Can ANYONE run fast?
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My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?0
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I'm going to go against the grain here and say no...not everyone can run "fast".
I for one was a very good sprinter and long/high jumper and pole vaulter once upon a time. At one brief moment in time I was ranked 3rd in the state of NM in the 100 meters, but I have never been a good endurance/distance runner. When I was in the Marine Corps I was required to run 3 miles as part of my PT qualifications and my fastest time was at the tail end of boot camp after some very intense physical training and I came in at about a 7.83 minute mile...again, I was at the absolute peak of my endurance abilities and all we did was train.
Now, if I just had to run a singular mile, I could have probably sucked it up and burned out a 7 minute mile, but not for multiple miles, even with all of my training.
To boot, I'm a supinator as a result of my very high arches (part of what made me a good sprinter and jumper) so running long distances is very hard on my feet and knees and my hips get really tight. When I was running regularly when I first started here, I was having to do a ton of foam rolling just to keep my hips loose enough for my other daily life tasks.
So, while I definitely think it's possible to run "fast" for you, it is not necessarily possible to run what many would consider "fast". For me to even approach what I did out of boot would require far more training time than I personally have on hand...not to mention I'm pushing 40 and I was 18 back then and weighed in at a whopping buck 40 @ 5'10". I was pretty happy when I finished my last 5K (probably last one ever) just under 30 minutes @ 29:56. Due to the pain I was experiencing in my feet, I've pretty much given it up and turned to cycling.
Wanting to do something, versus having the capability, are different things. What is described here are not reasons, they are choices. But, you have the capability. Short of being handicapped, very few aren't able to do what the op suggests.
I am also ex-military (US Army Infantry), and nothing I ever did constituted real endurance training, the way I do it now. The most we ever ran was 10 miles (once!) Sure there was lot's of running and for my last PT test, I ran the 2 miles in 12 change. I would argue I am in way better shape now, than I was then, 25 years ago.0 -
So... I'm just curious what you think... can anyone run and train enough to run 6-7 minute miles? I am currently rocking a 12 minute mile. On good days I might be able to do A (just one mind you) 10 minute mile. I just can't even fathom the idea of being able to run a 7-8 minute mile.
Sorry, I meant like.... more than 3 miles. More specifically maybe half marathon type distances.
Half marathon? That might be a stretch. Honestly, the only way to know if you can or can't do it is to try. Start training. Slowly. SLOWLY. Get your endurance up with long slow runs, then start speed work. I think I ran my first half in 2:14, and that was 10 years ago. I haven't run a stand alone half since, but my last marathon split halfway was 1:37, so yeah, its possible, but it takes training and patience.
Yep
It took me 8 years from the time I started running until I ran a HM at sub 7:00 pace. My first HM, I ran 9:00 pace. That preceded the sub 7 effort by 6 years. It took a LOT of mileage to get there. I'm talking about 2500+ miles per year for this 40 something year old man.0 -
It depends on the distance too... so far I have ran sub 10 minute miles for distances below 55k...0
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My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Kinda similar to running a 13-sec 100M. Faster than a lot of people, but extremely slow in the framework of track athletes.0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....0 -
I hope anyone can as that will be one of my goals after I finish my first marathon.
I am not there yet but I will say that after starting a year ago my comfortable (like carry on a conversation while jogging) pace was around 10:30. Now I can carry on a conversation at a 8:00 min pace. So yeah, within a year the effort level is now the same for an 8 min mile as it was for a 10:30 a year ago.
but wow, it hasn't been a quick journey at all. Just hope it keeps improving with time.0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.0 -
So... I'm just curious what you think... can anyone run and train enough to run 6-7 minute miles? I am currently rocking a 12 minute mile. On good days I might be able to do A (just one mind you) 10 minute mile. I just can't even fathom the idea of being able to run a 7-8 minute mile.
run more miles,run more miles,run more miles,run more miles and then run more miles. repeat until desired pace is sustainable.0 -
Proof's in the pudding, and I was your textbook couch potato.
