Pace

[UnfitNoMore]

Hi everyone not posted here for a little while but I figured I’d share something with you all.

As, hopefully, we all know, stats don’t matter and C25K is all about conversational pace running and developing that fitness. Of course we all look and some of us worry that we are too slow. There’s no such thing of course. I graduated in October, injured myself in November and got back running gradually in December. I’m following a race plan and the coach says to run most runs at 4 or 5 out of 10 effort, which is another way of saying conversational pace. The occasional run is at a faster pace and even more occasionally I have to do sprints intervals (ouch)

Like most of us I like a good stat... and when I nail a PB I’m happy. There on the screen is some instant gratification... my best mile has fallen gradually, and my 5k PB remains as I never get chance to attempt it, all runs 5k and above are conversational pace.

So, instant gratification aside, I’ve been reviewing my last few months and have noticed something that wasn’t obvious... but it has me much happier than a PB. My conversational pace has been gradually increasing, and is now a minute a mile quicker than it was at graduation. This indicates to me that my general fitness is rising nicely still, and that’s why I started running again after 30 years of neglect.

You’re not too slow... Keep on running that conversational pace and watch it gradually rise over time. Happy running everyone.

[geb6o8 Graduate]

What if I don't have anyone to run a conversational pace with? Stupid question possibly but how do I know I'm running at a conversational pace?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to geb6o8]

I usually run alone... and when I’m sure there’s nobody around to hear I speak a few sentences out loud and adjust pace if needed. Sometimes I get it a little wrong and someone gets to think (maybe that should be know) that I’m crazy.

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to geb6o8]

You don’t need someone to talk to to speak out loud. I talk to the birds n the bugs, if anyone saw me they’d think I was cracked 😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

I just count to 60, 90, or 120, depending which week of C25K that I am running 🏃. 😊 🏃 Not sure what I'll be doing once I rerun weeks 5 to 9😊🏃

[HeavyFoot Graduate in reply to geb6o8]

Sing to yourself. I practise songs I’m trying to memorise. Then you may have men in white coats to converse with.

[primaballerina in reply to HeavyFoot]

me too - luckily I run in the middle of no-where!

[sunshinefish Graduate]

I agree. All of my runs are at conversational pace, I run to maintain fitness both physically and mentally, not to enter races or become speedy. I try to do between a certain range of distance per week, regardless of time. However, my average pace has come down nicely by about 20 s per Km. Not a lot, but keeps me happy.

On my medical checkups, my resting heart rate is lower too, a nurse once asked me if I trained fitness wise.

My shape has changed but my weight hasn't.

All of this makes me happy. Like you I graduated last year, either the end of Sept or Oct, and now try to run the occasional 10k. Keep with it, think long term. Not all changes are big and grand but the small ones are just as good.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

Great to hear you’re hitting up some 10k runs now... I’m a closing in on it slowly, 5.5 miles on next weeks long run, so just under a mile to add after that.

I have to say I do love the conversational paced runs the most... I think once I’ve got a couple of other goals done I’m going to do all of my running that way.

Great news on the BP and also you being happy with the new shape.

Happy running.

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks, you too UNM!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

That's what it's all about.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yeah, took me a while to get over my inner teenager last summer.

[Jennypenny2]

Thanks for that post ,it was just what I needed to hear ,was worrying I was to slow ☹I do enjoy my runs 😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jennypenny2]

It’s all about loving it

[Granspeed Graduate]

Lovely post, and very useful as Spring surges around us. You have a gift for saying what needs to be said. Thanks.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

It’s gonna be a wonderful year for us all too.

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Nicely said, UNM! 😊

[Jell6 Graduate]

You put things so well!

Keep doing what you do. Oh yes I may have a bone to pick with you re Halo Top, but....it will keep. 🍦🍨

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jell6]

What’s the issue? 😕

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That I have 3 tubs in my freezer!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jell6]

I don’t see how... run 5k eat a tub, rinse and repeat 😂