How fast can you run a mile?

whiteberry17
whiteberry17 Posts: 124
in Health and Weight Loss
I want to train myself to be a fast runner. So far I can run 1 mile in 15 minutes if I dont stop, and run 1 mile in 13 minutes if I do stop for breaks.
My goal is to do 5-6 minutes a mile. How fast are some of you? How did you train yourself to do this? And how long did it take?
«13456

Replies

  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    I am not sure. I try to run longer. I have an app that gives me distance and pace. If it ever tells me I am going faster than 10 minutes a mile, I slow up so I can make it further. :bigsmile:

    There are plenty of "regular people" who can run a single mile in under 6:00. I could in high school. That was a long time ago.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Looking at a pretty huge jump there (from 15 to 5-6). I'd suggest trying to achieve 12 and working your way down the line.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I'm at about 16.5 minutes (ok actually a fast walk). I would like to get to 14 by the end of summer
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I can walk it in 15 minutes. I can interval run 5km in 35 mins which is equivalent to 11 minutes. C25K program got me to there.
  • ksy1969
    ksy1969 Posts: 700 Member
    I am 43 and I only started running a year and a half ago. The fastest I have ran a mile is a little under 8 minutes. My average pace though is right around a 10 minute mile.

    I admire those that can run less than a 6 minute mile, but it takes a special person to be able to run that fast. It isn't just something you can do, you have to breathe right, you have to have proper posture, you have to eat right, you have to drink the right amount of fluids, etc....... So bottom line, there is a lot that has to be in place to run those paces.
  • Joshacham
    Joshacham Posts: 467 Member
    Apparently my best was 8 minutes 32 seconds. That was on June 16th. That's over 7 mph. Wow, I was in the zone that day!
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    a general rule is endurance first, then speed will follow. Build up your cardio system by running more miles. Start throwing in interval training or hill repeats.

    I haven't done a mile test in a while, but my last 5k was 21:18
  • talisamb
    talisamb Posts: 65 Member
    I can run 1 mile in a little over 6 minutes...When i first started it was around 10+ minutes. I improved my time by doing sprints 2-3 times weekly.
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    Just under 7 minutes... but I only run about once per month. Heavy lifting FTW! :)

    I find that the less running I do the more I maintain my muscle mass in my legs which allows me to sprint faster. I get plenty of 'cardio' from heavy weight training.
  • Mjhnbgff
    Mjhnbgff Posts: 112
    I can run a 9 minute mile but I haven't timed myself recently to see if I can run faster than that. I haven't tried to run faster on purpose but I notice that I'm just naturally getting faster by improving my endurance and losing weight. I do a combination of slow, short runs and some speedwork during the week and one long run on the weekends. My trainer told me to work on endurance first and then worry about speed.
  • lowpro1983
    lowpro1983 Posts: 305 Member
    I'm definitely not a runner, but when I have "tried" to like it, I used the C25K program. I believe it would help you reach your goal.
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    I am NOT a runner! However, I have good endurance from the other workouts I do. I got officially timed running the mile at my kids' track camp last week. 8:44! I was so proud of myself !
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    I'm so slow. I've been running steadily for about a year and I'm still around 14:30 for a mile. A few years ago, I could do 10:00 no problem as a beginner, but I've gained weight since then so I guess that's why I've slowed down. To be fair, I've been more focused on mileage than time. I trust that the time will come.
  • chelton2013
    chelton2013 Posts: 3 Member
    bump
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    My trainer told me to work on endurance first and then worry about speed.

    Good advice. I've been racing in the same corporate athletic competition for 10 years. This past year I joined a new employer and bought a heart rate monitor to track my workouts (required for brownie points in the Wellness Program). I started noticing when my workout was getting lazy and would kick it up to get my heart rate at a reasonable level.

    This year I did the mile in a little under 10 minutes. I was stunned. I was even more stunned when I looked up the times from 6 years ago and found that I'd run the course in 11 minutes. And I'm 60.