03/16/14 Mercy Health Heart Mini 2014 2341 Douglas Picard 1:37:00/7:25 (about 1350 miles ran in training since Jan 13)
06/02/13 Deadwood - Mickelson Trail Marathon ... 2430 Douglas Picard 1:45:44/8:03 (about 200 miles ran in training since Jan 13, 26lb weight loss)
10/02/11 2011 Run Crazy Horse ◊13.1`... 701 Douglas Picard 2:19:34/10:38 (0 miles since previous HM, quit running for 1.5yrs after)
06/05/11 Deadwood - Mickelson Trail Marathon ... 2314 Douglas Picard 2:28:39/11:20 (maybe 200 miles ran in training)0 -
I don't believe just anyone can run a 6-minute pace for 13.1 miles. That works out to 1:18:39. Just 180 out of over 20,000 runners in the NYC half marathon did that -- that's less than 1 percent. I guarantee you that many, many more than that were maxing out their training, but they couldn't do it. They had reached their physical limit and fell short.
A 7-minute pace, 1:31:38, is more doable. 1,000 runners finished with under a 7-minute pace, or 5% of the field. You might be able to make that case that only 5% of runners were really maxing out their training. I'd still say that for some people, especially women, a 7-minute pace is out of reach.0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
You don't sound like a douche. Facts, you know. But I hear so MANY runners complaining of terminal slowness.0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.
Love this. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought it was an important facet in the question.0 -
My 15 year old son runs 4:53 on a mile track run. 5:40 pace on a 5k - that's 17:36. He does train 5-6 days per week.0
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My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.
Love this. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought it was an important facet in the question.
Yup. The good thing about being humbled is it motivates you to keep going.0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.
Love this. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought it was an important facet in the question.
It is. That said, I want to be ThickMcRunFast when I grow up. :flowerforyou:0 -
I run fast twice a week when I'm training for a goal race, tempo and speed work, the other 3 days are easy. I run 7's for a 5k and 10k race and 8's for half and full marathon race. I've been running regularly for almost 20 years, racing for 10. In my 30's I dreamed of qualifying for the Olympics, but I don't have the body type of a fast runner (I'm 5'8" big boned) and I am injury prone. We also don't have the money to spend on massage, and sports therapies for running injuries. I have come to accept my limitations and I'm working on just being happy I can run. Running fast is an amazing feeling!0
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I don't believe just anyone can run a 6-minute pace for 13.1 miles. That works out to 1:18:39. Just 180 out of over 20,000 runners in the NYC half marathon did that -- that's less than 1 percent. I guarantee you that many, many more than that were maxing out their training, but they couldn't do it. They had reached their physical limit and fell short.
A 7-minute pace, 1:31:38, is more doable. 1,000 runners finished with under a 7-minute pace, or 5% of the field. You might be able to make that case that only 5% of runners were really maxing out their training. I'd still say that for some people, especially women, a 7-minute pace is out of reach.
^^^^ This! I think everyone as a physical limit. For some it might take 7-8-9-10 years of continuous training to get there, so they will improve every year, but at some point they won't be able to get faster.
And maximal speed is obviously lower for women...0 -
My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.
Love this. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought it was an important facet in the question.
It is. That said, I want to be ThickMcRunFast when I grow up. :flowerforyou:
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My question is "does anyone who runs and trains enough to run 6-7 minute mile" actually think that THEY are "fast"?
Without trying to sound like too much of a douche, yes.
But not fast enough....
truth.
Faster than some, not as fast as others.
Or in other words: always f%*^&* 4th overall in the 5k.
The beauty of running is how humbling it can be. I'm pretty good at it. It would be very silly of me to start getting an ego about it, because I am rarely the fastest person in any group.
Love this. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought it was an important facet in the question.
It is. That said, I want to be ThickMcRunFast when I grow up. :flowerforyou:
x2
I personally am not a fast runner. My best half came from a lot of tempo runs. My worst half is probably about to come as I am 3 weeks behind my schedule.
