RUNNERS: come here!

brun73

I started C25K the end of April and I'm getting ready to start week 7 today. On the last run of week 6 which was a straight 2.25 mile run my pace was 11:42. I agree with everyone else the 1st mile SUCKS, but when I finsh I'm almost disapointed that the run is over. I'm going to run my 1st 5k next Saturday. I wont be totally finshed with the program, but I will have one 2.75 run under my belt before the race so I think I should be fine adding an extra 1/4 mile to my run.

UrbanRunner81

a 5k race I can go under 8:30ish minute mile. My first half I ran it in like 11 minute mile last year.

I've been back to running in the last 2 years. Causal run is like 9:30 minute mile.

When I used to run before I was never fast, so I am pretty happy with my pace.

stopdangerpi

Last year I started running in July for the first time in my life and did a 10k in October with a 10 minute mile. Then I got lazy over the winter and am starting all over again. Clocking in around 11 minute mile and barely able to run a 5k. I have another 10k coming up in July and do not plan on giving up this time. I just focus on how good it is going to feel to finish a race. I picture that when I run and damn, it does feel good to finish a race.

runningxlove

My top speed in a 5K is 6:59 min/mile. I've been running consistently for almost 6 years. I'm addicted!

Lbekah72

LOVE THIS!!!!!!!
Ok so I have been consistently running now for about 4 ½ months (started couch to 5 k four months ago and completed) My average mile time is all over the place it depends so much on what I have eaten & my hydration... anywhere from 9:38 (best yet) to 11:58 (Slow day). I just ran my first 5K in 10 years two weeks ago and finished in 34! Current in training for a half marathon... My longest run to date has been 6 miles..
So to answer your question.... for me it hasn’t been so much that its gotten easier as much as I enjoy it more.. Running has kind of become my sanctuary... A place that’s all mine... in my mind and body.. Also I still have quite a bit of weight to loose so as the weight comes off I feel a difference FOR SURE!! And the first 8-10 are always the hardest.. Although I found a trick that works for me that beat the " first 10min dread" I ride a stationary bike with little to no resistance for 15 mines before I run and it seams to kind of bypass that yucky first ten..
So far they key for me has just been CONSISTANCY!!! Just do it!!! Slow, fast whatever, just one foot in front of the other. Cuz if you don’t its amazing how fast you lose it. I vacationed in Maui recently and sliced my foot on Coral and couldn’t run for a week and when I ran again I was like WHAT THE HECK SOMEONE KILL ME!!!!!!lol...
Just keep it up! Strong mind Strong Body!

jetabear10

bumpity bump bump

waskier

Started running last December. Finished my first 10K about 7 weeks ago and have my first 1/2 marathon in two weeks (Rock 'n Roll, baby!). I really recommend switching up your training to add variety. It has really helped me.

I run speed drills once a week (on a treadmill - two minute warmup, then increase speed 1 mile an hour every minute for 4 minutes, then back to warmup speed. I do that 4-5 times)

Slow tempo runs once a week. These are really just relatively easy 60-70 percent of max runs for about an hour.

Long runs once a week - I have built up to 14 miles I run on Saturday. I try to add 1 mile per week. My objective is actually 2 hours, but so far I have been able to add a mile a week without killing myself and while staying within my time limit.

Three days a week I lift and then walk for 20-60 minutes. The lifting has really helped my legs on hills.

The first mile can still be tough, but it isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be. Good luck! :drinker:

slm0257

This makes me feel so much better. I started C25K and got to about week 6 or so and then just started running and not really using the app. I made it 2 miles on my best run ever. Now I struggle with a mile. Guess its nice to know that the first mile is hard for most everyone. Maybe I just need to push past that and keep going! The humidity is really proving to be hard on me too. My first 5K is in 2 weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to run the whole thing like I had hoped (unless some miracle happens between now and then!).

You can do anything you set your mind to also the people there will inspire you to keep going by seeing them still going

This is my first 5K ever and my first Color Run ever! Yippee! I am so excited and can't wait for it to get here!


Thanks for the encouragement! I'm doing the Color Run in 2 weeks so I'm hopeful that with the excitement of it all, I will do better than I think. We shall see!

