What was your best 5k time?

kylamaries
kylamaries Posts: 291
in Motivation and Support
(I checked the forums but didn't see anything so I apologize if there's another similar post going around.)

I posted last night asking for tips because I was running my first 5k today -- the tips helped SO MUCH. I felt like I knew exactly what I was doing and I ended up finishing fifth (which I wasn't expecting in the slightest).

The winner clocked in at 18 minutes, a couple clocked in at about 32/33, a lady clocked in at 34, and I clocked in at 35. However, upon doing some research when I got home, a beginner female is said to have an average 5k time of about 25 minutes. The four people in front of me were young, athletic, and obviously more experienced than I was yet had times ranging between 30-35 minutes.

So I must ask, what was your best 5k time (whether in a race, training, etc.)? Brag away!
«1345

Replies

  • Islandgirl52
    Islandgirl52 Posts: 73 Member
    I did my first last weekend, and my time was 31:45. It was warm out, which could have slowed me down a bit. 53 year old female.
  • morgansmama
    morgansmama Posts: 23 Member
    I think you did great!! 5th place is something to be super proud about...even starting a 5k is more than a lot of people do!

    My personal best 5k without obstacles was 29 minutes. I ran the Warrior Dash (5k with 12 obstacles) in 40 minutes.

    Congrats again on your first 5k!!! :)
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    First off....let me give you this advice about your first 5K: Your races should be about competing with yourself. It should be about setting your personal best, and not giving a rats ash about where everyone else finishes.

    That being said, my first 5K I had a time in the 35 minute bracket, my second 5K (which was about a month later) had a time of 33 minutes.
  • sam308lbs
    sam308lbs Posts: 1,936 Member
    (I checked the forums but didn't see anything so I apologize if there's another similar post going around.)

    We dont here this very often.Carry on
  • RudHart64
    RudHart64 Posts: 53 Member
    3 miles 5.5km under 21 minutes...yesterday's results in my Av.
    Good work on your time... the more you work at it the quicker you become....
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    I did my first five km in thirty - five minutes, and I'm embarrassed to tell you my other times because I haven't made much progress. I just love the experience, and don't really focus on time.
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    I did my first last weekend, and my time was 31:45. It was warm out, which could have slowed me down a bit. 53 year old female.

    Wow, this is wonderful, congratulations!
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    First off....let me give you this advice about your first 5K: Your races should be about competing with yourself. It should be about setting your personal best, and not giving a rats ash about where everyone else finishes.

    That being said, my first 5K I had a time in the 35 minute bracket, my second 5K (which was about a month later) had a time of 33 minutes.

    This is true! I loved the experience and the other runners were so very kind :-) I'm super-proud of how I finished, especially since my original goal was simply to run the entire thing, (which I did except for a few brief walking intervals).

    That's not a bad time though! Keep up the hard work! :-)
  • jojospero
    jojospero Posts: 92 Member
    Congrats to you! :) I've only done a few so far... I clocked in at 29:34.
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    I think saying a beginner can run a 25 min 5k is a bit optimistic. I think beginner female runners probably average 6mp (a 10 min mile pace).

    I'm not a beginner, though I never really "race trained" for a 5k. Looking at Athlinks.com it shows my best time is around 24 mins.
  • AmyEm3
    AmyEm3 Posts: 784 Member
    My first was 31:09.

    I saw the biggest improvement in my time after I using P90X. I lived in the middle of nowhere with no access to a gym and little home equipment and I wanted to add some strength training. I didn't follow the diet but I followed the exercise schedule, minus the yoga.

    After I did a 1.5 cycles of P90X (about 4.5-5months) I ran an official 25:24 on hot and humid day on a course with more hills than I was normally used to. Unofficially on my usual flat course, I was able to run about 23:30-24 in a cooler environment.

    That was last year though. I slacked off a lot at the end of last summer and now I am around ~27 minutes. Haven't run an official race lately. I need to lose about 20 pounds that I have gained since moving.

    I'm 35 and have had asthma since I was about 5. I was pleased with where I was early last summer.
  • chels0722
    chels0722 Posts: 465 Member
    Sounds like you are doing fantastic!

    I just hit PR two weekends ago at 24:23.

    I think the average time for a 5k is about 30min.
  • FiftyandGettingBetter
    FiftyandGettingBetter Posts: 611 Member
    I've only run 4 and my best is 36:43. That was 5 years ago, and haven't run, really, since then. I'm wanting to get a sub 30 minute 5k before the end of the year.
  • sidewinder76
    sidewinder76 Posts: 287
    Did my first 5k 2 years ago...ran it in 39:56...quit smoking and started to actually run more regularly. Happy to say last one I did 3 weeks ago, I came in at 27:08. Not bad for a 37 year old ex smoker :) gunning for 24:00 and currently training for my first half marathon
  • countrygirl7mels
    countrygirl7mels Posts: 36
    My fastest was 26 mins 50 seconds. My fiance who had not been training or working out much came in at 31 mins, and I was impressed since I run at least 3 miles several days a week, and he doesn't! It would be nice to "win" a race someday, but next time I run I just want to beat my best time.

