Am I the only super slow runner on the planet?

2

Replies

  • Melolicious
    Melolicious Posts: 71 Member
    That's my 'shuffle' pace... I can go forever at that pace and it's my safe zone, easy on my knees and joints and I keep my form at all times. I chase finish lines, not other people, lol.
  • PaleoRDH
    PaleoRDH Posts: 266
    I am a slow runner too. I think I average about 15 minute miles. This stays about the same no matter how good a shape I am in or how my weight fluctuates. If I try to go faster, running becomes unpleasant and when I finish a run, I want to feel energized and strong, not like I want to fall down and die.

    That said, I have come to terms with my slowness. I have been the very last runner in at least 2 5k races and 1 10k race. I have had walkers finish ahead of me. That's OK. I am outside, I am moving, I am doing something that improves my health and I am a h*ll of a lot faster than someone sitting on their couch watching TV and snacking.

    There is a man who writes a column for Runner's World magazine named John Bingham. He calls himself the Penguin because he is slow and he waddles. He has united many, many slow but steady runners.


    I love that guy (John Bingham) he's got the right 'tude! I've read a few of his things, very inspirational, make you wanna say "F* YA I can do it too!!!" :bigsmile:
  • KLo924
    KLo924 Posts: 379 Member
    I am also really slow - YAY SLOW RUNNERS! :) I tend to go about 12:30/mi for shorter runs (3-5m) but slow down with distance. I'm training for a marathon now, and today I did 15 mi. at a 14:43 pace. I'm 5'5".

    Anyway, I have a HRM and find I tend to burn around 12 calories a minute. Each run's a little different, and each person will be a little different too. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 12 min/mi calculator, though, if you're actually jogging. That's closer to the cal.s burned for me than walking paces.

    Regardless, keep it up! :) Remember: 1) Forward is a pace, and 2) You're lapping everyone on the couch!
  • WarriorReady
    WarriorReady Posts: 571 Member
    Great advice so far everyone! Just wanted to say stay at it, and don't worry about the time but how you are feeling. Keep pushing through! :flowerforyou:
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    "jogging" and "running" can be interchangeable, or not. If you're a fast runner, perhaps you consider a slower run for yourself to be a "jog". But that doesn't mean what you consider a slow pace, for others, is insignificant. The terminology doesn't matter at all. Jogging and running are the same gait.

    Everyone has their own standard in terms of "fast" and "slow". I ran a 10k yesterday that I am SO disappointed about because I ran it in 1:03:45. It was my first 10k and I've only been running since like the end of May this year. Realistically though, I know that speed has more to do with experience over time than talent, and I don't have the necessary experience yet.

    No adult (with no running experience) I've ever met started out as an 8-minute miler. The first "serious" goal for a new runner, across the board, is a 10 minute mile. It may take you longer than it takes others, but speed comes naturally with experience and distance. You can't push yourself to be faster than you are. If you run faster than your fastest sustainable pace, you will not be able to run your furthest distance. If you run more frequently, and regularly (like once a week or two) push yourself in terms of DISTANCE, you will find yourself getting faster at the shorter runs because you don't need to pace yourself.

    Edit: In terms of calories burned, without a HRM, 100 calories per mile is a good estimate. It's not going to be totally off base, and it's what I usually estimate for myself.
  • KLo924
    KLo924 Posts: 379 Member
    IIRC, anything under 6mph is 'jogging' not 'running'?

    Only for snobbish people who like to belittle others. Running is running regardless of the pace. (and no, I'm not saying you're belittling others, but many people use the term jogging to do so). Running is a gait. The same gait as jogging, just like there's no difference between walking slowly or walking fast in terms of the gait.


    Really? Interesting. I read it on a couple of running technique/instruction websites.

    So there's really just 'walking/running/sprinting' then?

    I've read that the difference between jogging and running is a racing bib :) ...I think it's a matter of mindset
  • MissFit0101
    MissFit0101 Posts: 2,382
    Is your 16 minute mile only running? No walking breaks? The truth is you burn around the same amount of calories per mile, regardless of how fast you run or walk it.
  • DenisePenland
    DenisePenland Posts: 21
    I cant even run a mile right now!!
  • ewhirly02
    ewhirly02 Posts: 31 Member
    Try using the Nike plus running app. It should be free and it gives you an estimate to how many calories you burn during your workout. It is always really close for me.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Out on the bike path where I usually run along the beach, sometimes I see walkers pass runners. I just laugh to myself a little. It's all good though, just kind of funny when you see it.