I am doing the color run in KC on the 30th! So excited! Have you ever done it before?

I have been running 3 years, tomorrow I am doing the first 5K I ever did for the third year in a row in my experience I always feel better after I have my first mile in, I usually spend the first mile trying to remember why I am doing this and then enjoying the rest of the run, doesn't matter if I am running 2 or 12, the first one is always the killer. I usually run around a 10 minute mile pace.

Keep at it, I have met so many people and made so many friends through running!!

Roadie2000

10-minute mile or so. I suck at running. I've been running on and off for like 8 years, but generally I don't run much in the winter because it gets cold her and I get sick of the treadmill.

lhiatt

Wow, great to read everyone's story. I just started "running" (lope, jog, shuffle) in April to add to my daily workouts. I'm sort of doing the C25K, well not officially, I am just doing intervals. I am up to 1.5 minutes...today I ran 3 minutes. Seems like NOTHING compared to the rest of you! But man when I ran the 3 minutes at once today I felt like I was something! Hahaha. I love reading the stories...maybe I just need to push through the pain and hopefully I can run further!? My whole life I always said I WILL NEVER EVER RUN...well I'm running! (slow but running it is!)

kristinegift

I've been running since early 2008, but I've been sidelined with knee injuries for a while. I really got back into in March of this year. I've progressed from 9:30-10 minute miles to 8:00-8:40 miles. Right now I'm running in the early evening when it's still really hot/sunny to try to get used to the heat, so I'm running more at the 8:30-8:40 end of the spectrum (if not slower). But I usually do 3-4 miles at a time, 4-5 days a week, and one of those days is a long run (6-12 miles).

Duck_Puddle

Wow, great to read everyone's story. I just started "running" (lope, jog, shuffle) in April to add to my daily workouts. I'm sort of doing the C25K, well not officially, I am just doing intervals. I am up to 1.5 minutes...today I ran 3 minutes. Seems like NOTHING compared to the rest of you! But man when I ran the 3 minutes at once today I felt like I was something! Hahaha. I love reading the stories...maybe I just need to push through the pain and hopefully I can run further!? My whole life I always said I WILL NEVER EVER RUN...well I'm running! (slow but running it is!)

3 minutes IS something-10 seconds IS something. My entire "journey" was started because of 30 second sprint (story in my profile if you're into that kind of thing). Those 30 seconds completely changed my life. So you absolutely have every right to feel you did something-because you did!

arc918

I've been running consistently for the last 10 year now. In that time I have run over 18,000 miles. I always run outside, in 10 years I have logged less than 10 miles on the dreadmill.

My pace depends on what I am up to. Easy runs might be 9:30 pace. Long runs are ~ 8:30 - 8:45 pace. Tempos are 7:15 - 7:30. Miles repeats and other Intervals are ~ 6:30 pace. Recovery can be 10:00+ pace.

MinnieInMaine

My average pace depends on the distance. If I just do a mile, I can get around 10 min/mile. If I do a 5k, I usually average somewhere around 10 1/2- 11 min/mile.

When I started out doing C25K on the treadmill (oh, about a year and half ago), I think my speed was like 4.3mph and I thought I'd die after a minute at that pace. Ha! It took a lot of time and practice but I slowly got better and faster. I finally got fitted for running shoes a few months ago, which helped a lot with reduction of pain and my pace.

I'm trying to run 2 or 3 times a week now but I don't like running on the treadmill (it's boring and I tend to be sore the next day) so it all depends on the weather. My 2nd 5k is in 2 weeks!

ETA - as far as that first mile goes, it depends on the day. Some days, it's great and some days I'm just not feeling it but I push myself to at least finish that 1st mile (unless I'm actually in pain, that's a different story) and then if I'm still not feeling it, I'll stop and walk for a bit and then run another mile, etc.

bonjour24

How fast is your average mile? How long have you been running?

Also-- I've found that I really DO like to run... I'm finishing couch to 5k right now, and I find that in the first 8-10 min of running, I constantly think about quitting and starting again tomorrow... lol (I haven't quit.)--- do these feelings ever go away? Does it get easier?