Training and mileage-they are your deciding factors. I won't ever been Kara Goucher, but I also would like to not be narrowly ahead of the sweeps bus!
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So... I'm just curious what you think... can anyone run and train enough to run 6-7 minute miles? I am currently rocking a 12 minute mile. On good days I might be able to do A (just one mind you) 10 minute mile. I just can't even fathom the idea of being able to run a 7-8 minute mile.
Assuming there is no underlying medical reason for not being able to, yes you may be able to get down to that. Realistically, 8:00/mile is probably achievable. It will take some real effort to get down into the high 6-minute/low 7-minute range. I was already down to my maintenance weight when I started running so there wasn't anymore weight loss to be done (actually gained a little weight but has all been the reallocation of muscle).
I "ran" my first 10K in years last year. Thats a bit of a misnomer. I ran the first two miles, walked the 3rd because I was taking all sorts of pictures on the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston and then ran the last 3.2 miles to the end. My overall pace was 13:26/mile, though when I was running, it was 11:40/mile. That was 4/6/2013.
I began a running program towards the in the middle of April and did my first 8-mile run in the middle of May.
My first timed 1-mile run was at the end of May. My time was down to 9:25/mile. A month later in June my mile time was down to 8:03 (run on a track).
The summer heat had me limit the speed of the short 1-mile speed runs. And those times stayed around 8:30/mile until the fall. My fastest mile which came in January was down to 7:22/mile and the average of my last 3 1-mile runs is 7:30/mile.
How does that translate to longer distances? I ran a 10K in December 2013 at 59:56 (9:39/mile)
I ran a 5K in the middle of September 2013 at 28:03. And in March 2014 on back-to-back runs, I ran a 5K in 25:32 (8:12/mile) and the half-marathon the next morning in 2:13:47 (10:12/mile). I was pushing reasonably hard in the 5K, not so hard on the half-marathon (we were running faster as we closed in on the last 3 miles of the half-marathon and our last mile was an 8:03/mile).
At age 60, it seems unreasonable that I will ever get back to the 5:45-6:15/mile pace that I could run for 1-2 miles when I was 21 years old. But with time and dedication to a certain work ethic, times can drop dramatically before they finally flatten out. But with speed comes the potential for injury. It won't happen overnight but the increase in speed can be pretty dramatic at first. You just have to make sure that all the systems are really able to handle the increased stress of speed.
"I feel the need,....the need for speed!"0 -
At age 60, it seems unreasonable that I will ever get back to the 5:45-6:15/mile pace that I could run for 1-2 miles when I was 21 years old. But with time and dedication to a certain work ethic, times can drop dramatically before they finally flatten out.
There is a HUGE difference between a 6:00-ish pace for a mile or two and a half marathon. I have run a 5K at 5:49 pace but the best I can do in a half is 6:36.
Or to put it a different way: Age grade for a 60-year-old running a 6:00 mile: 76% ("regional class")
Age grade for a 60-year-old running a 6:00 pace for a half-marathon: 93% ("world class")0 -
At age 60, it seems unreasonable that I will ever get back to the 5:45-6:15/mile pace that I could run for 1-2 miles when I was 21 years old. But with time and dedication to a certain work ethic, times can drop dramatically before they finally flatten out.
There is a HUGE difference between a 6:00-ish pace for a mile or two and a half marathon. I have run a 5K at 5:49 pace but the best I can do in a half is 6:36.
Or to put it a different way: Age grade for a 60-year-old running a 6:00 mile: 76% ("regional class")
Age grade for a 60-year-old running a 6:00 pace for a half-marathon: 93% ("world class")
They both sound f'n fast.0 -
perhaps if we amended the op to 7 or 8 min miles, then we could probably agree that this is in reach of the vast majority of runners running a half or less. I figure I have a couple years before I BQ (3:25, for my age group), but I am not in a big rush and I believe it is possible.0
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