    25 minutes is fast for an "average" beginner. I have been running for a couple years, and I run a 5k as my "daily" run, so I am in pretty good shape, and I am not that fast. 25 minutes is a good goal, but I would not expect a "beginner" to run that. The first 5k I did took me 30 mins, and that was a year ago. Now I am faster.

    I like running because I pretty much just compete against myself and work toward self improvement. I am going to try a 10k next month!
  • MGreensides
    MGreensides Posts: 173 Member
    I'm interested in hearing the tips you were given to help with your 5k...maybe you could post a link to the thread?? I'm running my first 5k in 16 days (but who's counting) and could REALLY use some/any tips, as I'm as new to running as one could possibly be lol.
    And BTW...huge congrats on the race and finishing so well.
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    I'm interested in hearing the tips you were given to help with your 5k...maybe you could post a link to the thread?? I'm running my first 5k in 16 days (but who's counting) and could REALLY use some/any tips, as I'm as new to running as one could possibly be lol.
    And BTW...huge congrats on the race and finishing so well.

    Of course! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/985838-running-my-first-5k-tomorrow Thank you and good luck! :-)
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    43 years old and male

    My best 5K time was 28:15, I generally run 5Ks arond 29:30
  • lucylou1977
    lucylou1977 Posts: 25 Member
    Congratulations on your first 5k! Sounds like you enjoyed the experience.

    My time on my first one was about 35 minutes. My second (a year later) was just under 27 minutes. I shocked myself with that time - don't think I've ever managed to run it that fast since!

    I've just started running again after a long break (I stopped running when pregnant with my daughter - she's 2 now). 5k is my regular, twice-a-week run and I'm running it in around 30 minutes. I don't think I'm the fastest runner out there - I ran in a group a while back and I was one of the stragglers!
  • Pfgirl2006
    Pfgirl2006 Posts: 9
    I'm a huge anomaly. My first 5K was a freak 5k... that took me around 50 minutes to an hour lol my usually time is around 40 minutes so don't feel bad at all! I am a special case though in that I ran my 5ks after have had 3 knees surgeries so I didn't expect to be fast I just wanted to do it and the Dr said it's ok if I go slow and no more then 3-4 miles
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    I'm a huge anomaly. My first 5K was a freak 5k... that took me around 50 minutes to an hour lol my usually time is around 40 minutes so don't feel bad at all! I am a special case though in that I ran my 5ks after have had 3 knees surgeries so I didn't expect to be fast I just wanted to do it and the Dr said it's ok if I go slow and no more then 3-4 miles

    Wow, good for you! The guy who won our race today had a knee problem and limped/ran the entire route. My heart's with you but you seem determined enough to keep pushing through. Don't beat yourself up about that first 5k though! :-)
  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    I'm not a runner, I power walk five miles a day, 10 on Sundays. At my normal pace, a 5K would take me just over 37 minutes.
  • Galathea96
    Galathea96 Posts: 200 Member
    I was told to start running as part of my physiotherapy after tearing my left ACL last December. Never was a runner before that. Since I ran 8.5k in 50 mins last Sunday, I'd say my time at 5k was probably around 30 mins.

    I'd like to go faster but when I do I get quite a bit of knee pain due to my uneven gait caused by the darn missing ACL :cry:
  • healthfulnow
    healthfulnow Posts: 245 Member
    I did my first 5K on April 28th. I clocked in at 27:38 and won my division. I will be 56 years old in a few months. I just started a running program in early January of this year. Keep at it! It was a fun experience for me to have my family and grandkids cheering me on. I am planning on running another 5k in early June.
  • fattymcrunnerpants
    fattymcrunnerpants Posts: 311 Member
    My first 5k I "ran" in 40 mins. My personal best was 34:15 and I won second for my division. That was about a year ago. I'm hoping to get sub 30 in the next year.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    Haven't done a 5k run in a race yet (did a 5k mud run, but cannot really compare :tongue: ), but in my timed runs I run about 28:00 minutes.

    You can compare your time to other runners in different age/sex classes here: http://www.pace-calculator.com/5k-pace-comparison.php?pace=676
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Only just started running outside, so my best 5k would be on the treadmill, with a few hills programmed in, and I think after a few weeks of running, I got a best of just over 24 minutes.

    For me, that is good because I have emphysema, and my lung function is 68% as opposed to the usual 84% for my age group. (38).
  • jme6976
    jme6976 Posts: 49 Member
    Have only done one and was minimal training directed at timing more towards endurance. Finished in 31:53. 36 year old female.
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    I'd love to break 30 minutes but may never get there. Last weekend in a 37-degree drizzle, I did 35:28. I was 674th out of over 1100 women, which I thought was respectable at age 60, but there were a couple of 66-year olds who beat me!
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    While it wasn't a race so much as it was just me out doing my thing, 32 minutes.

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