Running question

koaliebear195
koaliebear195 Posts: 31 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, what is a good time for a 5k? I'm currently 178 lbs, female, 5'3 and run 5k in 41 minutes (shaved off 5 minutes from my very first 5k). By next summer, I'm planning on doing some races (and a triathlon!). I'm making a big list of fitness goals(running, swimming, biking, lifting) so I'm at the running section, and I'm wondering what would be realistic for an ultimate goal. I absolutely love running, so putting the work in is not an issue for me. I'm also incredible competitive, so I want to be able to go fast. I'm just not sure what my goals/milestones should be?

Replies

  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    A good time is faster than your previous race times.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    my goal is to one day do a 5k in under 24 minutes. i came close once, at the run leg of my third sprint triathlon (25 minutes).

    but yes, a little faster each time is what you should strive for. but be mindful that you can't compare races... even the same race one year to the next. while the distance might be the same, the road and conditions can be different.

    i do set a goal for each race i do. and i set mini goals as well. my last two triathlons i set a goal to swim freestyle the whole distance (not doing a single stroke of breast). this was for me to get comfortable with sighting.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    If you want to get fast, drop the excess weight and don't concern yourself with speed for right now. Make incremental progress toward a solid-ran 5K (I'm assuming 41min is a run/walk). Dropping the weight and training smartly will help you achieve your goal without injuries holding back steady progress.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running
  • koaliebear195
    koaliebear195 Posts: 31 Member
    If you want to get fast, drop the excess weight and don't concern yourself with speed for right now. Make incremental progress toward a solid-ran 5K (I'm assuming 41min is a run/walk). Dropping the weight and training smartly will help you achieve your goal without injuries holding back steady progress.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running

    Haha no 41 minutes is a very slow run/jog. No walking. But yes, I'm working very hard to drop the weigh! It all goes hand in hand for me.
  • Megabot
    Megabot Posts: 173 Member
    A good time is faster than your previous race times.

    ^^ This. there's a thing called a personal best (PB) and runners are always looking to beat their PB.
    keep running, keep losing weight, you'll definitely keep slashing time off your 5k. keep doing that until you can't lose more weight/can't keep beating your best times ....then ask this again. :)
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    A good time is faster than your previous race times.

    ^^ This. there's a thing called a personal best (PB) and runners are always looking to beat their PB.
    keep running, keep losing weight, you'll definitely keep slashing time off your 5k. keep doing that until you can't lose more weight/can't keep beating your best times ....then ask this again. :)

    ^^ That, x2. You'll go nuts if you try to rack and stack yourself against others this early on. I'm competitive as well and you need a healthy balance between competing against yourself and others, and know that each time you run isn't going to be faster than the last.
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    Concentrate on enjoying it more than anything! It was a massive motivator for me to lose weight after reading a book called Racing Weight.

    I went from someone that never run very hard and with debilitating health anxiety to a demon in 14 months.

    35 mins to 21.40.

    I'm 43, and needed to run like that to get over some hellish heartbreak and anger.

    I've gained 4lb since the fast time I recorded last autumn, so I don't think I'll see that again. I'm concentrating on form, and driving from my glutes, and improving posture. I only run 2/3 times a week to minimise the wear and tear. I love the high it gives me. I also love running faster than others, as I'm quite competitive, but each to his own.

    It's a wonderful way to have a good reason to diet along with the other reasons.

    I hope you get as much joy out of it as I have!
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    I won my age group this morning on what was a slightly off day ... but my times are nowhere near those of the elites or even those of the HS and college cross country team members. I'm more upset about not PR'ing than I'm pleased with beating the other people in my age range.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    A good time is faster than your previous race times.

    ^^ This. there's a thing called a personal best (PB) and runners are always looking to beat their PB.
    keep running, keep losing weight, you'll definitely keep slashing time off your 5k. keep doing that until you can't lose more weight/can't keep beating your best times ....then ask this again. :)

    ^^ That, x2. You'll go nuts if you try to rack and stack yourself against others this early on. I'm competitive as well and you need a healthy balance between competing against yourself and others, and know that each time you run isn't going to be faster than the last.

    Agreed.

    I started out as an overweight runner. At first I just wanted to finish without walking. Then I started to compete against my own times. Then my goal was to get under 30 minutes. Once I hit that, under 25 was my goal (there is a specific reason for the large jump). As the weight came off, my times went down.
    I do a lot of the local running races so there are always people around my pace and a friendly competition emerged there. I don't expect to beat the fastest runners, now I try to get to the person who is usually just ahead of me.
    I guess I will be repeating this process shortly.

Categories