How long did it take you to run how far?

GillianMcK

I went from 5k's last year to a marathon 3 weeks ago and I still struggle with the first 3 - 5 miles, I really dislike them and have full blown arguements with myself at the start 'why am I doing this', 'this is crap, I don't want to run' (sometimes these arguements are out loud so I do get funny looks if I don't notice people in time), but it took me going up to long runs of 10 miles + to discover that those first few miles were the worst for me, the marathon was tough but I enjoyed it and signed up for another one next year (possibly 2 if I get through the ballot for London), now have a list of marathons that I want to complete (all around the world).

I agree that consistency is key, make a plan and stick to it be it an app that you put on your phone for walk jog or running 3 times a week and building up to 3 miles, a lot of it is mental as well, the saying 'try not, do or do not' (yes I know it's yoda) is good, say to yourself that you're going to do this and be strong mentally and the body will follow!!!
The arguement I have with myself is that little voice in my head that says I can't do it, it gets told to shut the f%"k up at least 3 times a week (and I run 4 times a week).

lawlorka

I did C25K last year, but got injured and had to take several months off - I wasn't running 5k by the end of the programme though.

I took up running regularly again in March 2014, and could only do 1 mile non-stop. Got to 3miles by the end of March, and 6miles by the end of April. I can now comfortably run 10 miles (not very fast though!) and am training for a Half Marathon in October. My best 5km time is only 29:44 and my best 10km is only 1:03:30 so I have a long way to go

MeanderingMammal

I've been sorta trying to run since last September and have gone from 0.49miles to 2.2miles non stop. So thats taken about 10 months. Would like to be able to run 6-7miles without feeling like I'm going to die..

Just want to know how long it took you to be able to run any distance?

Took me 12 weeks to get from zero to 3 miles, then another 15 weeks to get to consistently running 6 miles, I'm now 15 months in and hitting half marathon distances, which means most runs are between six and ten miles.

fwiw I'm now on:

5K - 25 minutes
10K - 50 minutes
HM - 120 minutes

target just now is to reduce that HM time to 105 minutes

MeanderingMammal

Distance doesn't matter...Speed does.

Depends on your objectives. there's no point doing the first 500 metres at full tilt if you can't then follow through on the next 9500.

Equally, little point in going at HM pace if it's a 400 metre race