Thread for very slow runners 🥰

[GorgeousLadyofWrestling]

Just completed C25k a month or so ago and now aim to run 5k 3 times a week. I am suuuuuuuuuuper slow and getting down about it. All my friends seem to be around the 30-32 minute park whereas I am easily ten minutes more.

I find it so hard just completely a run and noticed I am starting to put pressure on myself to try to run faster. I have to really battle with myself not to just start walking, and sometimes I would swear I am actually just jogging on the spot 🤣 I’m trying to focus on the length of time/ the distance of run - not the speed. Two months ago, I never thought I’d be aiming for regular 5ks, even if they are a massive struggle.

Anyone else?

So good to hear about realistic 5k times. My average is 50 mins and that's when I'm trying really hard.

My main issue is that it's really hilly where I live for miles and miles. Our park run is the hilliest in the country apparently. It's quite challenging. I'm getting some flat routes together

I followed my youngest around on his bike today and it ended up being really stop start. But still really enjoyed it.

Thanks to PP for those age related times.

I'm going to get my gait analysed when I can.

Hi all. I did a 5k on Friday and aim to stay under 10m per km, so was happy with 49 and something as a time. I haven't run that far in a while, 3k is my usual but I've signed up for a 5 mile charity run at the end of March. Am in fact quite happy with virtual events, nobody to see if I walk a bit ( took an 0.1k walking break in the middle this time) or am just extremely slow.

Keep remembering that the only person you might be competing again is yourself. And it doesn’t have to be about going faster...maybe rather than aiming to do 5 k faster add 500m on at the same speed and build up distance. Or keep going sane distance/speed - whatever means you keep going out there and doing it! That’s the only challenge- to stick to it! Don’t pick targets that will demoralise you if you miss them - or physical exhaust you so you can’t go the next time!

What I find works is to decide before I leave the house whether I’m doing easy/hard (easy is shorter runs with walks between them), and whether I’m doing a 30/40/50/whatever minute program at that level. Set reasonable goals for how you feel that day - any run is better than giving up through a session that is too hard for how you are feeling (sleep/hormones etc)...

5k done today. Walked some of it but a better pace. Found a much flatter 5k which helped.

My personal target is to complete 5k without walking.

Ran the first 1.5k without stopping so want to get further next run.

Hope all are well and the weather isn't hampering people's plans.

So I tried something slightly different today. Went back to the very beginning of C25k- I think it was week one/ day two - where after a warm up, you’re supposed to walk for 1.5 minutes, then run for 1 minute, 8 times. Decided, somewhat insanely, to try jogging the warm up walk, jog the 1.5 minute “walking” intervals and try to run a little bit faster for the 1 minute “running” intervals.

It was a killer and I was knackered, and my overall time wasn’t much quicker because I was so tired, I slowed waaaaaay down towards the end. But it was an interesting mindset to find myself in - this more intentional approach of trying to be a little more quicker at times than just focusing on getting around.

My friend started running a year ago and regularly runs really quick 5ks. My hat goes off to her because she must be bloody fit!

@CommanderBurnham well done 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 It really is incremental, bit by bit. You’ll get there 💪🏼

I did c25k and was running 5k in 35 mins. For some reason, I had it in my head that I had to be under 30 mins. I just couldn't get any faster and it put me off. Stopped running around lockdown. Unfit now and can't run . Feel so bad now but have learned a lesson. I am going to do the c25k programme again and this time be proud of being able to finish it. Will just enjoy getting fitter and stronger. We can do it. Doesn't matter the time.

That's a great idea @GorgeousLadyofWrestling. I'm going to reload the app and try it.

@GorgeousLadyofWrestling that’s great .. welcome to interval training! Its a really good way of improving speed and fitness as you’re finding out. Just make sure that your heart rate drops in the slower jogging intervals and that’ll do nicely.

I think that as you do C25k the first thing you notice is how much more quickly you recover . Even if you feel absolutely shattered after a run you recover quickly ..rather than spend 15 minutes in pain wondering if you’re going to die ! That means that you’re not only comfortable with pushing yourself hard but you’re not afraid of the recovery process either.

Love this thread!

I don't think how fast you are relates to your fitness - some are just naturally faster as we're all built differently.

My average, steady 5k is 32-35 mins, a few times I've managed sub 30 but it wasn't comfortable or enjoyable.

My friend runs 5k in 24 mins, that's her happy pace!

But - I can quite happily run up to half marathon distance (takes me a good 2.5 hours) and have energy for chores/cooking/doing stuff afterwards, so I feel very fit and healthy. My fast friend burns out at 10k and just doesn't have the 'endurance' chip in her and has never run further than that.

I think us slower runners have the ability to excel at endurance, at least that's how I see it!

