How fast do YOU run?

I grew up playing a variety of sports, through the end of high school. I wasn't terribly active in college, aside from walking a lot and a workout here and there. I started getting more into working out a few years after college, and I am probably fitter now than I have been in years (I have to say, at age 10, I could run for what seemed like forever... but I ended up putting on some weight in my awkward pre-teen/teen years haha).

So I didn't end up doing my first 5k until a couple of years after I graduated college. I ended up with about a 9.5 minute mile pace. Now my best 5k is a 7 min 24 sec mile, but I'd LOVE to break a 7 minute mile someday. Longer runs (the longest I've done is a 10k) tend to be 8-8.5 minute miles.

ETA as far as how to build it up... I generally do a lot of HIIT training (right now I'm doing Tapout XT which has that at least to some extent) and play sports (hockey). That gets me generally in good enough shape to "wing" a 5k around an 8.5-9 minute mile. I was running a lot more frequently when I set my 5k PR - I find that I perform better and can pace myself better when running more consistently. Aside from doing "regular" runs (with a steady pace), I also like to do some intervals while running (alternating between jogging and faster running.. on a track you could do a light jog for a lap and a faster run for 1/2 lap or something). I also always finish my runs with a sprint, which I think helps me finish strong when I am doing a race. Lastly, training on hills would certainly help... then running on flat ground seems a lot easier!

Doesn't matter what anybody else runs, and as others have said, pace varies depending on what your doing. Race pace and recovery pace are two totally different things. My recovery pace is about 6 minutes per mile slower than my mile race pace.

Just go out there and run, build slowly, be consistent, and you'll see you pace improve.

Faster than yesterday, and not as fast as tomorrow.

Best answer.

It's a cute answer, but unfortunately not true in running. Improvement is not linear.

Silly point is cute and silly....we all know that. Am i faster than i was when I first started? Yes.
Am i as fast as I will be? No way, so yes tomorrow I will be faster...just a matter of which tomorrow.

It depends on what is chasing me (:bigsmile: )

Between 4-5 mph but I'm short - 5'2".

I've been running for several years. My best 5k pace was 8:01 - my best half marathon pace was 8:33. My marathon pace was just over 11 minutes (bonkity bonk bonk) For regular runs during the week I'm generally in the 9 to 9:30 range.

I'm just starting out, so at the moment I run about a 16:30 minute mile. My goal is to one day make it to a 12 or even 10 minute mile, but I know that's farther down the road. I'm focusing more on endurance than speed.

But what are your run times? I'm curious as to the different speeds people are at and why/how they got there.

I run/walk right now. I'm doing the couch to 5k training program...or at least I'm trying, LOL. I like it because I don't consider myself a runner at all and it has helped me in the past. I'm doing about a 14 min/mile or so right now, but like you, I'm working more towards endurance. Check out the program, you may like it. You can take as little or as much time as you like on it (trust me, I've started and stopped so many times!) You can google it...couchto5k.

I'm just starting out, so at the moment I run about a 16:30 minute mile. My goal is to one day make it to a 12 or even 10 minute mile, but I know that's farther down the road. I'm focusing more on endurance than speed.

But what are your run times? I'm curious as to the different speeds people are at and why/how they got there.

I won't tell you my pace b'coz it will not be fair for you to compare with someone who has been running for years. You will get to 12 or 10 mile pace but it will take time depending upon how committed you are to reaching that goal with a sensible plan.

The more you run with a good plan the better you get at running.

Good Luck.

^This. Do you!

It's all relative to the type of run you are doing and, of course, the distance.
Running 1 mile vs running 26.2 miles = different paces.
Training run vs race = different paces.

Just do your thing, and you will get faster.

And, honestly, I wouldn't compare myself to what people are saying on this thread... The girl saying she is averaging a 5:30 mile is obviously omitting some details.. Or she is on the Olympic team... :noway:

Seem to be a couple closet-elites here on haha

I know, right?

Between 4-5 mph but I'm short - 5'2".

Height is irrelevant. Meb is 5'4.

But I'm 5'8" and can't run a 400 @ meb's marathon pace. BOOM

I average a 5-6 minute mile!

One time I ran a 5:35 mile. I nearly collapsed after. I was coughing up a storm for 12 hours after.

I wish I could average 5-6 min miles

I average a 5-6 minute mile!

One time I ran a 5:35 mile. I nearly collapsed after. I was coughing up a storm for 12 hours after.

I wish I could average 5-6 min miles

Hell, I wish I could run ONE 5-6 minute mile....

I run between a 9:50- 10:50 min mile. Been running for about 2 years actively. I am sure if I pushed myself more I could make my time faster, but I am okay with not being a gazelle. A mile is mile whether its run in 16 mins or in 5!

I average a 5-6 minute mile!

One time I ran a 5:35 mile. I nearly collapsed after. I was coughing up a storm for 12 hours after.

I wish I could average 5-6 min miles

Hell, I wish I could run ONE 5-6 minute mile....

Sigh, Captain America, you can come keep me company ANY night of the week......

And I have to call <cough cough bull**** cough cough> on the girl running 5:30 mile AVERAGES. As in this is her everyday training pace......umm no. Straight up no.

Ignore that OP. That is crazier than Tom Cruise on a couch.

I have only ran a whole mile without stopping once in my lifetime. That was a 12:15 pace. I have since started c25k and hopefully can beat that record later down the road.