Very very slow

[Pinkhoodie]

I’ve very recently graduated, I can now run for 30 minutes without stopping. I’m loving this new found skill.

But, I’m very very slow. I mean embarrassingly slow. I do just over 2 miles in the 30 minutes, 2.5 if you add on my warm up and cool down walks.

Am I right to tell myself it doesn’t matter at this point in time? Jogging 2 miles is still pretty good for someone who was a total couch potato, right? Only I’d like to think I could eventually do park run.

I’ve told myself once I’ve done the 30 minutes comfortably for a few weeks, I’ll work on my speed by doing intervals of faster running with my slow jogging and build on that. Maybe mixed with one longer run per week.

[George24]

Well done!! I’m still a newbie but yes I think it’s less about distance and more just now about getting the body used to the movement? Sounds like a good plan 😃

[2718281 Graduate]

Hi Pinkhoodie, that's more or less my speed too... I graduated end of June and I've been doing consolidation runs since then, then holidays and now I'm going to start a 5k training to either run longer or faster or a bit of both... But I'm not worried about the numbers, I'm only starting the training to keep me motivated. I'll be using Garmin's training (I have a Garmin watch, but you don't need it to schedule the training), I've also checked the one from polar, both are free so maybe you want to have a look at those

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate]

As long as you’re putting effort in why worry?? Your doing great! Continue with a consistent amount of effort and the results will look after themselves ☺️

Well done 👏👏x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It sounds to me that you have got it just about right.

The commonest situation for recreational runners is that they do not spend enough time running at an easy conversational pace (80%) and then they do not push hard enough when doing intervals or fartlek.

I believe that pace builds naturally as you get more miles on your legs, simply because your body continues adapting and developing.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Nothing embarrassing about being able to run 2 miles. How many other people where you live are up and out running for 30 minutes non stop 3 times a week. You should be so proud of yourself . The more you keep running the stronger and fitter you will get . Sometimes a quicker pace or longer distance just happens naturally. Well done you 😊😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Your future plan is about right... but I’d go one speed session in 6 or more runs instead of one in three.

Your current running is far from embarrassingly slow, it’s great training. Have a read of this mensrunninguk.co.uk/top-fea... for some more of the science behind what IannodaTruffe said above.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It really doesn't matter. You're running for 30 minutes!

Nope... let's try again... you're RUNNING for 30 MINUTES! 👍🏻😁

You're only bloody running! When did you previously run for 30 mins? 😉🤣

You're doing great. Yes, your speed will absolutely improve so don't get hung up on that. For now, give yourself some credit.

My certificate is still on my fridge from last March and the one I made myself for completing 500 miles by end of Dec. I still sometimes stare at them an think... yep, I've made changes, I've done good and I'm going places! 💫

[Hidden]

There's NOTHING embarrassing about what you're doing! And you can do Parkrun now, they'd love to have you there.

That sounds like a good plan... You're welcome in the bridge to 10k forum anytime you like, we'd love to have you there. If you're talking about long runs, tempo, recovery, intervals, hill training.. that's a good place to be.

[JaoJao]

Hi Pinkhoodie! I think I had the same distance when I graduated! It really does not matter at this stage because you will improve, small

Steps at a time but this journey is a long haul journey and I’m still

Enjoying it 2 months on.

I am keen to know how you will work on speed because I need help and advice with this, there’s lots of advice out there. Please Continue to share your journey!

And you are ready for Parkrun! No one is ever last because there are Tailwalkers to come last. I moved onto park run straight after graduation! You can walk the remainder after 30 mins, no shame in that at all!

[Pinkhoodie Graduate]

Thank you so much for such supportive and encouraging posts. This is a fantastic forum.

I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned on here that my 11 year old son has done the whole couch to 5k thing with me. He’s been brilliant.

Another successful jog this evening, as a faster runner whizzed past us I laughed at how slow I am. My son said “oh mum, he’s probably been doing it years, we are new runners”. Then we chatted about how far we’ve come over the weeks.

He’s such a good lad even if he drives me up the wall at times. I wouldn’t have done it without him.