Short "chubby" runners... what was your starting mile time?

HakunaMatata519
HakunaMatata519 Posts: 141 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm 5'3 and 157 pounds... I'm trying to lose another 17. I have never been able to run a straight mile in my entire life. In high school I would run/walk a mile in 16 minutes. Pathetic, I know. After adding the elliptical to my weight loss journey, I wanted to try running a mile on the treadmill to see if the elliptical had helped my endurance at all. My husband told me to go between 5 1/2 and 6 MPH because that's what he does. BIG mistake. He is quite a few inches taller than me and well.... a guy! I was practically tripping over myself trying to keep up with that pace and had to stop to walk every other minute. I did it in just under 13 minutes. I felt defeated and only ran that once, but continued with the elliptical.

Today, after continuing the elliptical, and halfway through Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and with a 5K race fast approaching, I decided to run outside, at my own pace. I tracked a mile with my car so I knew exactly where I was going. I RAN THE ENTIRE THING WITHOUT STOPPING!!!! I teared up when I got to the end... BUT, when I looked at my stopwatch, it read 12:54.... I was hoping for closer to 12 but I'll take it. When I got home and told my husband my time he said "Well, that's not terrible"... Gee, thanks lol

My question is, other short runners, when you started out, what was your time?! Did you get faster?? Or are you just able to run longer, but at the same pace? I just can't see my short legs being able to go at my husbands fast pace!!

I'm a little bummed because I looked up jogging on MFP and the highest they go is a 12 minute mile... a 13 minute mile is considered a very, very brisk walk LOL But I was JOGGING! Not walking!!!

The 5K I'm running with my husband in 3 1/2 weeks. Oh wait, the 5K I'm "very, very briskly walking" lol
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Replies

  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    8 mins a mile. Still 8 mins a mile. I have one speed & that's fine by me. I run 10km in 52 mins. Basically that is my time now. Started out being able to do it in 55 mins.
  • HakunaMatata519
    HakunaMatata519 Posts: 141 Member
    8 mins a mile. Still 8 mins a mile. I have one speed & that's fine by me. I run 10km in 52 mins. Basically that is my time now. Started out being able to do it in 55 mins.

    You started out at an 8 minute mile? Wow.
  • MissMormie
    MissMormie Posts: 359 Member
    It doesn't matter what other people do. What matters is that you're running, working out, looking after yourself. Even if you did a 60 minute mile, if that's what's helping you get fitter, get healthier and slimmer. Great!

    I've not really tracked my time when started out running, but I've frequently been overtaken by people walking dogs, so I'm pretty sure I slower at jogging than the very brisk pace you're at. And yes, you'll get a faster.

    Running on a treadmill and running outside is very different, it's much harder outside. So that you beat your treadmill time outside on the first try means you've already improved quite a bit.
  • Barberini
    Barberini Posts: 140 Member
    Also 5'3", I started around 10:30 and now run 9:30, aiming to get down to 8:30min/mile pace for a 5k.

