Running slowly

Is there anything wrong in running slow?

[A_Lusher_Life]

Call it fast walking. Movement is movement. It's always better than nothing x

[Hidden in reply to A_Lusher_Life]

Yes it sure is, I have friends who always go on about their good times they are beating for 5k and I just literally stay at the same time!

[MoliJ Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I have friends like that too. Just enjoy your running. Your speed may increase naturally the more you run 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♂️

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Go watch the youtube video Japanese slow running or Niko Niko 😀A mile is a mile whether you sprint it or slow jog it

As a new runner you are much less likely to get an injury if you take it slow and steady

Run at a pace where you aren’t puffed out and can still say a sentence even though you will be breathing harder not gasping for breath

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

I do wonder if I should be pushing myself to speed up, as I get into a comfortable rhythm and just stay there.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You haven’t said yes what week you are on? And if you run in a comfortable rhythm why would you want to change anything ?

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks I did just watch the video and yes that's my pace slow and steady!

[Hidden]

Of course not! Nothing wrong in running fast either of course. Any kind of running is great and has massive benefits for mental and physical health.Try not to compare yourself to anyone else, it will make you miserable! Focus on your goals, what are you hoping to achieve? There are programmes to help you run further and those to increase speed. I run slowly but I am faster than I used to be and I can run a jolly long way.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that, my goals are keeping fitness levels up, I play hockey and need to keep up with the whipper snappers! 😁 plus I do get that euphoric feeling when I've finished a run, I feel I could go further but not faster, if that makes sense.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Many find that running further increases speed over shorter distances as your strength and stamina improve. I assume you have graduated, so carry on consolidating for a few weeks and you will find 5k becoming easier. Then try increasing distance by 10% on one run each week and you will notice your fitness gradually improving. Have fun!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

This is good to know thankyou, I will attempt 10k soon.

[MoliJ Graduate]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with running slow. I am not particularly fast. The fact that you are moving is what is important. Happy slow running 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to MoliJ]

Happy slow running to you too! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done.

We spend most of our time telling people to slow down.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Hidden]

Couple of years ago I also ran and I ran faster than I do now. I seriously disliked running. Now I restarted running a rough 2 months ago and I run SLOW, snail pace. But I now LIKE running! And I rather be running slow but liking it, than run fast and stop due to disliking it!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks blackscorpion I feel exactly the same, it's nice to know I'm not alone, it's better to be moving than sitting still.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I will never win a race, might very well be the last one should I ever participate in one. But so what? I am not in it for fame, I am in it to feel better ☺

[HeLuMaC25K Graduate in reply to Hidden]

BlackScorpion, I found the same. I felt like I should be trying to go faster and did, but I was out of breath and had that, ‘can I do this, go farther?’ feeling. Then I read on here somewhere that newbies go too fast. I slowed down and have felt great since then!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

No! It’s good for you! You build an aerobic base, it’s nicer, you get faster anyway and you need less recovery time so can actually run more!

[nowster Graduate]

If I'm doing just 1km, I'll go full pelt, then spend a minute or two catching my breath leaning on a low wall or a lamp post at the end. (Pace about 4½min/km)

If I'm doing run/walk intervals, the run parts are usually around the 5min/km pace. Then I have an equal distance to recover.

For medium distances (eg. 5km) I do a more measured pace, but still reasonably quick. I still needed a minute's breather at the end on Wednesday. (Pace was about 6min/km)

For longer distances, I'll deliberately slow down even more, so it's just a plodding jog. That way conserves energy, meaning you can run for an hour or more. On some stretches, especially hills, I'm barely any faster than a brisk walking pace. (Average pace about 7½-8min/km)

There's absolutely nothing wrong with running slowly. You have to run within your abilities. Mixing up the nature of the runs from day to day means you can experiment and be playful within those bounds.

Do what's comfortable most of the time, but with the occasional push outside your comfort zone.

[Hidden]

Thankyou, I do try to leave enough in the tank for a bit of a sprint finish....well its a sprint for me 😂