Is a slower pace normal?

Cloudsweeper

I am doing my first C25K and am currently on week 4 day 2.

Is it normal for your pace to slow down when there is more running? I just think it is bizarre that I was faster with more walking. Is it maybe just me or that I am slowing down to be able to complete the intervals? Am I missing something here?

Thanks

Never thought I could run 1 min and now I am running 5

timeasterday

Perfectly normal. You need to slow down to complete those longer runs. Pace is not the priority. Slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the progress!

lua_

Perfectly normal. You need to slow down to complete those longer runs. Pace is not the priority. Slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the progress!

This

You'll be surprised at how quickly your pace improves when you build endurance. I used to be in my comfortable running zone at a 13.5-14.5 minute mile, now I'm more than comfortable at a 12.5-13 minute mile pace, and I've only ever done two speed work runs

lua_

Perfectly normal. You need to slow down to complete those longer runs. Pace is not the priority. Slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the progress!

This

You'll be surprised at how quickly your pace improves when you build endurance. I used to be in my comfortable running zone at a 13.5-14.5 minute mile when I do my LSD runs (long slow distance), now I'm more than comfortable at a 12.5-13 minute mile pace, and I've only ever done two speed work runs

likitisplit

Actually Jeff Galloway's marathon program includes walking intervals (DURING the marathon) for that exact reason. Your pace will pick up again when you build endurance, just like lua says.

rduhlir

Yup, Jeff has actually qualified people for Boston doing the walking thing. I am walk/running my half marathon. Then next year I am going to work on running it with out walk breaks.

Just to give you an idea of how much pace differs, it is recommended to train and run different distances at different paces. A marathon pace could be upto 2-3 minutes slower than someone's 5K pace. Right now my 5K pace is in the 10:45-11:15 range. I have been training for my half marathon in 12:30-12:45 pace range, so race day I might top at 12:00-12:15. This is completely normal. Even different training days are recommended to be completed in different paces. The shorter the run the faster the pace (usually) and the longer the run the slower the pace.