Speed vs shuffle-jog

[primaballerina]

Now, I DO understand the importance of going slowly which were the very wise words of advice I got when I did W1 R1 and ended up with a tomato face... because although I didn't realise it, I was going too fast.

So now with W5 R3 under my belt, and my breathing completely under control (to my great suprise)... I notice that I did only 1.94km in my 20 mins (not including walking time and distance)... which is of course painfully slow. Just over 10 minutes / km or 6km/hour.

Do I have any hope in aiming for say, 4km when I get to my graduation week (clearly I am being positive here in so far as having the faith that I will get there).

Does going fast 'hurt' more - i.e calf ache - the normal sort not spasms... or does going faster only effect breathing?

BTW I'm doing some fitness training in between runs and sometimes when I'm really hyped up I do it ON running days as well - it's things like Plank, semi-pressups, core toning stuff etc (Fit8 app).

On another note, although I have only lost a couple of pounds of the 2.5 stone I would like to lose, my husband commented on the improvement in the look of my legs today and even I (casting a critical eye) had to agree my celluite was greatly reduced)!

PB

[pugmumma Graduate]

I am a super slow runner. When I graduated I did get to 5k in 40ish minutes but I was running 4 times a week then. I have now done a couple of organised 5k and it seems to take me 45mins to do it. Pathetic I know! But I decided that I would rather avoid injury and be a regular snail runner than overdo it and have to take time off. I can run for over 45 minutes and never thought I would be able to do that.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Speeding up increases impact.

Impact creates stress on your body.

Faster muscle movement requires a greater volume of oxygenated blood, therefore your breathing increases as does your heart rate.

Slower runners live longer womensrunning.competitor.co...

What's the hurry?

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well, I’ve taken the “time is success” route and am a recent graduate. No breathing problems & rarely an ache or pain. But I still take about 9 mins per k. 🐢🐌🐢 But, in other news, it is gradually getting a bit quicker even tho’ I’m not doing anything except consolidation runs so far. So I’d say, enjoy your running & let speed take care of itself for a good while yet. Happy jogging! 😄

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

I've missed your horsey pictures... hope all is going well with your consolidation!

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thanks. No problems except the vineyards of Portugal proved unsuitable footing for a novice runner! Home now so consolidation & photos will resume....

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Did you maybe focus too much on the 🍷 aspect?

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Not to mention the accompanying foods. And a whole week of unalloyed sunshine. 😎

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Hmm yes running would have been really tricky in those dire circumstances 😂

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

It was just the footing, just the footing! All the rocks & broken shale. Nothing to do with the steep hillsides, the food or the wine.... Did I mention wine? 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

I’m sure ...

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

It all sounds like a very valid excuse to me!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

As you get further in the program your distance will improve but don't worry the main thing is completing the runs . As for going faster I am doing that now unintentionally the only reason I know is my breathing gets harder so I then slow down a bit . Good luck 😊

[Pianism Graduate]

My advice would be to forget speed/distance entirely for now... your aim is to get to graduation without injury and, preferably, without pain. Focus on getting through the minutes for now and you can think about the rest once you've got your body accustomed to running.

[Chester01 Graduate]

I really wouldn’t worry about it, it will definitely come in time. With lots of post graduate hard work my time has increased from over 41mins to just over 34 mins. I didn’t worry about pace until after I could run 30 mins. Keep doing what you’re doing and it’ll come in time 😁

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Snails 🐌 rock! ... but even this 59yr old happy snail discovered that she got faster without trying to! 😂

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Hi well done for doing 5:3! Seriously don’t worry about distance now or speed. Just run and enjoy it. You might not get very far by the end of the programme but you will habe run 30 minutes, which is a lot ! And has loads of physical benefits. You are running the same time as someone that is running further. We are still new runners and it’s best to enjoy it and keep at it rather than go fast, hate it and stop or injure yourself.

I tried to run faster recently and ending up hating the run, myself, running in general etc so I’m back to plodding and just enjoying it. You’re doing great!

[oldperson47 Graduate]

I did Wk5 run 2 and went off too fast ( for me) so I did not make the full 8 minutes running. I was so disappointed. So I decided to repeat the run but made the GREAT mistake of a route with inclines on the running part, not a good idea. So I will do the run again until I can do 2 lots of 8 minutes running. I keep telling myself I am doing it for me to feel better, maybe lose a bit of the excess flab but not to win any races. I have noticed that my heart rate is getting lower on the running parts which must mean I am getting fitter.