Confession: I'm a slow runner

Pinkranger626

I love to run, it makes me feel better, and it's the only sport that I've ever selected to do on my own, stuck with, and really enjoyed (other than dance when I was younger... but there's always been the argument that dance isn't really considered a sport and more of an art... but I digress).

I'm slow, and by slow I mean I average around 10:30 a mile and the fastest I've ever run was at 9:00 per mile and that was really pushing myself. I do intervals, I do hill repeats, I cross train, I can kickbox like you wouldn't believe and I weight train 2-3x per week. I'm strong, I can squat a decent amount of weight and I can finally do a pull up without help!

My blood pressure and resting heart rate are both at athlete levels. I've completed my first half marathon last year and have completed two tough mudders and a smattering of smaller races.

I know I'm a runner, and I know that it's ok to be slow. And some people just aren't built for speed. I can go long... it just takes a while. I guess my point of this post is to let people know it's ok to be a slow runner. Being slow does not equal being out of shape or a lack of fitness at all.

I've had other runners comment on how I should be running faster than that and I must not be pushing myself... which is not true. I spend enough time rushing around and doing everything at warp speed. My run is my time to just be and check in with myself. And even when I do push the pace, it's still what someone would consider slow, but as long as it's challenging to me and I'm reaping the benefits of it who cares?

nuttyfamily

I don't think that is slow and that is about where I run for pace. There are many faster than me and many slower than me.

I run for me and one one else.

A mile is a mile no matter the pace.

4legsRbetterthan2

Humm, I would consider that pretty fast actually, but I'm a nice 12 minute miler right now, maybe one day I'll be as fast as you! To each his own, if you are happy thats what matters.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

Agreed 100%! I know I'm slow, but all that matters to me is that I'm doing it and that I'm training to the best of MY ability! I am currently teaching my daughter to run and I'm teaching her the same thing

Great post OP :flowerforyou:

runforestrun35

I am right there with you! I have asthma and still enjoy running. I do not run at warp speed, but most runner's cheer each other on for just getting out there in the wind. Thanks for "confessing* !!! :-)

Calliope610

My run is my time to just be and check in with myself. And even when I do push the pace, it's still what someone would consider slow, but as long as it's challenging to me and I'm reaping the benefits of it who cares?

THANK YOU for this.

I'm not a runner yet, I'm still walking 3-4 miles a day. Next week I start C25K for the upteenth time. But I will get there, and I don't think I will be fast (my immediate goal is a 12:00mile). I just wanna be my best. Thanks for putting this in perspective, esp the part about competing against myself and walk/run time being "MY TIME". Honestly, the time I spend walking is the only "me time" I have to be completely alone with my thoughts. Ok, well, I have to share that time with my dog, cuz she needs her run time also, but at least she doesn't pester me with conversation. lol

nurssassy

You make me laugh I run 12 even 13 depending on how distracted I am. I'm slow, I'm clumsy, but I love to run and I don't care what other people think.
If you're out there running simply for the joy of running I believe, in my heart that makes you a runner.
Remember no matter how slow you are you're still lapping the person sitting in front of the TV!

Mau_Hutch

You're a zen runner!.... Just like my husband who has never seen the point of racing and has many bad things to say about going for a run with 10,000 other people. Good for you for not succumbing to the craziness of trying to always get a new PB.
Sadly, I am slow too, but would like to get faster.

lisaanne1369

slow and steady wins the race!

Solly123

How I wish I could be a slow runner..

In my teens I was a sprinter. And a quick one at that. Loved that I could go faster than most. But when I sprinted, I took a deep breath and I was gone like a rocket..

Now, I'm well, well past my teens!! I am trying to get back to running. I want to run 5k's and enjoy them.. Well, its killing me.. I cannot get out of the habit of taking off too fast and being absolutely tired out in less than 10 minutes.

I did one 5k where I managed to lock in behind a lovely lady who paced herself fantastically. I stuck to her like glue and managed the 5k.. But on my own, outdoors, I just find it so so hard to go slow enough to make the distance. On a treadmill, I can do it, purely because it paces me..

So being a slow runner is my goal.. Someday I'll figure out some way of slowing myself down and actually being able to pace myself to run a distance. Not speed!!

