Confession: I'm a slow runner

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Replies

  • sklarbodds
    sklarbodds Posts: 608 Member
    Excellent read :)

    I am a bit faster (though nowhere near competition level) but the most common response I get to asking people to go run with me is, "I'm not as fast as you".

    I try to tell them I don't care, it's just fun to have someone to run with and they can set whatever pace they want (a 5 mile run is still a good workout at a slower speed).

    Bottom line, As long as you get out and run, it doesn't matter the pace! :)

    Good work OP :)
  • tallieterp
    tallieterp Posts: 257 Member
    I'm slower than a tortoise running through molasses wearing peanut butter shoes.
    But, I run because I can and for the way it makes me feel after a good run.
    I don't pay any attention to speed, I just listen to my body and go as fast as I feel.

    as you can see I share this belief as it is my profile pic! haha... I am thrilled when I get under a 12 min mile... I know i'll never be a speed demon but slow and steady and knowing that I've done the best I can do is what matters... just gotta keep repeating that mantra...
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    I would hardly consider a 10:30 mile pace slow. I'd love to be able to do that myself!

    Ditto!!
  • Mich4871
    Mich4871 Posts: 143 Member
    I did a 5 miler this morning, averaged 11.5... slow, fast, medicore... who cares??? It felt great!
  • caseys29
    caseys29 Posts: 63 Member
    That is not slow! That's a great pace! When I started running I was a 15-17 min/miler! Now I average 10:00-11:00 and I feel that is a great pace (for me!)

    Don't worry about what others are running!

    Thank you for posting this! I've just started running in the last couple of months and average about 17 minutes a mile. Last night I did my first 15 minute mile and was ecstatic, even though it's still super slow. It's disheartening to see people calling themselves slow at times I can only dream about. I have my first 5K next month and my goal is around 50 minutes, which is horribly slow, but I only have room for improvement, I guess. I don't feel like I'll ever get to a 10 minute mile, but obviously carrying a hundred extra pounds has to be slowing me down a bit. :wink:
  • monstergirl14
    monstergirl14 Posts: 345 Member
    Oh gawd, if that's slow, I'm screwed. I love running 5 mph.. 12 minute miles.. haha.. oh dear. If I go 6+, I'm out of breath quite fast.
  • gmthisfeller
    gmthisfeller Posts: 779 Member
    I am a runner, and a happy one; but I am not competitive about it. I run, not because I want to be better than others, but because I want be better than myself. It doesn't matter how fast I run or how far I run. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. I just run; typically, about 5 miles a day.
  • barefootbridgey
    barefootbridgey Posts: 81 Member
    I'm with everybody else - I'd hardly consider that slow. I have friends who are new runners who run 14 minute miles. I remember being pumped when I started running 12 minute miles regularly. Longer (4-13 miles) I tend to hover around 11 minute miles and I'm pretty proud of that, 5k pace is more like high8s/9min miles, depending in who I run with. Pace is pace...it's no big deal. Just run. And love it

    Or hate it. Because let's face it, the first few miles are just awful. ;)
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    I'm a slow runner too. About the pace of the OP. For awhile I tried to make myself go faster, did some HIIT, timed myself every run, etc. it killed the joy of running for me. In fact, I almost quit! I had started reading about how running was only good if you did HIIT, and not to go very much beyond 20 minutes, etc. I even had to start running my route backwards so that I wasn't checking my watch every quarter mile or so. I actually stopped running for about six weeks and really had to get my head straight. When I started back I realized that I enjoyed a slow, easy pace for as long as my schedule would allow (usually not as long as I would like!). I've been going strong ever since, and I never figure my time anymore. I've never done a race, either. Not even a 5k. Maybe I will someday, but that is not what it is about for me. For me it is like meditation. My mind runs free while my body runs! I solve problems, come up with creative projects (I am in a creative field), and daydream. And I love it.

    Thanks OP and others for validating my feelings. I am not alone!
  • greytniki
    greytniki Posts: 51 Member
    LOL...isn't perspective a wonderful and contradictful thing? I'm a runner. I love running. I never thought I would. I've had a lot of physical obstacles in my way including a car accident resultng in a closed head injury and a MC accident that left my right foot shattered and back surgery in December 2013. But I run. My pace currently with one week of "surgeon authorized" running behind me is between a 14 and 15 minute mile.
  • cookiekrunch
    cookiekrunch Posts: 65 Member
    I am jogging at 14/15 mins depending on if I have distractions. 10 mins seems super fast to me right now!!!
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    It's all about who you run with. I'd be trying to pace with you, but probably not able to keep up!
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    I did not intend to make anyone feel disheartened with my post. So I apologize if I did. My point was that running should be more about enjoying the sport and doing something for yourself. I too had to shut off the time and pace function on my runkeeper since I was driving myself crazy with it. Now I just have it let me know my distance every half a mile so I know when to turn around with my out and back runs.
  • waskier
    waskier Posts: 254 Member
    Almost everyone gets self-conscious about their pace. I have a friend that recently admitted to being embarrassed by his 1:44 half marathon PR. I only hope to make that some day!

    I recently volunteered for the first time at a local half marathon. It was one of the best things I have ever done. I made sure to stay to the very last runner. Couldn't have been more proud of her. We were set up at mile 8.1. No telling someone you are almost there with 5 miles left, right? She came through red faced and working hard. And she got the biggest cheer of the day.

    Take a morning. Volunteer at a local race. You'll meet some really neat people and get to see a wide range of runners. And I'll bet you come away feeling good about yourself and with a better understanding that your best is your best. No one else's matters. So just get out, run and have fun because the reality is that none of us are going to win the Boston Marathon, right. ;-)
  • streamgirl
    streamgirl Posts: 207 Member
    Thanks for the post! I've always felt like I'm slow, so it's nice to know that there are lots of us! In fact, I did an Olympic Tri and felt self-conscious about my slowness, so I decided to poke fun at it and made a shirt that said "<--Pass on the left and save me a beer." (By the way, I stole this from someone I saw at another race!) Lots of people passed me, but several of them said they liked my shirt, and that was fun.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Does not matter slow or fast as long as you are doing it. Awesome.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Thanks for the post! I've always felt like I'm slow, so it's nice to know that there are lots of us! In fact, I did an Olympic Tri and felt self-conscious about my slowness, so I decided to poke fun at it and made a shirt that said "<--Pass on the left and save me a beer." (By the way, I stole this from someone I saw at another race!) Lots of people passed me, but several of them said they liked my shirt, and that was fun.

    Love it!
  • ZombieMomTreks
    ZombieMomTreks Posts: 10 Member
    I'm also hovering around the 15 minute time and have been since even before knee surgery.

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