Week 7 run 2 am I slow???

[shazhaz]

Have just completed week 7 run 2. Thought I would see how far I could go in 25mins and managed 1 1/2 miles...is this slow or really slow. I feel great that I've come this far, 7 weeks ago would never have believed I could have done it. Can anyone let me know how they have done and should I be going faster at this stage.

[ca66ie99 Graduate]

I think you have to concentrate on the fact that you have run 25 mins in total. As you say, 7 weeks ago you would never have thought or believed that you could have done this.

I managed to run about 2.4 miles in 25 mins today although I have run faster on a previous run. It could have been that today wasn't the perfect run but I think that at the moment that when I run for 30 mins I won't be hitting the 5k mark.

I would concentrate on the length of time you can run and perhaps the distance comes second. Once you are hitting the 30 mins mark regularly then you can work on stepping up your speed using the other podcast or if you run the same route then trying to run a little further each time.

I am also going to run a 5k race to give me a marker time of how fast (or slow) it takes me and then I can work on getting faster. Hope that helps - be very proud of yourself that you can run for 25 mins

[7ermintrude Graduate]

I was asking the same question last week.. and everyone has convinced me it's time not distance at the moment! Keep going and embrace the snails pace

[gdeann Graduate]

Great advice given! I graduate this week and am no way near 5K. We are all different ages, height, weights etc. That can affect our pace. Just keep running!!!!

[suki_007 Graduate]

Don't worry about distance at the moment - I was really concerned at one time that I wasn't fast enough (fast enough for what I wasn't really sure!) but now my speed and distance are growing slowly but very surely and I'm astonished at how much easier it all is. Keep going as you are and don't worry, the other stuff will come.

[Pelephant Graduate]

Absolutely agree with what everyone else says. Just you keep going. You are doing really well. Please don't compare yourself to anyone else.

[Hidden]

Two nights ago I ran 3.2k in 25 minutes, which is almost 2 miles. I felt like I was flying, but I was passed by every other runner I came across. Speed, like size, doesn't matter.

[Mrs_Miggins Graduate]

I graduated back in April and I STILL haven't quite been able to run the full 5k in 30 minutes! There's approx 130metres or so left that keeps eluding me! BUT................. and here's the thing........ I'm ever so slowly (and it is slow) improving. It might only be 5 or 10 metres more at a time but it's improvement none the less! I have a circular route that I run and I get an idea of whether it will be a good or a bad run by the 5 minute markers Laura gives (yes, I'm still repeating week 9 after all these months!) I also know exactly where a 5 km run should end. What I try and do is set goals. ie Last week I could only manage to get to this point so I try my best the next week to aim beyond it even if it is only a few metres more. It doesn't always work. Some runs are better than others but I've noticed that the places where I used to finish running when I graduated are way behind me now and reaching those old distances aren't a problem anymore, even on a bad run day.

I think you just have to accept the fact that you're a little slower than other runners and work with it. That's what I did. It still embarrasses the life out of me when I see another runner bouncing along, looking like they've only just stepped out of the house and there's me, puce in the face, puffing and panting like an old goat! BUT.................. I'd rather be out there, puffing and panting, however slow it may be, and getting that exercise than sitting at home with my feet up on the couch thinking about it! You keep going and doing what you're doing! Time and speed are unimportant. You're still getting fit doing it!

[arablue]

There's some fab advice above!

I did wk7r1 today and was slowly shuffling along as usual, especially on the last uphill bit. I use map my walk so I know how far I go, and my average pace. When I did my last run I was really pleased with the achievement but gave myself a hard time about being slow. Why are we so hard on ourselves?

Today I ran with my own music (in the pouring rain!) and was quicker again. It's only a few seconds each time, but I am sure that as my body gets used to the fact I am making it do this thing, my stamina and strength will increase enabling me to get faster. Everyone overtakes me at the moment. I even struggled to overtake a man walking his dog the other day! But I will get there, and so will you!!

We are all different ages, sizes, weights etc. and will all be doing things differently. We need to remember (me too) that a few weeks ago, running for one minute was a challenge. We are now doing great things at our many varied paces, strides, and styles.

[shazhaz]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragment, it is really helpful.....will continue on. I must admit I have become addicted to this running lark loving the benefits just wish I'd started years ago.