I want what you have!! The ability to run slow.. I may beat you over 100 metres, but you'd beat me hands down over 5k.. More than likely, I wouldn't finish!!

kbella67

Anyone who runs is a runner! You are an amazing athlete from your description. Thanks for posting this as I too know how you feel. I have run 9 halfs, and am training for my 4th Boston Marathon. I never run fast and at points that frustrates me, especially since my husband is a speed demon. It's easy to feel you aren't doing it right if you aren't fast. I get that. But you are right a mile is a mile and if you enjoy it keep doing it!

FancyPantsFran

Wow you are a lot faster then me!!!! I have just started running and I love it. there are many faster then me but I am faster then anyone sitting on the couch! I run because I proved to myself that I can...Its something I never thought I would be able to do!!! Happy Running

GummyBears7779

My best mile time is only 8.40, and by that I mean I die after the mile.
I dont think gravity likes me very much, I prefer to stay in the water

abuck_13

I would hardly consider a 10:30 mile pace slow. I'd love to be able to do that myself!

SteppyRohr

Thank you for this post! I'm a slow runner, around 11-12 minute mile with my fastest 5K pace being 10 minute mile pace. I also do intervals for longer distances, there is no shame is walking. Like the one gal said, a mile is a mile. It is so hard not to compare yourself with others isn't it!? I often have to remind myself that every person has their own goals and challenges and I revel in the fact that I actually enjoy running (shocking to me still!) and I continue to lace up. Keep on keeping on runners!

Mbuhler

It doesn't matter how slow or fast your are, it just matters that you get out there and put one foot in front of the other and enjoy it :bigsmile:

KyleB65

So, you do kickboxing, weights, run and have excellent cardiovascular tests!

You are so at the top of the class! How fast you run means diddly squat!

First, you are running warp speed faster than anyone sitting on their sofa. Second, your regime sounds very well rounded and geared towards total fitness. Applause!!!

For what it is worth, I say, keep on doing what you are doing. Speed is relative and unless you give yourself a race time goal? Not at all important! The important thing is to get moving and keep moving.

If you do decide one day to set a speed/time goal. My limited experience with running has shown me that improvement in speed takes a long time. I am just now starting to break the 6min/K time over 10k for my average. I've been working at this for roughly 14 months. My goal is to run my second marathon in 4hrs or less this coming Sept.

Daisy471

You're faster than me! I average between 11:00 & 11:30/mile and was thrilled last night when I ran 4 miles @ 10:45. My goal pace for my half marathon in a few weeks is 12:00/mile.

I would like to be a little faster, but I will never be speedy and don't care. I like how running makes me feel, even at my slow pace!

Pinkranger626

Thanks for all the love!! I've been struggling with a little bit of frustration over the last few months, mainly because of a couple experiences. My first half I started with three other runners, we had agreed that we would start together and then just meet up at the finish line. So we did. I was the last to finish, a good 10 minutes slower than all three of them (what frustrated me was one of the girls hadn't even really trained for it, just decided to go run 13.1 miles and I had been training for months) Which finishing last was only mildly frustrating because, hey I finished. But what really made me feel it was when all three of them had all stopped to use the bathroom along the way (there's a line for porta potties) and I hadn't stopped at all.

I've also been left behind when running with a group for training... and I ended up getting lost and having to call my aunt to come pick me up and bring me back to my car, all because I couldn't keep up with the group. Somehow I managed to end up 6 miles away from my car lol.

With both of these experiences I was momentarily broken hearted about it, embarrassed, and even felt like giving up. But then I think about how much I love running and how much I love the atmosphere of races and how awesome it is that in this sport, you are a runner and you are awesome whether you run 6:00 miles or 15:00 miles. And you know what? Thta's worth so much more than a medal or a title.

Mich4871

That is not slow! That's a great pace! When I started running I was a 15-17 min/miler! Now I average 10:00-11:00 and I feel that is a great pace (for me!)

