Running 5K

[Ellliesmithh]

Hi! I ran a 5.5K yesterday in 42 minutes and I was just wondering how on earth people are able to do it in 30 minutes or under? I didn’t think I was going too slow but maybe I am, has anyone got any tips as I’d like to be able to run it that fast however I have a naturally slow-ish pace I suppose

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on running your first 5K in 42 minutes, perhaps the next time you will be able to run a 5K in less than 40 minutes.

Over all ages, on average runners run the 5K distance in around 28/29 minutes, even at a parkrun the overall average time is about 29 minutes, my average time is around 33 minutes, of course there are what we call "gazelles" who can run a 5K sub 25 minutes or even sub 20 minutes BUT the main thing irrespective of time is for you to enjoy the run. 🏃🏾

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Well done 👍

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Some people run 5k in under 15 minutes! I can find people out there who can jog past me whistling a happy tune while I’m going flat out... that can get depressing, but I choose not to let it. Likewise I can find people who are slower and I can jog past as they’re puffing and panting at maximum effort. That tends to make me remember starting C25K and how far I’ve come... and I tend not to run past them and take a diversion instead, just in case they let these things bother them.

There are many factors in our maximum pace, one is experience and we are relatively new runners, some people out there have never not been runners. Genetics play a part, diet, height (could be a mix of genes and diet there) fitness level, technique, age, weight, weight distribution, etc etc...

There’s really no point comparing yourself to anybody... unless they’re your age, gender, height, weight, shape, have been running just as long as you, and share your genes, and medical history... even in identical twins there will be differences there.

The Olympics have been postponed, you have another year to peak... or, if you’re not planning on being on the 5000m finals start line, you can just compare yourself to one other person... the you from before you did C25K... I’m thinking you’re much faster?! Maybe you can compare yourself in another few months to the you now... odds are you’ll be faster again... this can go on for a few years even though we started past our peak fitness age. You can have fun beating yourself on the stats for a while if you like that kind of thing... or, you can just run at your pace and smile because you’re enjoying being an awesome runner. People want to be better runners... faster isn’t necessarily better, longer isn’t either, a better runner is one who enjoys themselves more.

[Ellliesmithh in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much! I’ve definitely improved my technique a lot and am more consistent and faster in my pace than before, I only started running on the 5th May so a month today! It just amazes me how people do it but I’m just going to keep to doing a 5k every other day to get my confidence that I can do it without worrying or battling my head 😄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Ellliesmithh]

I get the same when I see a guy driving his car around town... a beautiful black Lamborghini... like an elite runner it’s a wonder to behold... but I look at how low it is, and how difficult those cars are to get in and out of, and I realise that even if I had all the money on the world, I wouldn’t drive one... I’m past all that... wouldn’t mind the comfort of a Rolls Royce though... and that’s how I run... comfortably, with my head held high, smiling at how lucky I am to be doing it.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

2 years on , I still can’t do a 30 minute 5k. But I still love running. 🏃‍♀️❤️

[Alasdair87 Graduate]

Last 3 weeks been doing consolidation runs managed 5k in 41 mins on first run then 40 then my last one 36. Just trying to enjoy it rather than become obsessed in doing it in 30mins! Well done though keep going 👏🏃🏻‍♀️

[Ellliesmithh in reply to Alasdair87]

Wow that’s amazing, I’m definitely just going to get confident that I can do a 5K no problem, and then I’ll think about speeding things up and pushing myself even more 🥳

[Silverfox1943 Graduate in reply to Ellliesmithh]

A year and a half on have not achieved a sub 30 min 5k. Best is 33mins, but not now trying and have moved on to 10k level. Just ran run1 of wk8 this morn of jujus plan. Doing time first ie. 60 mins then after do 10k.

Just to put things into perspective, in Feb my grandson's first race after injury he did 14mins 15secs. He can beat that now.

I just go at MY pace and enjoy the run.

I mix my distances but am enjoying the longer runs now.

Don't rush things and take your time.

[Ellliesmithh in reply to Silverfox1943]

Thank you, I’m definitely just going to go at my own pace and not worry about what other people are doing as it can be disheartening, just going to enjoy plodding along 😄

[Silverfox1943 Graduate]

Stay safe, stay INJURY FREE.

👍😎

[Shirley68]

Well done for running 5k. I wouldn’t worry about your time as it takes me 42 minutes to run 5k the same as you and I’m just so proud of myself for being able to run 5k without stopping as you should be. I think maybe the time gets better as you keep getting fitter. Just enjoy what you do.