    I'm not gonna try for 6 minutes.
  • jesssi1984
    jesssi1984 Posts: 17 Member
    If you can focus on distance; speed follows... Distance and time builds endurance. I've been focusing on 5k since march and just started 10k this week. I figure my 5k will get quicker and seem easier when I'm used to running 10k. As for goals, I just want to get better and ...


    the only person to beat is me from yesterday!

    So I've decided not to care about anyone's times but my own.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    Last time I checked 6:25. I got there by running long distances and running hills.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I want to train myself to be a fast runner. So far I can run 1 mile in 15 minutes if I dont stop, and run 1 mile in 13 minutes if I do stop for breaks.
    My goal is to do 5-6 minutes a mile. How fast are some of you? How did you train yourself to do this? And how long did it take?

    Are you using a training program...if not, I'd suggest doing an actual training program like C25K. Also, you'll want to work on more than just the mile...work on overall cardiovascular endurance and distance and speed will ultimately come and you'll have certain paces for certain races. A training program like C25K or C2-10K will help get you there in an intelligent fashion.
  • Jennisin1
    Jennisin1 Posts: 574 Member
    6:58 at my last timed flat out mile on the treadmill. Trying to work down to 6 even.
  • stacetherainbow
    stacetherainbow Posts: 131
    21 minutes... pretty sweet, right?
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    I can easily do a 7.5 for 4 miles. so if I push it i can probably do a 7 minute mile or better never actually tried to see how fast I could on flat surfice anyways. I started out at about a 12 minute mile for 3 miles and just kept building my endurance to the point I could run consistantly for 60 minutes then started some interval training until I could run that distance for that amount of time lets say a 10 minute mile for 60 minutes then back to interval till I could achieve 8 minute mile ect ect ect. Repeat over and over.
  • ChristinaR720
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186
    My personal best so far is 6:21 minutes. I agree that focusing on distance and endurance is best, as speed will most likely come with time.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I was always a sprinter when I was younger. I loved the 100 yard dash. (10.6) When I was in high school I ran the mile in 5:06 without training for it. In fact that was the firs, and last time I ever ran a mile.

    Now that it's 40 years later, I started running again 2 years ago. My best time was 5:57. I actually prefer long races and a good easy long run of 10+ miles.

    It took me a year to finish C25K, and another year to run a 1/2 marathon.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    I CANT
  • littlewhittles
    littlewhittles Posts: 402 Member
    I did c25k and have only been running really in the last few months, so my mile right now is 11:30 or so. I assume it will get better as I keep running, but I'm pretty happy with it.
  • ApocalypticFae
    ApocalypticFae Posts: 217 Member
    I used to be able to run pretty fast for my cross country and track teams in high school, but that was quite a few years ago! I just started running again and I can do a 10-minute mile. I've got a little work to do to match my old times, but that's definitely one of my goals. :smile:
  • sandikegz
    sandikegz Posts: 66
    I just started running again and was able to throw down my best time at 8:06 seconds but it was rough. Also, please be careful kicking up the intensity and speed. I'm nursing a pretty bad ankle right now because I tried too hard too fast. Lesson learned! Also, I have very very different times between outdoor running in my neighborhood and the times I get on the treadmill at the gym.
  • alwaysgreen17
    alwaysgreen17 Posts: 85 Member
    I do a 10:00 mile if it is just a mile....I could probably push myself to get 9:00 or 9:30. If it is distance, I alternate between jogging and walking so about a 10:45 or 11 minute/mile, according to my last two 5k times. Good luck with your goal, it will take some time so just keep at it.
  • redhead1910
    redhead1910 Posts: 304 Member
    I've been running for a year and a half and the fastest mile I can run sustainability is 10 minutes, I have never even dreamed of attempting a 5-6 minute mile. But now you have me curious to see how far I can go running 10 mph or so. This should be interesting!
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    It depends on a lot of things for me; the time of day, my route, my mood, and the weather affect me the most. But one day a few weeks back, I was spitting angry (does anger make anyone else work harder?) and the weather was fabulous so I ended up running a 7 minute mile to my disbelief. I run about a 9-11 minute mile on average but with the heat, it's usually towards eleven :ohwell: I've been running since late February, so I'm still working to improve!

Categories