Running speed

[NicR115]

Just finished wk6 so now doing 25 mins runs. I know I’m slow at the minute but what is an acceptable running speed. Just wondering how much faster I should be going. This is my run this morning (it includes my warm up/cool down walk).

[runforfun_ Graduate]

I think if there’s anything I’ve learnt from this forum, it’s that everyone’s pace is different and that there’s definitely no ‘ideal’ pace to aim for. If it helps, I’ve seen people on here that are both faster and slower that what you’re doing so as long as you’re running at a pace where you can keep up a conversation, I’d say you’re doing amazing!! Congrats on finishing W6🥳🥳x

[NicR115 Graduate in reply to runforfun_]

Thanks

[Kazzer40 Graduate]

Just done my first run week 9 8.39 pace so your doing great!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

There is no too slow only too many hours on the couch, don’t push your speed please or you risk injury and if you read a few posts of people who spend weeks on the IC with sprained ankles or sore knees or hips you realise you don’t want to join them

But to put it in perspective a year ago in the beginning we were happy with a speed of under 12 by week 6 we were running about 10 so way slower than you, Today after just over a year of running my second kilometre was 7.55 so slow progress but woo hoo we have been out there and run

[Tap_per]

In my opinion if you're going to get anything meaningful from looking at your pace it is to compare yourself over time not to others. Even then though it really doesn't matter if your pace doesn't "improve" - unless you're planning on running competitively!

And great job completing week 6 👍

[SingsAndRuns Graduate]

I graduated on Monday and you're running faster than me!

Remember the goal is to get safely to 30 minutes of running. Distance and speed are secondary to that. In time you may increase both if you want to, but the plan is just to get to 30m, and if you do that without injury you will have succeeded

Well done- enjoy week 7! x

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

An acceptable pace is simply the pace you run at. Fitness level, age, sex, physiology and genetics all influence our theoretical maximum speed, but the simple fact is, so long as you're running and you're enjoying it, you're doing it right.

There are only two real measures for recreational runners like us, how long we can run for and how far we can run. Speed is simply the relationship between those two and will vary from run to run depending on mood, weather, surface, motivation and a host of other factors.

Just find your "happy" pace and run at that. You will probably notice it gets faster over time even without trying as you build up strength, stamina and fitness.

[John_W Graduate]

This is an acceptable 'speed' and should be followed by most beginners:

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...(Not working as expected?)

[Dolphin-Girl]

I'm aiming for the speed of fast walking for myself. I think the running is more important than the speed.

[vivh61 Graduate]

I did week 6 run 3 today and my average pace was 10:20, so to me you are a veritable hare! As far as I'm concerned, an acceptable speed is one which enables you do do the run without knackering yourself and having to stop and walk. Everyone is different, so just keep going and enjoy the course, and if you want to get quicker, factor in a bit of speedwork in your training once you've graduated.