    Edited to add: I don't know my exact time when I was still in the run-walk-run stage, but I think around 14mins. And I also run faster outside than on the treadmill.
  • argonex
    argonex Posts: 19
    I marked out a 5k circuit and when i started i could walk it in 55 mins (with the dog) now when I leave the dog at home and focus on running I can run all the way round in 45 minutes. Get your fitness up first then the sped will come later (so i'm told anyway)
  • katcunock
    katcunock Posts: 664 Member
    i'm about to attempt couch to 5 k for the first time tomorrow, at 5'3 and 214lb. i don't know if i can currently run a mile, but i can walk it in about 15 mins so i think i can relate. Have you tried looking up couch to 5k? in the uk it';s a running training programme based around an 8 week intervall training programme endorsed by the national health service. you could prob start a few weeks in if you can already run
  • BelindaDuvessa
    BelindaDuvessa Posts: 1,014 Member
    I hate running. I did a mile and a half, when I first started Boot Camp (yeah, Marine Corp Boot Camp....I sucked, and my Recruiter sucked even more for not preparing me....) at about 25 minutes for the 1.5 mile run. Yeah, pretty damned pathetic for trying to go into the military. I ended up getting it down to about 9-9:30. Now, I couldn't hope to do it in any decent amount of time. I didn't keep up with it at all after I was Discharged. That's one of my goals after I have this baby is to get back to being able to pass the Marine Corps fitness test.
  • kgb6days
    kgb6days Posts: 880 Member
    My first 5K was at 40 minutes. I've been running off and on for a couple of years now and my best time is 34 minutes for a 5K. Most outside miles are between 10 and 11 minutes. On an inside track I've managed to get a little below 9 minutes. I'm 56 and have COPD from 22 years of smoking (quit 18 years ago), so really struggle with my breathing. I use an inhaler before running and that helps. Now that you know what race I run, remember you are only racing yourself. It's challenging when you have really short legs and run. You have to move those legs twice as fast as someone with long legs. Just do your best. You're off the couch!
  • volamena
    volamena Posts: 30
    I'm 5'2 and despite my short legs I can run fast! I think you shouldn't try to run as fast as you husband, keep your own pace, if you do it regularly you'll improve your speed as you get used to running. it's your first 5k so what's important is to finish it!! then, if you keep running you can use it as a reference and see how much you improve your time.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    8 mins a mile. Still 8 mins a mile. I have one speed & that's fine by me. I run 10km in 52 mins. Basically that is my time now. Started out being able to do it in 55 mins.

    You started out at an 8 minute mile? Wow.

    Yeah, just started running one day last month, now this month I've already done 50km....10km a day.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I've been running for 15 years and the first ever mile I did on a treadmill took my 13 minutes and that took everything I had in me. I still average 13-minute miles over distance or for a recover run, and 11-minute miles is my speedy rate. I think I only ever did one mile under 10 minutes once!

    You're doing great, don't listen to the nay-sayers, you're going at you-speed, and you-speed is the best speed anyone can do. As is often quoted, you're still lapping the folk on the couch!

    Edit: I'm not short (5' 8") but my legs are and I at my heaviest I was running at 14 stone (196lb) and I weighed nearly that when I did a marathon.
  • manenina
    manenina Posts: 71
    I'm 5'3 and 157 pounds... I'm trying to lose another 17. I have never been able to run a straight mile in my entire life. In high school I would run/walk a mile in 16 minutes. Pathetic, I know. After adding the elliptical to my weight loss journey, I wanted to try running a mile on the treadmill to see if the elliptical had helped my endurance at all. My husband told me to go between 5 1/2 and 6 MPH because that's what he does. BIG mistake. He is quite a few inches taller than me and well.... a guy! I was practically tripping over myself trying to keep up with that pace and had to stop to walk every other minute. I did it in just under 13 minutes. I felt defeated and only ran that once, but continued with the elliptical.

    Today, after continuing the elliptical, and halfway through Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and with a 5K race fast approaching, I decided to run outside, at my own pace. I tracked a mile with my car so I knew exactly where I was going. I RAN THE ENTIRE THING WITHOUT STOPPING!!!! I teared up when I got to the end... BUT, when I looked at my stopwatch, it read 12:54.... I was hoping for closer to 12 but I'll take it. When I got home and told my husband my time he said "Well, that's not terrible"... Gee, thanks lol

    My question is, other short runners, when you started out, what was your time?! Did you get faster?? Or are you just able to run longer, but at the same pace? I just can't see my short legs being able to go at my husbands fast pace!!

    I'm a little bummed because I looked up jogging on MFP and the highest they go is a 12 minute mile... a 13 minute mile is considered a very, very brisk walk LOL But I was JOGGING! Not walking!!!

