Since I started couch to 5K I’ve run with a friend who is 10 years younger (I’m 64 my friend is 54)
She always starts faster than me and often loops around and comes back to me if she gets too far in front. She says it’s her natural speed. However when we get to the last 5 mins and especially the last minute I put some speed on and always overtake her. Also today we got lost when out running and had much further to come back than we expected. I ran easily for an extra five minutes and could have done more but was being sensible, she couldn’t go beyond the allotted 30 mins.
What I’m wondering is why we are so different, is it an age thing, and should I make myself speed up?
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PrincessSaffy
Graduate
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It’s more than ok to be slow... it’s about raising the fitness levels and being healthy. The extra endurance is great too... yep, she’s quicker, but you can run longer.
If you want to go faster, there are ways to get there, but there’s no requirement to do so. Even if you do go down that route, most of your runs should remain at a comfortable pace.
Thanks I don’t feel like I want to go faster at present I feel it would be too stressful and part of the reason for running is to be less stressed. Thanks for helpful comments
Slow and steady seems to be the mantra around here. I would stay at your own speed, especially as your friend doesn't mind looping back.
I am slow, I'm on treadmill so I know I'm at 6.3 to 6.5 km/h...I won't break any records but I haven't had any injuries or sprains and most of the time (except last run) the runs haven't been too bad.
Your pace is your pace and it will always be a good pace for you 😀. Also within runners there are those that are suited to short fast/ sprint runs and those suited for endurance/ long runs. Think Usain Bolt and Mo Farrah, both brilliant runners but probably not in their comfort zone in each other’s distances.
Interesting research but the journalist has made a mistake. The optimum isn't 1-2.4 miles its 1-2.4 hours - so more probably more like 5 - 15 miles per week.
Hi there I had the same problem only my niece would come with me she is 20 years younger than me (me being 65). At first we ran together, but increasingly I noticed as time went on she was starting to run much quicker than I really felt comfortable at. Plus she would constantly talk to me and I had a hard job breathing at that point let along answer. It ended up with me really struggling whilst she ran ahead like a hare...shouting "come on aunty jenny let's go quicker" like a sergeant major. I love her to bits but decided I had to do things my pace. Run at your pace is my suggestion and you will feel so much more comfortable and that lovely pace of yours will get you a greater distance in the end...
I have the same issue. I convinced a friend to start running with me; she was way fitter to start with and overtook me almost instantly. She now runs regular park runs and attempts to beat her time each week - I’ve created a monster! 😉
I now run on my own; I felt it was having a negative effect on me as I constantly compared myself to her, and came up lacking every time! So much happier plodding on at my own pace.
no just how you feel...it is demoralising and made me feel like I was almost going at snail pace I sometimes think she was totally oblivious to the gasping and lack of breath and would sometime ask "sorry what did you say?" and I would have to get the oxygen to repeat it again aahhhh...so here I am a lone runner doing things my way. We both run different days now due to work time haha...BUT we both decided to enter a 5k run next month for our hospice in memory of her dear mum and my lovely sister so I am going to have to be honest and tell her to go ahead as I really do not want to hold her up
The mantra on c25k is to run at easy conversation pace. So you are doing the right thing in keeping it slow. My husband is now using my slower pace at the beginning of runs to help him increase his distance. Your friend might realise that she needs to do the same. Enjoy the programme, it really works, whatever your age 🏃♀️🏃♀️👏🏻👏🏻
Slow works for me! I honestly doubt I will ever run 5k in 30 minutes but I’m a happy plodder and would rather cover a decent, longer distance than push myself to run faster which I don’t think I would enjoy. It’s all about finding your happy pace. When I finish my run I like feeling I could carry on for another 5/10 minutes rather than thinking there’s nothing left in the tank and I’m about to collapse! Best of luck x
There are tortoises and hares, and age is only one factor in the mix. I have always had long term stamina rather than early speed (not only in running but in most physical activities.) So I too go with the group wisdom of “Run your own run, not anyone else’s.” Up the tortoise team! We also are true runners! 🐢🎉😊
You sound like you've got it sorted just as you are, your friend is happy to loop back so you've got a working solution that suits you both. As your body strengthens, you will probably find that you gradually get faster anyway, and there's no need to push any harder if you don't want to. I ran with a friend through her c25k, and she was much slower than me at first, so I also did the looping back thing. But she has me beat when it comes to distance, she's already reached 10k and I'm still working up to it. She's younger than me. She's getting faster too!
I've heard it's an age thing. In your sixties, me too, it takes longer to get going - I find the first 10 minutes are hard and then I get into a rhythm and can do the extra push at the end. Don't feel pressured, go at what's right for you
Do not worry about speed we are all different. Much of what we do is a psycological battle, you may find if she is set on 30 mins that may be her cut off. I am on Bridge to 10 at the moment and my cut of is always the distance, I never feel like more, but there is an extra K each week, I seem to manage it! Don't overthink, you are in the top few % of the country doing what you do so in my book you are an elite athlete already!
Given that we are not in any competition, all you do is do your own thing, there is no fast or slow here, only fun. You will naturally speed up as you grow stronger but definition of that 'speed' will only be yours.
Why are we so different? Well, genes, perhaps? Talent? Body shapes? Hours put in? Ultimately, we are all unique and that's all that matters. Don't be concerned about how others run.
I did 23andme and found out that genetically, I have no fast twitch muscle. I can't go fast. But I can run for a long time, like you. We're all genetically different. I'm 62 in Boston looking for a running buddy.
My foster mum and I go for runs (I'm 18 and she's 59) and she always goes faster than me at the beginning because she's been running for 30 years or so, but depending on the day I may go faster than her at the end of the run. To be honest as long as you're doing it it doesn't matter the pace or who's going faster than you
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Slow running for the ❤️ of it! 
How slow is too slow for a 5k?
W9 and still very slow
I run ridiculously slow...
Slow, slow, not so slow, slow.
