Pace: Hi everyone not posted here for a little... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Pace

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate
20 Replies

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.

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UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore
Graduate
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20 Replies
geb6o8 profile image
geb6o8Graduate

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate 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 profile image
SeeJillRunGraduate 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 profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate 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 profile image
HeavyFootGraduate 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 profile image
primaballerina in reply to HeavyFoot

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

sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefishGraduate

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate 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 profile image
sunshinefishGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks, you too UNM!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

That's what it's all about.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

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

Jennypenny2 profile image
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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Jennypenny2

It’s all about loving it

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

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

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Granspeed

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

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlGraduate

Nicely said, UNM! 😊

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Jell6

What’s the issue? 😕

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

That I have 3 tubs in my freezer!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Jell6

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

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