    The 5K I'm running with my husband in 3 1/2 weeks. Oh wait, the 5K I'm "very, very briskly walking" lol

    This sounds great! Guys are just... guys! I mean, I have one of those too... They just look at you like "sure, that's fine honey" and you just want to kill them right there! The same way as they just killed your motivation! 1 mile in 13 minutes it's actually quite good! I'm 5'3 as well and I started running way slower than right now! Sorry I don't have better statistics but last year I could not run a whole mile! I mean, when I ran my first 1K I was excited! Now I can actually run 10K!!!!!!!!! (yes, I'm really really proud) but I've been running on and off for like a year and a half (and I tried running some years before that) and my best mile is 10 minutes, but trust me when I tell you I have improved a lot!
  • LiveEnjoyEndure
    LiveEnjoyEndure Posts: 98 Member
    With great fear I am commenting as a 'guy' :-/

    When I first started running I had to keep stopping, all the time! Then I would run from one lampost to the next, willing myself on all the way. I wish I had know about C25K when I started out and I would recommend it. I have a friend who I supported through C25K and he is training for a marathon now.

    My running improved a lot when I started doing core exercises and when I made sure I warmed up and cooled down well after each run. For cool downs stretching is really important, esp long held static stretches of your calves, hamstrings, quads and shoulders.

    You'll get there ... don't compare yourself to others and remember improvements can take months to achieve.
  • madmickie
    madmickie Posts: 221 Member
    i dont think being short has a lot to do with your time. It's much more to do with being unfit and overweight.

    At the early stages of running you should concentrate on trying to extend your running time rather than speed. As this happens and you get fitter, and hopefully lighter, then the faster times will come too.
  • Dragonfly1996
    Dragonfly1996 Posts: 196 Member
    I am 5ft 3" too & I used to not even be able to run a mile a few years ago. I started properly in Oct 2009 & my pace was about 13-15 min mile jog / run. My average at the moment is also 12 but I have had a few months off running. My normal pace would be 11-12 min mile. I would love to get to 10 or less & do a 5k in under 30 mins. My slowest 5k was 37 min & fastest 31:30.

    I prefer running outside it is harder in many ways but it's better for me!!

    Don't worry about what others do & just do what you are happy with. Interval training can help with speed rather than just plodding along (I say that as I have to start intervals as I am a plodder!!)

    Best of luck & keep running :flowerforyou:
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    5'3" here, 170ish and aiming for 130ish. I started out running a 14 minute mile and am down to a 13 minute mile, 13.5 on long runs and can do 12.5 if I hustle - I actually did 4 miles at a 12:57 pace today and was very excited to break 12. I am going to tell you what's been said to me when I fret about my speed - the pace other people are going at doesn't matter; go at your own pace, one you can sustain. The more you run the faster you'll get. To be human is to compare but you have to try to focus on you :)


    I'd suggest looking into the Couch to 5K, that trained me how to run and I can't recommend it enough. One of the best things I ever ever did for myself.


    Edit: Oh, and don't take your husband to heart. Mine is like that too, we both ran the same 5K - he did it in 30:23 and I did it in 40:18. He was like, "You did great!" in that voice that meant "Wow you're slow!" but he's a foot taller and he's in a healthy weight range - my pace wasn't going to be his. I know I'll get better, and you will too :)
  • embercakez
    embercakez Posts: 141
    I'm 5'4 starting weight was 156 and I ran a 12 minute mile.
    I now weight 134 and run a 9:10 minute mile.

    I personally don't have a goal for a time on a mile...as long as I can run a mile or 3 I am happy.
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    I'm 5'0...starting weight was 208 (currently 146). I started walking/jogging a mile at about 18-20 minutes. I would set the treadmill at 3.5mph and go. Then a few months ago, my husband decided we should do a few races. We ran a 3k and a 5k before we both got sick . I believe my fastest time was around a 12 minute mile. I can run 6mph but I can't keep it up for that distance. The fastest I can go for a 5k without slowing down is around 5.5mph. Any faster and I have to slow down for a few then start back up.

    I think that's just as fast as my legs go...he doesn't understand that either
  • KLo924
    KLo924 Posts: 379 Member
    5'4.5"-ish here. When I'm doing long runs my pace is somewhere between 13.5 and 14min./mi. I can do a mile or two in just under 12 min/mi., but need to switch to jogging/walking intervals on longer hauls (I'm training for a marathon in Nov.).

