Am I too slow

[HS1965]

Hi

I graduated last year and was really disappointed as after week 9 run 3 I realised a was only running 3k and not 5k. Anyway with lots of advice from the group and people stating it should probably be called C2 30 minutes I accepted the new title 🤣and carried on but only managing to run 5k once and god I felt it. Then I hurt my hip in summer and have only just managed to start running again In January but found it really hard so I started C25K again from week 4.

Tonight I did week 7 run 1 and carried on a bit more and ran 4K. I did find it quite hard but I managed it. Whether I will ever be able to run 5k I don’t know, but can anyone tell me please am I running too slow. It took me 30 mins to run 4K

Thanks

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Not at all! That's a 37 minute parkrun 😁 Keep going. As you increase your distance, your pace will improve too 👍🏽

[Speedy60 Graduate]

There is no such thing as too slow. As Tasha99 says, that's a very respectable parkrun.

The more I've got into this running lark, the more I've realised you have to do a lot of slow miles to get any quicker. As someone said yesterday, embrace the snail.🐌

[Rigpig Graduate]

Nope, you are doing great

I graduated a month ago and my longest run is still 4.7Km in 39 minutes, I'm improving every week though and expect I'll hit 5k this month. Then I'll have a benchmark to work to!

I think the time moving is what counts, everything else should fall into place over time

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

NO WAY!

I don’t think I will ever run a 5km in 30 mins, but I love running. I embrace my pace now but I will be honest it took me a while to be proud of what I can do. This forum is great for helping to build the confidence you need to be happy and content with your pace and it is one of the most liberating things you can learn on your running journey. I go out enjoy my runs, work towards my own goals and as long as I am bettering my own goals I’m happy with my running. Happy running. Rfc x

[runwithdog Graduate]

you are doing great.

it is all too easy to compare yourself to others.

[LittleIreland Graduate]

Running uphill apparently helps with speed, and stamina.

[Piaffesal Graduate]

I’d ask yourself the question ‘too slow for what?’ or ‘for who?’

Are you too slow to be competitive in races? Yes!

Are you too slow to reap the benefits of 30 minutes of exercise? No!

So what are you running for? I’d suggest you are doing just fine and actually, you

could argue you are doing MORE for your health than the people running 5k in 20 mins as you are exercising for longer...😀

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well actually, I am sorry to tell you that you are running much too slowly.

If you want to be in the next Olympic squad, then........... go faster.

If you want to break any world records then ................go faster.

If you want to minimise injury risk..............stay slow.

If you want to appreciate your surroundings and enjoy every run..........stay slow.

If you want to live longer.........stay slow womensrunning.com/culture/s...

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Love that. Wise words, as always.

[mandy167 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

This has just made my day I had to take a year out of running after having ankle surgery I back and just doing week 6 I think my self lucky just to be back I not quick but I running

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

4k in thirty minutes, absolutely fine 😊

I had to redo the c25k and finished at about the same speed as you. Just carry on with the program, and once you've finished week 9 try parkrun. But don't push yourself too hard at this point, build up slowly, stay injury-free. Once you can run 5k you can consolidate at that distance and your speed will naturally increase as you get stronger.

But be warned, that 30 minute 5k might remain hard to get. (I still haven't managed it, but I got close once 😁)

[HS1965]

Hi everyone, Thanks for your all your advice. I will just keep going and enjoying it. I am not looking to run 5k in 30 mins as i don t think i will ever be able to do that (i was just checking my speed was ok), but maybe one day i will be able to run 5k and keep it up. Thanks again guys x