed do the slowest of you go - pretty sure am slower running than my walking pace - and I totally get that that doesn’t matter so am not changing anything - just interested in people’s speed!!

Week 6 Run 1 tomorrow - going to need to be up super early as it is mega hot here in France - been 42 degrees today so the earlier am up and out the better - now had anyone said I would say those words 6 weeks ago I would have fell off the sofa laughing - yet - here I am!!!!!!!!! Lol x

[icklegui Graduate]

I think lots of people just won't share their speeds ...

but if you are interested I think you can find the age-graded results for parkrun somewhere? (I'm afraid I don't know where and I'm supposed to working, not on the forum ... ) That will give you a rough idea of how fast people do parkrun (5K organised runs, if you don't know) in each age category. They put out a report recently stating how proud they were that their average times had gone UP - because it means it's more accessible and more people are joining in who are slower which is brilliant! More inclusivity

[Redtracey Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thank you - I will look for that!

I am improving very very slowly but it’s in right direction lol 🐌🐌

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Redtracey]

Well done on your progress!

Don't lose sight though of the idea that slow running is very good for you - people on here keep saying it works different muscle groups to fast running and it's also known that pro athletes do their training 80% at a slow pace

You're doing great and you have the right attitude 🐌🏃

[Redtracey Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thank you so much! I never thought I had it in me to run!! Lol

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to icklegui]

I read that and that inspired me to walk my first parkrun... as I knew they wouldn’t be angered in having to wait for me. 53 minutes officially and that included a couple of minutes crossing the start line. My phone clocked me at 51 which was my target. I was impressed with myself and knew I could take the step to the first run here.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Average time at my local parkruns is around 27 minutes... and that’s with a fair few run all their lives, 10+ marathons done type guys in the field.

My friend is a super fit marathon runner looking at ultras. Most days he runs at 12ish minutes per mile, once a week he goes harder at 10, and hits parkrun at 8 if it suits his current run plan. His slow days are where he builds endurance in the legs and is comparable with what we are doing. If anyone is anywhere near that, they’re doing a great job, and then some.

My pace when I run is more like 14 and I can’t sustain it for long yet, and I can walk at 17 for 6 miles.

Whatever your pace is, it’s what it needs to be for your current fitness. Unless you’re finishing your runs breathing as you do at rest, you’re doing a good pace.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

A few people on here have said they run slower than they walk. It’s the running action that matters though not the pace. Many people find their pace gets better AFTER graduation - building up the endurance to sustain running for 30 minutes comes first. If you think about how rapidly we improve our endurance during the nine weeks it would actually be strange if we got faster as well at that stage! Whereas when people are consolidating after graduation and not pressing on to longer times and distances then their improving fitness may eventually be reflected in a brisker pace I suppose.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

I got slower through the weeks to ensure completion of successively longer runs! My first week 9 run was at SUCH a comfortable pace

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Yes I did that too, though not deliberately! The hot weather is a factor too at present I think.

[Redtracey Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

I seem at an average but improve by a tiny bit - but we’re talking minimal lol - yes the weather is a bit of a killer at min!!!!

[Redtracey Graduate]

Thank you - I shall continue doing what am doing! I use strava and only managing 3k at present at week 6 so I will just keep going!!

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Redtracey]

In week 6 you’re not even running the full 30 minutes yet and 3k is not particularly slow, plenty of folk on here are / were slower.

[Redtracey Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Yes it was 3k today with the walks inbetween included - I think am super slow but I don’t care am doing it lol

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Redtracey]

Nevertheless it’s not a particularly slow pace for beginners like us. Certainly faster than walking.

[Jundal Graduate]

My speed depends on how I feel, on a good day it's not too bad, but today it was a snail's pace. Last run, my best was at a ten minute mile, today my best was nearly 13 minutes. It all depends on a lot of factors, but I did two shifts back to back with only broken sleep between, but the thing is, I managed it! Even if it hurt like hell... And for the first time in ages, I was begging Sarah to tell me it was over whilst I ran!