Don't worry about what others are running!

reammi

Thank you for this post. I've been running a little over 2 years and I'm about to turn 50. I started running and kept adding distance but like you I generally run a 10:30 mile. Somedays are better than others and on a good day I can average a 10 minute mile. However, I don't worry about the time - my goal is to finish and I always finish. I have never run a 5k BUT I did run the Philadelphia Marathon in November and I have run 2 half marathons. For me it's about crossing the finish line. A guy who owns the local running store near where I live finished 12th in the Philadelphia Marathon and he said this to me about running the marathon when I didn't want to tell him my time after hearing he finished 12th - "we ran the same amount of miles - doesn't matter how long it took either of us - the accomphlisment is in finishing" . It took me a while to realize he is right. Each person is on their own journey and who's to say how long that journey should take!!

tegalicious

I love to run, it makes me feel better, and it's the only sport that I've ever selected to do on my own, stuck with, and really enjoyed (other than dance when I was younger... but there's always been the argument that dance isn't really considered a sport and more of an art... but I digress).

I'm slow, and by slow I mean I average around 10:30 a mile and the fastest I've ever run was at 9:00 per mile and that was really pushing myself. I do intervals, I do hill repeats, I cross train, I can kickbox like you wouldn't believe and I weight train 2-3x per week. I'm strong, I can squat a decent amount of weight and I can finally do a pull up without help!

My blood pressure and resting heart rate are both at athlete levels. I've completed my first half marathon last year and have completed two tough mudders and a smattering of smaller races.

I know I'm a runner, and I know that it's ok to be slow. And some people just aren't built for speed. I can go long... it just takes a while. I guess my point of this post is to let people know it's ok to be a slow runner. Being slow does not equal being out of shape or a lack of fitness at all.

I've had other runners comment on how I should be running faster than that and I must not be pushing myself... which is not true. I spend enough time rushing around and doing everything at warp speed. My run is my time to just be and check in with myself. And even when I do push the pace, it's still what someone would consider slow, but as long as it's challenging to me and I'm reaping the benefits of it who cares?

I could have written this exact post!!! Thank you for this!!

kshadows

lol 10:30 is slow?! My new PR last night was 11:33....

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

This is slow??

Zomoniac

Now, I'm well, well past my teens!! I am trying to get back to running. I want to run 5k's and enjoy them.. Well, its killing me.. I cannot get out of the habit of taking off too fast and being absolutely tired out in less than 10 minutes.

If you have a smartphone get some kind of GPS app with audio feedback. I had much the same issues as you, just too quick out of the blocks, my normal cruising pace for 10k distances is pretty much bang on 8 minute miles, but I would routinely find myself doing the first mile in well under 7 and really struggling going into the back end of the run. Since I set Nike+ up to track my runs I check every minute or two early on what exactly my current pace is so I can adjust, and it's made it much easier.

zanne54

Scoot over on the slow runners bench. I'm one too. And you know what? I don't really care. When I'm running a race, I'm only racing against myself. Run at whatever pace suits you best, and to those criticizing you? MYOB.

TRD66

I regularly run about the 8:30-9:00 mile pace - but that doesn't make me better than you, or anyone else. And it doesn't make my colleague, who runs around 7 min miles better than me.

Running is not about who is the faster, even in a race (for the majority of people). It's about keeping fit and doing something you enjoy. You run at a pace which suits you, you're comfortable with and that you enjoy - I don't think you can say fairer than that. If you want to go faster, I'm sure you'll find a way, but you don't need to.

Zomoniac

My run is my time to just be and check in with myself. And even when I do push the pace, it's still what someone would consider slow, but as long as it's challenging to me and I'm reaping the benefits of it who cares?

Nobody does (or at least nobody should). If you are getting what you want from it and you're happy with what you're doing then do that. I personally have to see running as a self-competition, because I can't get any satisfaction from just going for a run, I have to be trying to beat something, but that's probably because I really hate running. If you can get out and run just because you want to run, at whatever pace you feel like, and it works for you, then I greatly envy you that and you should keep doing it!

smaugish

I'm not a runner yet, but I hope to be some day. And I'm pretty sure I'll be slow as hell, but I like to keep movie-Gimli's words of wisdom in my head:

"I'm wasted on cross-country! We Dwarves are natural sprinters, very dangerous over short distances."

I'm good with being a dwarf.

terricherry2

Me too! Just started back on c25k on week 4. I'm really slow. Used to go to run club to do 5k every week and I was always at the very back. Much prefer to run on my own and not feel like I have to try and keep up with everyone else.

_Zardoz_

Don't compare yourself to others we are all different. I run a similar pace to you. Other people run faster than me but I run further than them and mainly off-road. We're all different the only person to judge yourself against is yourself.