    Don't go by anyone else's pace if you're uncomfortable with it - it'll lead to injury, physical or emotional. Forward is a pace, and that pace will likely improve with weight loss and training, but there shouldn't be any pressure - enjoy your runs and getting healthy :)
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    5'3" here, 170ish and aiming for 130ish. I started out running a 14 minute mile and am down to a 13 minute mile, 13.5 on long runs and can do 12.5 if I hustle - I actually did 4 miles at a 12:57 pace today and was very excited to break 12. I am going to tell you what's been said to me when I fret about my speed - the pace other people are going at doesn't matter; go at your own pace, one you can sustain. The more you run the faster you'll get. To be human is to compare but you have to try to focus on you :)


    I'd suggest looking into the Couch to 5K, that trained me how to run and I can't recommend it enough. One of the best things I ever ever did for myself.


    Edit: Oh, and don't take your husband to heart. Mine is like that too, we both ran the same 5K - he did it in 30:23 and I did it in 40:18. He was like, "You did great!" in that voice that meant "Wow you're slow!" but he's a foot taller and he's in a healthy weight range - my pace wasn't going to be his. I know I'll get better, and you will too :)
    I'm faster than your DH LOL. My DH is the same way. They're just competitive and don't want to be outdone by their wives? When I ran my first 5k, my DH told me he would be more impressed if I ran a 10k :noway: Now I'm on my fourth half marathon and he still sleeps through my races :huh:

    Don't compare yourself to others. Just keep going and have a good time :drinker:
  • juliaamilee
    juliaamilee Posts: 262 Member
    I am 5'1 I did my first 5K saturday I did it in 40:05. I was running about two years ago and was running it in 36min. I did stop because of exercise induced asthma. I belive that once you build up endurance your speed will come as well. I ran with alot of much taller people and their stride was much more than mine, they were able to cover more ground but I did pass a few up, I kept my pace and when they were tired I passed them. Dont worry about what anyone else is doing or the time. Just go and do it and have fun. I got third in my age divison, and got a medal. I was like WHAT??? LOL the first one came in at 29 the second one in at 30 me at 40 and the walker of the group at 45. I did walk/run because I have not built up that endurance.
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    5'3" here, 170ish and aiming for 130ish. I started out running a 14 minute mile and am down to a 13 minute mile, 13.5 on long runs and can do 12.5 if I hustle - I actually did 4 miles at a 12:57 pace today and was very excited to break 12. I am going to tell you what's been said to me when I fret about my speed - the pace other people are going at doesn't matter; go at your own pace, one you can sustain. The more you run the faster you'll get. To be human is to compare but you have to try to focus on you :)


    I'd suggest looking into the Couch to 5K, that trained me how to run and I can't recommend it enough. One of the best things I ever ever did for myself.


    Edit: Oh, and don't take your husband to heart. Mine is like that too, we both ran the same 5K - he did it in 30:23 and I did it in 40:18. He was like, "You did great!" in that voice that meant "Wow you're slow!" but he's a foot taller and he's in a healthy weight range - my pace wasn't going to be his. I know I'll get better, and you will too :)
    I'm faster than your DH LOL. My DH is the same way. They're just competitive and don't want to be outdone by their wives? When I ran my first 5k, my DH told me he would be more impressed if I ran a 10k :noway: Now I'm on my fourth half marathon and he still sleeps through my races :huh:

    Don't compare yourself to others. Just keep going and have a good time :drinker:


    Please don't tell him that! LOL. He was so mad at himself for not breaking 30 that day, lol. I swear he's only running right now because he can "beat" me at it - if I ever get faster I bet he quits, lol :)
  • thomassd1969
    thomassd1969 Posts: 564 Member
    I am 5ft 3. Starting weight at 189, Current at 156 (stuck there) I started running in April of this year doing the couch to 5K program. I got bored with it and just started on my own. I ran my first mile around 13 minutes. I usuall run outdoors. I just dont care for the treadmill. I have my first 5K in November. The longest I have ran is 2 miles without stopping. I am running about a 11-12 minute mile now. I am more focused on distance than time. Feel free to add me.
  • CincinnatiDEIFan
    CincinnatiDEIFan Posts: 188 Member
    I am 5'2 and now weight 157.

