5k times for the heavier folks

freew67

Ive searched the net and looked thru a heard of post here about 5k times. I see a lot of 5k's in the 20 and 30 min range but a good chunk of them seem to be by folks less than 200 lbs. Im looking for folks 250 lbs or heaving (300+ would be better) that have done a 5k. I managed to jog (crawl) 3.1 miles nonstop the other day and it took me 45:35. While I know this is slow as can be but then again Im 306 lbs. So fess up fellow fatties, anyone else out there attempt an official or unofficial 5k and live to tell about it? Im just trying to get an idea of how bad or actually how good my time might be.

I love chicken...

wbgolden

I think that's a fine time. My first 5k was at about 207 and it was 39 minutes and some change. Mostly though, just aim to do a little better every time. You don't need to worry about other people. You need to worry about you.

seasonalvoodoo

My first 5K time was like 52 mins.

yogavegan

my first 5k i was around 250 and my time was around 46 mins.

gp79

My first 5k was at 250lbs (I'm 6'3). 24:08. To get better at anything, no matter the disabilitating factor, you need to keep doing it.

shaj316

The only time I did a 5K was about 7 years ago and I was probably about 235-240 lbs. I seem to recall finishing in 41 minutes.

sarscott

I n't been able to run a mile consecutively yet, but honestly my goal for that is under an hour and work down from there. From the sounds of it, you're doing good.

techymum

I'm not in the weight range you noted, but my 5k time was 42:12 and I was ecstatic and proud :-) Honestly, its all relative. The fact that we are competing in these races is a feat in itself :-)

I have my next 5k in 2 weeks, and am hoping to come in at about 40 minutes. I have also signed up for a 10k and fully expect it to take me 80 minutes.

Happy running!

MlleDee

My first 5k was when I was at 345lbs. I know it took me over an hour. Maybe 1:20, walked the whole way...embarrassingly had to take a breather about 3/4 through, and I finished DEAD LAST! That's not me anymore!

Elizabeth_C34

I am currently training for a 5k and my practice times are around 45 mins. I'm 188 lbs. It really depends on your fitness level more than your weight.

bregalad5

I'm 198 and did my first 5k today. I came in at around 41:59. I don't know the exact number, that's just what I saw right before crossing the finish line. I've only been running for just over a month, so I'm pretty proud of that number, especially since it was in an extremely hilly area of town!

jrich1

My first one when I was 245'ish I did 32min.

KazziaLlewellynn

I am 338 and am doing my first 5k this coming Saturday. I'm going to be the Race for the Cure. So I'll let you know. Bumping this to my topics.

Maputi

but you finished. the process is as important as the product.

MlleDee

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only seriously obese person to ever feel like donning a pair of running shoes and signing up for a 5k. But I did feel bad posting my time...seriously all you 30-45 minute guys. Slow down for the fat girls like me!! LOL

EmpressOfJudgment

I ran a 5K today with 2 people in that range. One finished just under 40 minutes and the other in about 49 minutes.

Don't worry about your speed. That will come in time if you stay consistent. Be proud of yourself for doing it. Every day you make the decisions to get yourself out there for a run is a day closer to your goals.

Elzecat

Congrats on your NSV! The first time I ran a full mile I was STOKED. I started running about 40 pounds ago, and even at average weight, I'm still a pretty slow runner compared to some people. My 5k times range from 34-38 minutes.

Focus on your accomplishments and don't worry too much about speed.

freew67

Thanks everyone for posting your times. It looks like Im on par with my age/weight. I know there are 100 of other factors involved but I was just curious where I stood in relation to everyone else. Ive looked at race results but all they say is sex, age, and time.

@bregalad5 Congrats!

@Kazzia Good Luck! My wife and a good chunk of her family just did the Race for the Cure 5k walk.

@photogrrl Trust me, when I looked down at my phone (cardio trainer) and saw I passed the 1 mile mark I couldnt believe it. When I looked at my HRM watch and saw my heart wasnt ready to explode, I was floored. I never expected to hit a mile while being over 300 lbs just like I didnt expect to do a 5k either. Before that my best distance was .6 miles. Speed? Im fairly sure as people drive by and see me jogging they get their cell phone out to call 911 waiting for me to hit the floor. Speed and me were never friends growing up.

@MlleDee There is absolutely no reason to feel bad posting your time. Your time is what it is and the only way to change it is to get back out there. By posting it you may have just helped other 300+ folks to get off their butt and put on a pair of running shoes. Thats part of the reason I posted this. I havent seen many post about us SOON to be skinnier folks even attempting a 5k. As others have put it, were out there trying and thats all that matters.