I've been running for about18 months now, and I'm a c25k grad too. My average pace over a shorter run is about 11 min mile. Longer runs is about 13mm.

I've now run 5 halves and a full, and I'm planning another full in 5 months. And I don't think it has got any easier! I mean I can go further and faster than I could, but I still find it as hard as I did a year ago. Maybe it has to do with putting in the same perceived effort? The first mile sucks, every single time.

CarsonRuns

How fast is your average mile?

Average for what? I do runs at lots of different paces. My easy run pace is anywhere between 8:45 and 9:45 m/m. My mile RACE pace is around 5:45 m/m (haven't raced a mile in almost 2 years).

How long have you been running?

A little over 8 years

Also-- I've found that I really DO like to run... I'm finishing couch to 5k right now, and I find that in the first 8-10 min of running, I constantly think about quitting and starting again tomorrow... lol (I haven't quit.)--- do these feelings ever go away?

Yes...and no.

Does it get easier?

See previous answer.

Just keep at it and slow down if it gets too hard. The fitness will come.

PeachyPlum

Thanks for asking this question! I've also been struggling with that first mile, want to quit feeling (and sometimes I actually do just call it a day and head home). I feel so relieved that even the seasoned runners have to push through it - I think it will actually make it easier for me to do the same!

momofJandA

I've been running since last summer (minus a 14 week stint when I broke my ankle and had surgery, Nov.-Feb.,, started back again March 1st)
I run 4-5 times a week, 5-8 miles at a time (for now- I increase my "long" runs by .5-1 mile a week). Average pace is 8:00-8:40 a mile. the first mile is the hardest for me- my body is stiff, I run at 5am, and I always think "short run day" but 95% of the time it ends up being a longer run (i thought "short run day" every day this week and ran 8 miles EVERY day this week). It just takes my body some time to get in the groove.
I love running- its my escape, my time, nobody but me and the rhythm of running. I am a much better Mommy and teacher (I teach 6th grade) when I run.

RhondaSawchuk

You're not alone!! I feel that way as well for the first 5 to 10 min..I can't seem to take a deep enough breath I just want to quit. When I started I could only run maybe 3mins at a time now its up to 20min. After 2weeks it seems to be getting easier and easier. 10km goal here I come!

Reptileszz

Running since 2009 when I blew my knee out. Restarted towards the end of 2009 and just PR'd a 5k at 23:55 Run almost every day and love it.

TidoWyla

I started running in January, and currently am training for a 10K. We live on gravel, so I'm generally always slower when I train, I usually average an 10:30-11 mm while training, I've done four 5ks this year and the last two I've been running a 9:30 per mile. The first mile always sucks, after that it's not bad at all. I just started training for the 10K so I'm only running 4 miles at a time right now.

knapowell

I have been running since May of last year. My pace averages 9-10:00 minutes per mile depending on so many things (weather, long or short run, etc.). Like many others, I have the hardest time starting out, but sometimes for me that feeling lasts into miles 2 and 3. Once I am able to pass that point, I can go as long as my knee lets me. I had a knee injury last October, which kept me from running for several months. I kept trying to push it and come back too soon - I don't advise that. 3 miles is my short run, and I try to run at least 4 times per week.

tigerbluefly

I started running when I turned 40, 2 years ago. I never was a runner before. Did some sprinting in grade school if you count that. I thought since I was 40 it was time to do something just for me. I had gone through a divorce and needed to find myself again and do something just for me, for once, instead of always being the wife and mother and not caring about my time.

I started running in March of 2010 and ran a half marathon that same year in September. I didn't run it very fast, but I completed it and was so happy! I was hooked after that.

I ran a 30K the following March (2011), and then several more half marathons, a 10 miler, a 26K trail run, all leading up to my full marathon last October.

My pace got faster the more I ran, without even working on speed. I did start speed work and hills for the marathon training though and increased my speed so that I could aim for a sub 4 hour marathon. I did. I came in at 3:59:47.

I did strength training (P90X) over the winter and have increased my speed more with added strength. I recommend that you add that into your mix.

