This a May Be Encouraging?

DanOhh

I was looking back on my running log, it was a year ago that I stared C25K. I was seeing what my pace was and I was at a 10:30 minute mile back then. I was very happy w/this pace considering that the last time I went for a jog was almost 20 years prior it was very adequate.

Just like everybody else wanted to go faster and I was but it just seemed like it was taking too long to get any faster. My running buddy had a good 3min. pace faster than me, but I have a good self understanding and I'm not him, so was happy to do what I could. MY BEST ADVISE FOR THE NEW RUNNER is to not be competitive w/others but just be proud of what you can do and improve on that.

I'm now running with an average pace of 8:20 min. mile and have even gotten past the 8:00 min. mile a couple of times. When I post my exercise I've had several MFP buddies say that they could never run that fast (BUT they're just starting out and running at the same pace I was a year ago). Just like losing the weight it takes some time to get the progress you might want while running and don't let how fast someone else does something discourage you. The #1 thing is that you're doing it!

Good Luck!
DanOhh

(p.s. I'm amazed that I didn't make any marathon similes or metaphors)

MayMaydoesntrun

I so needed to read this! I have started back running after a 16/17 year hiatus and my pace now is about 11 min/mile. I use to run 10 min/miles but I was lighter and younger. I still want that 10 minute mark though soooo bad and it is killing me (atleast it feels like it is) when I push myself to get faster. Oh, when I started out again, this past January, I was at 13:30min/mile. I'd love to run as fast as you! One day.............:)

KellyBurton1

Likes your post. I started running about 7 weeks now. Im getting better at it but theres times I struggle. How many times did you run in a week when you first started. And when did you increase? I ran on sat sun and monday. I usually dont do 3 days in a row but on sat we just ran around the gym at a school and I ran for 20 minutes straight. I was so amazed how well I done that the next day I ran on a treadmill and could barely do 3 minutes without stopping, the next day I done a little better and ran outdoors and ran for 10 minutes without stopping. I took tuesday off and on wed I struggled really hard. I dont know if my body is tired or its because I ate 1 1/2 before I ran and I did feel bloated. Could you please share what work for you.

DanOhh

Likes your post. I started running about 7 weeks now. Im getting better at it but theres times I struggle. How many times did you run in a week when you first started. And when did you increase? I ran on sat sun and monday. I usually dont do 3 days in a row but on sat we just ran around the gym at a school and I ran for 20 minutes straight. I was so amazed how well I done that the next day I ran on a treadmill and could barely do 3 minutes without stopping, the next day I done a little better and ran outdoors and ran for 10 minutes without stopping. I took tuesday off and on wed I struggled really hard. I dont know if my body is tired or its because I ate 1 1/2 before I ran and I did feel bloated. Could you please share what work for you.

I started of running 3 times a week. I didn't see any increase for about the first two months and it is very gradual (which can be discouraging) In Jan/Feb I was running 4 to 5 times a week but speed wasn't increasing at all. Days off are important for muscle building along w/speed.

defygravity531

I just did my first 5k. I wasn't even able to jog the whole thing, I had to walk some. I finished in 44 minutes and 35 seconds. BUT I FINISHED. Having started my weightloss journey at 215 pounds on a 5'1" frame, I NEVER thought I'd be able to run at ALL, let alone a 5K. And I wasn't even the last person to finish! Haha there were about 1000 runners total and I was # 958 to cross the finish line.

Run4iiiiiit

very encouraging