Thanks again everyone!

urbanmasala

OMG!!! I have no idea about the times for heavier people, as I have never run since being over 200 lbs. Heck, I barely get out and walk because it bothers my lower back and hips, BUT...after reading this, I feel so inspired. I was thinking I might start after I lost a few more pounds, but I'm going to step it up and give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration! ;-)

jhardenbergh

I was lighter than 250 at my first 5k, I was 5'7 230 lbs, I finished at 34 minutes. It is definately more about fitness level than weight though.

bregalad5

OMG!!! I have no idea about the times for heavier people, as I have never run since being over 200 lbs. Heck, I barely get out and walk because it bothers my lower back and hips, BUT...after reading this, I feel so inspired. I was thinking I might start after I lost a few more pounds, but I'm going to step it up and give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration! ;-)

You can definitely do it! Do NOT be afraid to walk if you have to. Take a look at the C25k program if you want something structured, or use lamp posts/mailboxes/driveways/anything that will give you intervals as motivation

amccrazgrl

I have walked 2 5K's at around 48 mins each time. Today I walked 2.8 miles in 40 mins. I'm 154 pounds but loathe cardio so I say its good for me. Next weekend I'll be doing my 3rd 5K.

lacroyx

31yr old, 6'3, male

1st 5K Sept 2011
time 46:56
weight 335 lbs.
Wogged it. 60% jog 40% walk

2nd 5K Oct. 2011
time 46:25
weight 330 lbs.
Jogged 75% walked 25%
was super proud besides improving on time, this course had lots of hills. including a long S curve that = almost 300 feet in elevation.

3rd 5K training just this past weekend.
Time 42:51
weight 330 lbs.
Jogged 85% walked 15%

edit: oops put a 2 instead of a 4 :blushing:

JeninBelgium

Thanks for your posting! It takes me about an hour to do a 5k, if I am going as fast as I can I can maybe do it in 50+ minutes - if I am doing a hauling butt but not enough to kill me pace an hour

I actually wanted to enter a women's charity event for a 5km but they had a 45 minute time limit- crazy as I was entering simply to do it and raise money for charity not to compete for a prize!!

tlcoke

I did my first 5K on October 1st. I walked 3 miles and jogged the last .1 miles. I finished in 58.59 but that includes the 4 minutes it took to get to the official start line. My goal was to finish in under an hour. My training walks were usually in the 52 -55 minute range.

I hope to do another one in the future and better my time with more jogging and less walking.

freew67

@JeninBelgium Your welcome if that was directed at me At this point in life, finishing the 5k is the prize. I might do a 5k soon so I have an excuse to get new clothes.

@amccrazgrl The funny thing is, Im sure my walking speed and jogging speed isnt far off. The main dif for me was my heart rate stayed up when I attempted to jog. I was the same way, anything cardio was against my religion for a long time. Im a stay at home dad right now and some days its just a way to get out of the house.

@tlcoke my wife did the Race for the Cure 5k and said it was around 5-10 mins before they got to the official start line. They were walking for a bit then went, "WTH! I thought we already started!"

mamalissa

I walked a 5K in April while pushing my daughters in a double-stroller. Definitely not going for time, was the absolute last person to cross the finish line. Granted, we got the girls out and jogged across the finish line. Friends took the stroller. Time was 58 mins. I was happy to finish under an hour!

As a kid I ran 5K's with my siblings and dad. I remember finishing dead last when I was 9!!!! My time: 36:16!!!! It was hard to finish a 5K last as a kid. But, it didn't stop me! I ran cross country and long-distance track (the 1 mile and 2 mile). My best mile time was something like 7:11 or something, I was super thrilled. I tended to be the 2nd to last slowest in high school.

I put on 50 lbs as a college freshman. And eventually doubled my weight (from 130 to 260) ... I got down to 201 about 6 yrs ago... then put on 30 (in 3 months) after I lost my son (in a house fire, when he was 6). Then I gained another 18 lbs in a year after having my youngest daughter!

Anyway, the point of all that history was to say that, though a runner as a child/teen, I hadn't ran in over 15 years!!! I tried and couldn't even last 30 seconds!!! quite a wake up call. i started the C25K program in April and started running a 5K weekly back in September! The first time I jog/walked a full 5K my time was 42:44!

Then, I ran 40:15 and 38:15.... My last 5K was the day before my son's (would've been) 12th bday... I haven't run another since. Oh btw, my weight when running these 5K's was about 230 lbs...

sorry for the super long reply. thanks for reading, those who did!

peace, melissa

johnny_k

Did my first 5K back in mid August. I weighed 247 and finished in 42:31. Couldn't run the whole thing and had to walk some.
Second 5K was October 1st, weighed 232 and finished in 34:50. Ran the whole thing, no walking.

Aiming for the 30 min mark for my next 5K.

KazziaLlewellynn

Okay well I did the race for the cure and even with a 10 minute traffic stop (thanks to a firefighter changing shirts) and jogging while my partner took a potty break I finished in 1 hour and 10 mins. Sad but I could not go faster for all the other 45000 women on a 3 mile stretch.

freew67

My wife had the same issue. There was so many people doing it that time really wasnt the goal... You finished, congrats!

chairperson

Bump Bump! 5Ks abound this time of year and I'm in a similar boat.

I have no qualms about walking/hiking 3/5/8/12 miles, whatever, but running kills me. I've faltered on my c25k diligence in favor of other cardio work that would keep my heart rate at a more even pace. My heart rate spikes like crazy as soon as I try to run. I plan on getting back on the c25k bandwagon over the next month in prep for the 5k, but I have no misconceptions about the fact that I'll be walking much of it.

I've looked for similar advice on what kind of times I should dream about and found little, so this is a great thread. I'd done the math though on my own and figured that 45 minutes should be attainable with a mix of walking, running, and gasping.