I am training for my second marathon right now, it will be in October. I am aiming to BQ. I need to come in under 3:45 so I have some work to do. I know I am capable of anything I put my mind too so I'm going to work hard to get there.

As for my speeds, I train a different speeds but never race pace. I average at 5:40 per/km (not sure what that is in miles) for my regular runs. My race pace depends on the distance I'm going but my half marathon last week I hit a pace of 5:21 per/km. I need to hold that pace, actually a bit lower, 5:18-5:20, for my full marathon to qualify for Boston. Right now, holding it for a half was a challenge, but I have the next 18 weeks ahead of me to change that.

I think about quiting a lot, usually when it's a long run and it hurts. I wonder why am I doing this!! But when I finish and realize what I just did, I feel great. Sign yourself up for a 5K race and see what you think. I run so I can race. I love the race environment, getting out there with the 1% of the population that dedicate themselves to doing this. No better feeling then crossing the finish line to a crowd cheering you on.

All the best in your running! Good for you for getting out there!

jfeh

This post has helped me some, also...I started running several years ago to prepare for a huge 15k we have locally. Nevery in a million years did I think I could do this distance. My goal was to do it in under 2 hours, being new to running & everything, and I had also injured myself during training. I finished at 2 hours 2 minutes. I set out the following year preparing and not allowing myself to take time off...I got sick a couple of days before the race and fnished in 2 hours 5 minutes, major bummer!

You should be careful about setting time goals for this exact reason. If you set a goal and don't reach it, you will feel disappointed and let down, when you should feel happy and proud of what you accomplished! The first time you run a race of any distance, you should make your goal simply to finish the race, that way you set yourself up for success and you can feel good that you accomplished your goal!

iRebel

9 min. mile pace, been running for two years, but I have been running for 4 months since taking 6 onths off due to injury.

billsica

I average a 10:30 - 11:30/ min mile. It depends on my overall distance.
I have been running for about 2 years and took the winter off.

melb2003

I just started to run about a month ago. I still have about 90 lbs to lose and at first I would do my intervals of run 1 minute and speed walk 1 minute. This past Friday, I finally decided to try and push myself even more, and for the first time EVER, I ran 1.25 miles without stopping whatsoever. I averaged 12:30 on that mile. I ran again yesterday and did 1.5 miles just to add a little more distance, and I averaged the same time. I usually feel really tight in the first 1/2 mile, and that is even with stretching before hand really good. It seems like it is getting easier and easier for me the more I practice.

Good luck!!!

mlb929

I started running in February 2010. I did my first marathon in October 2010 at an 11:17 pace. I did my first half marathon in June 2011 at a 9:57 pace, and PR'd my half marathon in March at 9:13 MPM. I've since completed 3 more half's at just a few seconds off my PR.

I'm now training for my second marathon this fall and training at 9:13 MPM pace for that as well. I want to push it up a little, but my true goal is to run the whole thing and finish injury free. Don't care if it's at 4:30 or 4:15 or even 5:00 so long as I'm injury free.

I did run a quick 5.5 miles this AM at an avg of 8:57, and have gone faster on flatter routes.

walshirc

I started doing the C25K in April. I have wondered the same things.... does it get any better? I often think of quitting within the first few minutes, but I don't. I just think back to when I started the program and running for 60 seconds was hard. Now, that's a breeze, so surely it will get easier in small increments. Thanks for posting your questions and starting this thread. I am inspired by reading others' comments.

CarsonRuns

I'm now training for my second marathon this fall and training at 9:13 MPM pace for that as well. I want to push it up a little, but my true goal is to run the whole thing and finish injury free. Don't care if it's at 4:30 or 4:15 or even 5:00 so long as I'm injury free.

Be cautious with this. You should base your goal time and pace on what your previous race times are, adjusted for the distance. McMillian's calculator states that you should be training for a marathon to be run at 9:40 pace based on your previous Half Marathon finish times. You can't force your fitness down to a specific level. You have to develop your systems at the level that you are. The danger here is twofold. First, training of the marathon at too fast a pace could result in injury. Secondly, if you run the marathon at a pace you are not capable of sustaining, you will bonk and it will suck.

http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/index.php/calcUsage/calculate