@Fairydustrust

I did c25k and was running 5k in 35 mins. For some reason, I had it in my head that I had to be under 30 mins. I just couldn't get any faster and it put me off. Stopped running around lockdown. Unfit now and can't run . Feel so bad now but have learned a lesson. I am going to do the c25k programme again and this time be proud of being able to finish it. Will just enjoy getting fitter and stronger. We can do it. Doesn't matter the time.

Get those running trainers back on!

It took me years of running to get a sub 30 5k because I had it in my head I wasn't a 'proper' runner until I had. When I eventually did, it felt like an anti climax. It was not enjoyable and it bought on a migraine!! Horrible run!

I wish I could go back and tell myself not to bother, it really ruined lots of runs for me when I tried and 'failed' - 5k is still 5k no matter the time, an amazing distance.

We should all be incredibly proud. :)

I started C25k last year, and despite being overweight, managed to go a 5k run before xmas - which was my goal. Since then I have managed three very very slow 5k runs before work each week. I can't say I enjoy it, but I do feel better for it afterwards.

I've struggled with getting myself out in the mornings recently, so last week decided to go out in the evening instead, which resulted in me tripping over some broken paving and fracturing my elbow. My confidence is shattered, I literally haven't even been out for a walk since. So joining this thread now in the hope that I get get back into it again when I've mended.

I live with the motto someone will always be faster. Even than the fastest runner you know.
I've been running for two years, the only time I managed a sub 30 5k was during a park run where I found myself accidentally at the front of the pack! I've never felt so much pressure to keep up just to get out of the way! It was incredibly difficult and made me feel sick all day.
I find the competitiveness to be quick saps the joy from running very quickly.

My absolute fastest 5k is 33 minutes I think. Maybe 32. I would rather run 5 miles in an hour (which is a 40 minute 5k) because I feel really proud of the distance. Trying to go faster just wears me out and I only make it round the block! I can't even run a mile in 10 minutes, 11 minutes is my fastest and I feel like I'm Usain Bolt for the short time I'm doing it.

Hoping to get a run in later. I've decided I'm going to do one run a week 5K flat, one run 5K hilly to build strength, and one longer one to increase stamina.

Good luck everyone, we are all running our own races.

@CommanderBurnham that’s a great idea re hills versus straights. I might try that idea. It’s all hilly round here but there’s two routes where one is distinctly flatter than the other.

I did two 5ks last week and was supposed to go out yesterday but it was raining and I didn’t feel great. Did some leg stuff instead because I have noticed my bum is going flatter since running - anyone noticed that?!

Fuck that. I run a 5k in 38/40 minutes and I'm fine with that. Slow running with quick little steps enhances distance and keeps you safe from injury. It's the last one that's key for me.

It worked well as I finished c25k 18 months ago and ran my first half marathon 4 months ago! It took me well over 3 hours and I don't care! I certainly wasn't even in the last ones either!

@GorgeousLadyofWrestling yes my bum is flatter. It seems as though it's moved around to my belly.

@Malin52 it's great that you've found your happy pace.

Another 5k today. Didn't enjoy it as much as normal and only felt the benefit of it alot later in the day. Beat my PB though.

Keep one foot in front of the other everyone!

Struggled round my second 5k of the week. Just a smidge over 40 minutes. Really need a reality check. I said to DH if he ever fancied a really slow 5k, he should do it with me. DH can run a comfortable 25m 5k but he WAS a sprinter and is NOW a persona trainer so, whatever 😂💁🏻‍♀️

Anyway, he was said - wait, what, you’re doing a 5k? I patiently explained to him, because he’d clearly not been listening to me grumble for the last six weeks, that I now did one every two days.

He was like, damn, woman. In December you could barely run for five minutes and now you’re regularly running 5k’s!!!

So yeah. Trying not to be such a dick about it and always in competition with myself about it.

Hurrah to all the runners here, no matter how far or how quick.

I used to run when I was younger and once did the Great North Run (half marathon) - it almost killed me .

I've been running off and on during lockdown, but I get bored running around the streets and I don't feel safe going off through our nearby woods on my own.

I joined a local women's 'jogging club' for a while, but I just found the atmosphere a bit overbearing. There was a WhatsApp group and it was all pics of people celebrating their times and new running gear etc. I just wanted to find a few people at the same level as me to run with regularly, but the organisers always seemed to be focusing on everyone 'pushing themselves' and progressing to the 'next level'. I was happy in my plateau of about 5k in 35 mins and just wanted to run regularly.

I also used to run weekly with a friend at the weekend, but then she changed jobs/ got a dog/ the pandemic hit and she was cancelling so often I stopped bothering to ask if she wanted to run.

I need to find some other friends who are quite happy to plod at my speed and commit to something regularly!