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Original poster

Any other slow runners?

31 replies

SamuelWestsMistress · 24/04/2013 18:18

I've been running since January and my god I am so SLOW! It's mightily frustrating. I'm not greatly large (about 12 1/2 stone and 5'9) so I don't think it's down to that.

I can't seem to get anything under about 35/36 minutes for a 5km. There have been a few freak runs where I managed 32 minutes but I have no idea how or why, so have just deleted them from memory.

How do you other slow runners feel? I have a race on the weekend and I'm dreading being one of the last.

OP posts:
Original poster
SamuelWestsMistress · 24/04/2013 18:18

Oh and my 10km is about 1.20

OP posts:
PiggyPlumPie · 24/04/2013 18:54

I am slow too!!

My 10K time is around 1 hr 15 on a good day!! I don't care how fast other folk go. Is it a large race, with lots of entrants?? If so, there will be loads of people at your pace or even slower.

I think we do better than fast runners because we are out on the course for longer!!

Good luck for the weekend!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 24/04/2013 18:55

Me, me! Can't stop now but will post again later.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 24/04/2013 19:51

Right, I'm back. I did C25K a couple of years ago and was only managing about 40 mins at the end of it, I did some further work and got myself down to about 35 mins, but never managed any faster.

About a year ago I developed a prolapse and had to stop running entirely. I had a surgical repair in Sept and was warned not to run for at least 3 months afterwards. I got the go ahead from my gynae physio again in Mar but was told to keep it slow and as low impact as possible. I then twisted my ankle (in the swimming pool!) and had another month off, but started back again at Easter.

So, currently I am jogging at the very slow speed of 3km in 30 mins. Which is very slow indeed. It gets me breathing hard and leg muscles working, so it is fine for me to go out and do, but I do feel too self conscious to go in races, or join a running club. I enquired about my local one but they said 30 mins for 5k was about their starting level. I have looked up the times for my local Parkrun and no one is anywhere near that slow. However we have a local monthly run which is not timed and has 3 differing length circuits, so I am going to start doing that one and hope no one notices my lack of speed too much. I don't intend to ever go further than 5k to minimise risk to my pelvic floor but I would like to increase speed gradually.

HeySoulSister · 25/04/2013 09:25

I'm slow too! 36 mins so far on a measured 5k course

I joined a running club tho and there is lots if advice there, and our course involves hills!

Mitchy1nge · 25/04/2013 09:41

I am slow too but not on purpose, running/training with a seasoned long distance runner who (and I'm sure he's right) is all 'slow down slow down' and obsessed with 12 minute mile pace - I can pretty much walk at that speed! So 5k takes us nearly half an hour, but am not worried about speed so much as increasing fitness and distance. Am entering a race next month and I don't think I'll mind being last and getting the biggest cheers Grin

Original poster
SamuelWestsMistress · 25/04/2013 18:57

I managed a 10k in 1:18:04 today. Not much in the way of hills involved though! I think my greatest issue is with hills. I can run up them but probably at most people's walking pace.

Interesting what you say about the 12 minute mile though Mitchy. Makes me feel slightly less miserable!

OP posts:
PiggyPlumPie · 26/04/2013 11:36

I ran a few London Marathons before children and the best piece of advice I was given was start slow and then slow down.

It works for me!! Think of all the non-runners we are inspiring. They must see us and think that they can do it!

Mitchy1nge · 26/04/2013 12:47

yes my running chum (he does crazily long runs, like 40 miles) is obsessed with slowing my pace, it's fine because I think I can go further that way and am running for fun and fitness not competitively although he is a foot taller than me and looks hilarious running at that speed

I really don't fancy doing v long distances though, am quite pleased with my feeble 8-12 outdoor miles a week, I worry about wear and tear on my elderly joints

HeySoulSister · 26/04/2013 13:23

i'm disappointing myself evertime! i'm going to run the 5k course with no hills. its used for parkrun so should be better....might try and increase up to 10k as well.

getting so fed up!!

AngelsWithSilverWings · 26/04/2013 13:37

The fastest I've ever run a 5k is 29mins and that was because I as doing the race for life and my sponsorship was based on me challenging myself to do it in under 30min. I trained with a friend to get my time down.

Now I average around 35 mins but before I did the race for life it would have been 40.

I've tried to speed up but then I just can't keep going.

To be honest I'm just really proud of myself that I can run 5k ( and sometimes more) without stopping. I'm 43 and started running just before I turned 40. Before that I couldn't have run to the end of the road.

MelanieCheeks · 26/04/2013 13:42

The only person you have to beat when running is the little voice in your head saying you can't do it.

