Are some people just slow runners?

I'm naturally pretty slow, I dont really see it as a problem.
I dont run because I need to get somewhere quickly, I do it for the various mental and physical benefits and on the score slow running works for me.

mechanical stress to the musculo-skeletal system is (I think?) generally lower with slower running.

Im' a slow runner, it takes me about 34 minutes to do 5k and I've been doing it 3 times a week for about 2 years now. I don't massively push myself though, just work to finish the course.

I got a Garmin for my birthday and would like to build up to 10k, but should probably get a bit faster and stronger first. Have heard that High Intensity Interval Training works well for building fitness, like Dooble described

It depends what you want to get out of it. If you're just running for sanity and peace and quiet or whatever, then carry on plodding. Its entirely up to you. At least you're still doing it!

bestof - 26 minutes is bl**dy fast, those scooters must have motors on :)

hideandsqueak - I started running nearly 6 years ago (at the ripe old age of 46) and for the first 3 years I ran at about 11:30 a mile regardless of distance - 5k or 13.1 miles! I pottered along and loved it.
Then, for no reason I could fathom, I started to speed up a bit. This summer I finally joined a running club and running with others has really pushed me. I did a half marathon in 2:12 which is about 10:15 a mile and can do 5k in 26:52 (parkrun PB last week)

So advice - parkrun, parkrun, parkrun (no scooters allowed just ignore the zippy child runners :)) and find a friendly, all-abilities-welcome club (lots do beginners courses which are great). Other than that just enjoy it, being fast isn't everything.

I used to run at about 10.30 a mile, I can now average under 9 mins (just) for 3 miles, I used to think I'd never get faster.

I got faster when I was half marathon training and had an interval session each week. It was generally 10 min warm up, run as fast as you can for 1 1/2 mins run slowly for 1 min repeat x number of times then 10 mins cool down

It was amazing the session after this was always a run for 35 mins and each week I got faster.

You might be able to find some kind of programme for doing this with a bit of googling.

Good luck.

Get a Garmin and push yourself to go faster each time if you're interested in improving your pace.

How long does it take you to run 5k? I can do it in about 26 minutes which isn't a terrible time and I'd be overtaken by small childen on scooters at that pace.