    Keep on keeping on.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    Yup, and old guy speed walking was clipping my heals, so I had to pick up my pace. I don't log it as jogging so I can't help with the math. I just take what my fitbit gives me.
  • brittknee12889
    brittknee12889 Posts: 1
    No worries! It takes me 24 - 25 minutes. I think I have you beat for slowest runner on the planet lol :-P :-P :-P My issue isn't my muscles.. it's the breathing. I get out of breath soooo quick.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    Oh, and 60 pounds lost on your ticker. Your not so slow. What ever you are doing is working fine. Congrats.
  • fatmom51
    fatmom51 Posts: 173 Member
    IIRC, anything under 6mph is 'jogging' not 'running'?

    Only for snobbish people who like to belittle others. Running is running regardless of the pace. (and no, I'm not saying you're belittling others, but many people use the term jogging to do so). Running is a gait. The same gait as jogging, just like there's no difference between walking slowly or walking fast in terms of the gait.

    I don't think the poster intended to belittle anyone. I think it was meant to help direct them to where they might find the activity at the given speed listed. Some of the activity/exercise lists use different terminology to designate differences in speed/rate and come up with a more accurate approximation of the calories burned.
  • melb2003
    melb2003 Posts: 198
    When I started running, I was at around 17 mins, but that was with intervals of running. I am still having a heard time running a mile, but with intervals I average 13:30 secs right now.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    IIRC, anything under 6mph is 'jogging' not 'running'?

    Only for snobbish people who like to belittle others. Running is running regardless of the pace. (and no, I'm not saying you're belittling others, but many people use the term jogging to do so). Running is a gait. The same gait as jogging, just like there's no difference between walking slowly or walking fast in terms of the gait.

    I don't think the poster intended to belittle anyone. I think it was meant to help direct them to where they might find the activity at the given speed listed. Some of the activity/exercise lists use different terminology to designate differences in speed/rate and come up with a more accurate approximation of the calories burned.

    I don't think so either (and stated that). But I have seen FAR too many people who do use the term in that way. And I want to smack every single one of them. Like when I mention I went running, they find out how slow I am, and then say, oh you're not running, you're JUST jogging. To belittle my effort...well, yes, I get angry and bitter LOL.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Like when I mention I went running, they find out how slow I am, and then say, oh you're not running, you're JUST jogging.

    Honestly, this has ever happened to you? I'm surprised...
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Like when I mention I went running, they find out how slow I am, and then say, oh you're not running, you're JUST jogging.

    Honestly, this has ever happened to you? I'm surprised...

    MANY times.
  • pt85
    pt85 Posts: 28 Member
    “Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. You start with easy, because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a **** how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one – you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” - Caballo Blanco
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    MANY times.

    Sorry... that really sucks
  • fatmom51
    fatmom51 Posts: 173 Member
    Like when I mention I went running, they find out how slow I am, and then say, oh you're not running, you're JUST jogging.

    Honestly, this has ever happened to you? I'm surprised...

    MANY times.

    Wow! That IS insulting and I can see why you'd be really ticked off. You're right -- jogging is running, just a different set of terms -- and all of that physical activity is definitely a great workout, no matter what anyone calls it. I'm extremely slow, so in my opinion anyone going much faster is running in my book -- LOL!
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    I run so slow they are picking up the barricades, banners, and trash cans as I go by.
    :laugh: I see I am among my people.

    I really appreciate the great advice and, well, like I said, the validation.
    I don't think I care much about increasing my pace. This pace works for me, running is pleasant and something I look forward to, and it wouldn't be if I tried to push that envelope. Since I don't have a HRM yet (I just ordered one), I go by my wind endurance to gauge the best aerobic pace for me--I can talk and breathe through my nose if I want, but I can't really sing. That's the pace I like to maintain. (And I try to sing anyway, since I am presumably alone--one of these days someone's gonna catch me all off tune and weird though).