I do a weekly Parkrun, which is a timed 5km circuit. I've got my time down from over 35 mins to 31.15. I did a 10k last year in 1hr 15. Did the same race this year in 1hr 03. I've accepted that I'll never be on the winners podium (though I've once or twice been the only one first in my age category at Parkruns)

I think it's nice to have a challenging goal. When I finally manage to run my 5 k in under 30 mins, what will I have to look forward to, eh?

Original poster
SamuelWestsMistress · 03/05/2013 08:16

I'm now actually thinking of giving up completely. It's just ridiculous how slow I am. I have a 10k race in a few weeks and with my time being 1:18 I'm going to be one of the slowest there. I've had enough of this. I am even too slow to join a running club! Nothing I do can make me faster and it's just embarrassing, so I think I'm done.

OP posts:
AuntFini · 03/05/2013 08:21

Oh no don't give up! I'm also a slow runner, takes me 40mins to do 5k (very slow). I recently ran a half marathon (very slowly) and found it fine but I was surrounded by people walking and I was jogging! Haha. I don't care at all though, sometimes people about faster at me when I'm out running but I don't care, I'd like to see other people try it! As long as I can make the distance I don't mind the speed. The only thing I do mind at runs is people shouting and cheering you on because you're at the end and telling you that 'you can do it, don't stop'-- I always smile but inside think yes I know I can do it, I'm not finding it difficult I'm just very slow!!

AuntFini · 03/05/2013 08:21

Shout, not about

CoteDAzur · 03/05/2013 08:22

5K in around 30 minutes doesn't sound so slow to me. I think you are being too hard on yourselves.

If you want to speed up, though: Have you tried sprinting in intervals? That is, run as fast as you can for 20 seconds, then run at your usual pace for 40 seconds, and repeat. Next time, sprint for 30 secs & run for 30 secs, etc. It really works to increase your running speed.

Bumply · 03/05/2013 08:26

Don't give up!
It's not about where you place, it's about doing something that you enjoy that gives a sense of accomplishment.
I too am slow. First 10k was 1:18, first 5k 39min.
I joined a running club and go on the evening where they cater for the slower ones and its helped improve my speed so I got a PB on my 10k of 1:06 and I managed a parkrun of 30 minutes in a never to be achieved again fluke (they had pacers that day). I do half marathons and the odd trail run where I come at the back of the field, but that doesn't matter to me as long as I feel I've done the best that I could.

LifeofPo · 03/05/2013 08:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BistoBear · 03/05/2013 08:29

If you have an iPhone or a smart phone I can recommend the Runkeeper app, it has running programs that will increase your speed. Involves doing sprints and fartlek so it is a tough training session but very effective. I brought my 5k time down from 31 mins to 28 mins in just a few weeks. Like someone else said above, I know I'll never be on the podium but I am happy to see an improvement in speed :)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 03/05/2013 09:05

I use Runkeeper, but just bung it on when I set off and look at it at the end, I don't listen to it as I go round (don't like running with earphones in). I did use it properly when I did C25K though. I'm happy at my current speed TBH, even if it is only 6km/hour, given my various injuries and stuff I would be unwise to up the speed/impact too much anyway. I'm just happy to be out there at all.

CelticPromise · 03/05/2013 09:08

Marking place on the slow runners thread Smile

LifeofPo · 03/05/2013 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 03/05/2013 10:05

I'm slow.

I've been running about 3 years and have never really got any quicker. I did a marathon and still haven't got any quicker.

I've decided I'm built for distance rather than speedGrin

Don't give up, really! If you enjoy running, that's the reason to do it. Someone has to come at the backGrin If you really want to try and get faster, you need to do some faster stuff. Push yourself really hard over a shorter distance of maybe 400m or 800m ( faster over the shorter distance) then rest and go again a few times with maybe 2-3 minutes rest time. D this maybe once a week and go slower on your other runs.

I hate speed training so tend to avoid it and I accept I'm just a slow runner. I like hills though so I tend to regard them as my speed workConfused

BsshBossh · 03/05/2013 13:43

I'm slow too, but I enjoy it so much and my heart rate is sufficiently elevated during a run that I don't care.

But I understand where you're coming from if you have a race to aim for (I don't).

Sorry couldn't be more helpful, just wanted to declare my love of running - fast or slow Grin.

HeySoulSister · 03/05/2013 17:27

my running club trainer has increased my distance,she says then you become quicker.....soi'm working at 6k,then 7k....when all I want to do is 5k in less than 30 mins

also,small fast steps for speed

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