Need to keep going slow

[SquishyBean]

So I did the first 30 min run today, and I optimistically thought I'd try going at a slightly faster pace, because I used to run 5k in under 30 minutes with no problem. It was going ok and I wasn't feeling exhausted or out of breath, but then around the 13 minute mark I started to get a sharp pain in my chest.

Now, after I stopped running (about 4 years ago I think), I tried starting it up again a year later and found that I was getting this same pain. There were a few other reasons to be concerned about my heart at the time, so got an echo of my heart done and the cardiologist said it was functioning beautifully and the pain was probably from over exertion (trying to run too fast/far too quickly).

So anyway, when I got this pain again today, it reminded me that, as much as I'd like to be running 5k in 30 mins, I have to listen to what my body is telling me, and clearly 13 minutes at that pace is my body's current limit. I slowed right down, but kept going and managed to finish the whole 30 minutes, which I'm really pleased about, but still slightly annoyed that my body said no, as it was going really well until that point!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Stepping up duration and pace on the same run is certainly not to be recommended.

Take it steady.

Speed will come in time.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

30 minutes non stop is an amazing achievement, I think so anyway. So for now you can't go faster but just being able to run is good. Well done you 😊

[tiggs1 Graduate]

Don't be disheartened by going slow, you are achieving great things in running for 30 minutes 👍

[shrinkingjaz Graduate]

It's all about building that strength band endurance up. It's frustrating but rewarding!

[allyjo_82 Graduate]

Build your pace when your confortable with the 30 minutes and do it slowly. Im a few weeks out of graduation, not running close to 5k (never ran 5k in my life) but im getting there. Mixing short quick runs with longer slower runs. If im going to up my pace i leave it till the second half of my run. X

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

You got through it.👍🏻 Your heart is a muscle, like others it needs time to adjust to these news demands, I'm pretty sure you'll see improvements in speed and stamina in time.

We always forget it took us quite a while to lose fitness in the first place, we can't expect to regain it overnight (unfortunately!) 🤣