    I appreciate the comments and the help. A lot! :drinker:
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    Oh, and 60 pounds lost on your ticker. Your not so slow. What ever you are doing is working fine. Congrats.
    Thanks! I am gonna turn 50 early next year, and I gotta say, I've never felt better or been healthier in my life. If you had told me two years ago that I would be a size 6 again I'd have told you that you're crazy. (I don't think I've been this size since 6th grade).
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    Like when I mention I went running, they find out how slow I am, and then say, oh you're not running, you're JUST jogging.

    Honestly, this has ever happened to you? I'm surprised...

    MANY times.

    Wow! That IS insulting and I can see why you'd be really ticked off. You're right -- jogging is running, just a different set of terms -- and all of that physical activity is definitely a great workout, no matter what anyone calls it. I'm extremely slow, so in my opinion anyone going much faster is running in my book -- LOL!
    I think if someone said that to me, I'd chuckle inwardly (and perhaps outwardly a little) to myself and assume they had some sort of insecurity. I am happy with my pace and don't care if it ever changes. If someone looks down their nose at me for that, well phththththththth to them. :laugh:
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    I am a slow runner who started running 18 months ago, I have managed to move up from 3.5 mph to 4.3 mph and I think I am stuck here for a bit until I start losing more weight again.
    Good luck & keep running!!! Just remember you are always faster than the person sat on the couch!!! :flowerforyou:

    I love ^ this quote :)
  • supergirl6
    supergirl6 Posts: 224 Member
    I am also a slow runner. I started out with a 19 minute mile and have increasingly sped that up since I started back in February. Like another poster, I've faced the whole "Oh no, you're just a jogger honey, not a runner. You need to get faster before you're running." This attitude makes me crazy, so does the one where the slow runner says something like, "RIght now I can only jog a mile, but some day I'd like to be able to run it."

    I think the term "jogging" has been overtaken by many as an inferior form of running. Not for everyone, of course. Running is running is running.

    When I first started running at a slow 3.5 I thought I was flying on the treadmill! Now I'm at a 4.8 and some days I feel like the Flash. It doesn't matter that the girl two treadmills down is working an impressive 7. It doesn't lesson what I'm doing.

    Whether you're slow, fast, an interval runner, or you haven't quite made your first mile, it's all equal. It's all awesome. There's no comparing one runner to the next - we're all running our own journey and everyone starts somewhere.
  • tobd55
    tobd55 Posts: 14 Member
    I am a runner.
    6' 4" 240lbs, 57 years old. I have lost 60 lbs since last September. I started a C210K program 12 weeks ago. During that span my 5K time has dropped from 47:28 to a 43:59. My goal is to get inside of 40 minutes for a 5K time. Everything I have read about beginning running has said it takes time and patience, and the best way to get there is by putting the miles in. I was told don't worry about the speed work yet, mainly because the risk of injury is to great at this time, because my body was not ready for the added stresses yet.

    It has only been recently that during my runs I have been able to get in the zone. No pain, no labored breathing, no thoughts or worries of outside issues. Just running. I love it.

    "It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit."
    George Sheehan
  • jenny95662
    jenny95662 Posts: 997 Member
    I'm going to assume that the reason your software is calculating it that way is that 3.5 to 4mph is a brisk/fast walk for many people, running for others.

    My best suggestion would be to invest in a heart rate monitor, that way you're not relying on a piece of software that's probably not taking into account individual differences.


    agree a heart rate monitor is good investment. I use to be able to run a 13 to 14 min mile and burned a good amount in that time.
  • countrygal2004
    countrygal2004 Posts: 82 Member
    I love this thread! Now I know I'm not alone! Thank you for starting it. I really like the quote - you're always faster than the person on the couch! So true.

    I did my very first organized 5K run yesterday and I was 46:12. 2 full minutes faster than I had run it on my own. I walked quite a bit in that time. My friend was running with me. She is a seasoned runner and she was able to speed walk the same pace as I ran. You gotta start somewhere. We don't start out running 10 minute miles! My very first run averaged 18:33/mile. Yesterday (a month and a half later) I am averaging 14:55/mile. It takes time a perseverance. You can do it and so can I. :)

    :bigsmile:
  • zippo32
    zippo32 Posts: 1,407 Member
    I run so slow they were packing up the water station, and I needed a drink!

Categories