Snail's pace :( Just taken 25 mins + 5 mins wa... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Snail's pace :( Just taken 25 mins + 5 mins walk 2 do 3.95km...is there hope of my improving & yes i know at least i'm running but de-motiva

SloMo profile image
19 Replies
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SloMo profile image
SloMo
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19 Replies
Anonymous36 profile image
Anonymous36Graduate

You'll get there, honestly! I was exactly the same and eventually i got better at it. Keep at it :)

H123 profile image
H123Graduate

I still dont know whether what speed that is, but surely its still a great achievement. I jog so slowly that when a friend said she saw me speed walking the other day, Im not sure if she ment my walking or jogging bit! Running for 25 minutes is a major feat in itself and speed will come with stamina and fitness-at least thats what I say to myself at the mo. Good luck

Innuendo profile image
InnuendoGraduate

You do realise that as soon as you turn that 5 minute warm up into 35 minute running that you'll easily be doing 5k, no?! That is a great pace for a beginner. You should be chuffed with that!!! :-)

RhonaL profile image
RhonaL

Stop bashing yourself up! Great time for a start - as your muscles will continue to get stronger and as your stamina builds up you will speed up. Keep on chugging ...

Mirella profile image
MirellaGraduate

You are faster than me! I run for 32 minutes to get to 4k. Don't worry about your speed at the moment, you can work and speed and distance once you finish the plan. I am just about to start the 10k plan but will also add in shorter tempo runs to increase my speed.

You are doing brilliantly to get this far. Like you, I get demotivated when people on around week 2 post about running for 2 hours, because they can, and cover 50k (ok so maybe I exaggerate a bit but...). These people are either younger, slimmer or fitter (or all of the above) to begin with, Its easier for them but tougher for the rest of us. Trouble is we expect to be superfast within a week of starting. Its a sport, it takes time and practice to get faster/longer runs. If it didn't we would all be running marathons at Usain Bolt speed :)

So don't let it demotivate you, remember where you have come from and where you are going to. This is your journey not a race with everyone one else. Good luck and lets see that green badge soon.

RhonaL profile image
RhonaL in reply to Mirella

Totally agree. Easy to get caught up in the speed / distance thing but I'm doing this for my health.

Minuette profile image
MinuetteGraduate in reply to Mirella

Completely agree Mirella, I also get caught up in everyone else's speed etc on here, but there are factors which we don't know about (age, weight etc) which can all be taken into account. It's our own personal journey that matters, no-one else's, hard for me to remember that sometimes! :)

happierswimming profile image
happierswimmingGraduate

this is still faster than me! There isn't a "correct" speed, just what makes you feel you've put in effort. As time goes on, it will become easier to go faster with the same amount of effort that you are currently making. Keep on going and keep blogging- we're all waiting to know how you improve, and you will.

SloMo profile image
SloMo

Blimey guys! Thank you so very much - i really felt fed up this morning and lost a little perspective i think, you've really helped me to see it differently and thank you so much for the time and trouble in responding and supporting me :0)

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

SloMo you are not slow so stop beating yourself up for no reason at all and just get on with enjoying the programme. Good luck too.

I've been running for 21 weeks now. In Wk6 a mile took around 13.5 min, in Wk9 it was 12 mins and now I run 10.5 min miles over a full 5k - and I haven't pushed myself to speed up, I'm just fitter and finding my natural pace :)

When I think I'm slow, I remind myself that back when I started it took me three goes before I could complete the eight runs in Wk1.....

blueboots profile image
bluebootsGraduate

I think I graduated about three months ago now and run 3 times most weeks but my fastest has been about 36 minutes to cover 5K so I think you are doing pretty good. You will get there but there is no hurry, just build up your stamina and aim to feel good running for a whole 30minutes first. :)

Always remember too that no matter how slowly you run, you're lapping that bloke on the couch....

in reply to

This is going to be my mantra, I love that thought.

sounfit profile image
sounfitGraduate in reply to

love this......i'm week 9 and still on a 'bouncy walk', but at least i'm out and trying!

Minuette profile image
MinuetteGraduate

Keep going, remember to enjoy it (I also have trouble with that one!! )

You're doing really well :)

keepntabs profile image
keepntabsGraduate

I run very slow also, but right now my goal is stamina. I recently joined a fitness bootcamp, and ALL of the others run faster than me. However, I am undaunted and stick to my steady pace. What I do notice is by the time we have to do a third or fourth run, many of them are now only walking, but I am still trotting along. To me it is better to complete the run at a slower pace than to resort to walking because I burned myself out earlier. I know and you will see that as your stamina builds up so will your pace.

Right now I chant, "Snail's pace increases will power".

AnnaJ profile image
AnnaJGraduate

i now cover just over4k in the 30 mins (am graduating tomorrow)and i was really over the moon with that speed and time! so obviously it's just a question of how you're looking at it and i am remembering that 12 weeks ago, i could not go upstairs to get something out my bedroom without being out of breath when i came down again. i know people who have been running marathons and they have told me that for a new runner, my speed is quite respectable, so you should feel proud of yourself- I DO!!!

Nix1970 profile image
Nix1970

I did 2.6km in 25mins, so you're faster than me. I felt demoralized when I realized how slow I was, but will keep going no matter what. I'm just so proud to have got so far. I think you're doing a cracking job!

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