    I have been walking 1.6 miles for about a month and a half now. It is also all done on the beach. So some days are easier and others are dreadful *depends on the tide!!!*. On days when the tide is out and the sand is firm, like today, I can jog/walk it in about 30 minutes now.

    I am still dreadfully slow, but it is getting BETTER. I found today I can jog more of it by far than I could even a month ago. I am not in it to compete with anyone but myself. I don't care if my husband could do laps around me (for the record he couldn't as he is just starting this journey himself).

    I have found that if I walk at the same time every morning, the same folks are out. They have became a support system. Just today one man saw me get back in under 30 minutes and thought I "cheated" and told me to go back out there! LOL. I told him I saw the rain clouds and ran more than usual and I had not cheated. They are a great motivator!!!!

    Good luck to you and KEEP at it. I never would have thought I could jog almost the entire thing when I was falling over exhausted not long ago from just walking it!!!!!
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I am 4'11" and even after 2 years of running, I am at about 12-13 minutes a mile. You know......I am not a religious person but I will compare running to praying. There is no right way to do it because it is deeply personal. Just go out there, go slow and enjoy yourself. At my last 5K I was number 213 out of 220.....I still finished :)
  • ObtainingBalance
    ObtainingBalance Posts: 1,446 Member
    Right now I can run a 11 minute mile, I could do a 10 minute mile on the treadmill but I get more out of breath easy.. I usually go at 4-5mph . I do this on the treadmill, sometimes with a small amount of incline.. but it seems different running outside. I would be outside more but its freezing here.

    I'm 5'3 and 150 lbs also. My legs are short and chubby, I know a bunch of tall people who can outrun me with ease.

    Like Yanicka said, NO right or wrong way. Do how much you can take, work on running faster if you want... but for now just enjoy those 13-14 minute miles. You aren't racing, and it's doing your body good no matter how long it takes to go a mile.

    Oh, and people can run at any weight, it's more about endurance.
    Though, I will say I can run faster when I'm lighter.
  • tabbydog
    tabbydog Posts: 4,925 Member
    Don't worry about your speed for now, just work on your endurance. After you have been running for a while you can work on getting faster. Trying to build endurance and speed together is a recipe for injury. Everyone has their natural rythm that feels right to them. It can be improved with work later! Just relax and enjoy your progress as it comes! :wink:
  • 40Marbles
    40Marbles Posts: 188 Member
    C25K or any of the other running apps out there (runkeeper, rundouble etc) really help.

    I started running last fall, and finished C25K poking along at about 14-15 minute miles.

    Moving on to this year - I ran my first official 5k last month: 34:40.

    This morning: 5k in 34:04

    You can do it!!
  • juliebeannn
    juliebeannn Posts: 428 Member
    at 5'3" and 165lbs, i ran a 14 min mile. a year later, at 150lbs, i ran 12-13 min mile. now, at 140lbs and WAY stronger due to lifting heavy stuff, i think i'm down to around 10:30-11min mile.

    i don't think i'll ever be a fast runner. i'm not a good runner, in general. as soon as i start running, my feet/knees/hips start to hurt cuz i have tendonitis in almost all my major joints. i don't run more than 3 miles at a time b/c of it.

    i can't run a 8min mile, but i CAN deadlift and squat my body weight, so i'm pretty darn proud of that. do i beat myself up b/c i can't run a 8in mile? heck no! my body does what it can. i measure progress in what my body CAN do, not what it can't.
  • eclare87
    eclare87 Posts: 97 Member
    I'm just under 5'2. When I was around 150 pounds I couldn't even run a mile! I would run/walk. And eventually I built up from there. :)

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