5k times?

I ran my first 5K about 3 years ago. My goal was just to run the full distance! I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack at about 36 minutes. The only ones I have ever seen do a sub-20 minute 5K are the teen boys who are trying to impress the teen girls :-). I tend to stick to community, holiday, or charity 5K runs ~ I'm sure that in a more competitive circle the times are faster! Last summer I finally broke the 30 minute mark. (Ok, it was almost all downhill, but it was still a 5K, so I'm counting it.) I think a good goal is to get your distance down first. Running just over 3 miles non-stop is a huge accomplishment! Then set time goals from there. For me, it's not a race against everyone else, it's all about being better than what you have been.
Good luck!

I would say a "good time" is one where trained well enough that you were able to run the whole and celebrate your finish with family and friends. Then your next race after that you have a time to beat. Seams a bit simplistic but therein lies the beauty of it.

Running is very individualized. Run your first 5k - so the next time you run one, a 'good time' will be to beat your previous time and so on….. I've run several, starting at 49 minutes and getting down to 30 minutes. A lot of people would say 30 minutes isn't 'good'… but I think it is GREAT as it is a personal improvement. Compare your performance to your previous ability - not to someone else's ability!

typically 12 mins per mile, about 37 minutes

(I'm between 35 and 40 depending on the day)

34 minutes

I cycle and swim a ton...so I thought - how hard can running be? After all I was in very good shape already. So I entered a 5k without ever having run one, or run at all.

My first 5k was horrible - not because of my time of 44 minutes - but because I hurt for 3 days after - going up and down stairs was the worst haha. A few weeks after my first 5k, with regular runs to get in shape, my time is now down to 36 minutes - or a bit over 5 mph. Speed is coming with the improved stride.

Bottom line
Just enter - finish - and have a good time!
It feels good to finish, even if you have to walk.
You still did more than those sitting on their couch!

A lot of your time depends on your training, Your one mile time and your weight. You can go from 48 min 16/min mile and faster..... but finishing is the most important part and good consistent training.

BrentGetsFit wrote: »

A good beginning 5k time is any one in which you finish. My first was just over 33 minutes. My next was just over 31. My next was 36 but I was running with a first timer. I suggest Couch to 5k. It's great for getting started.

I agree with Brent. I actually work for a sports timing company that provides times to participants. A really fast 5k is about 15 minutes. That is typically about the time our winner comes in. The majority of people finish between 25 and 45 minutes. The walkers start coming in around 50 minutes or so.
I don't run super often but my fastest 5k ever was 27:19. I usually feel good if I come in at 30 or less, but I don't remember what my first time ever was.
For your first one, just focus on getting it done and making it across the finish line. The biggest key is to just stay at a consistent, comfortable pace. Don't push yourself so hard at the beginning that you run out of steam. You've got this!

jlcrph wrote: »

Running is very individualized. Run your first 5k - so the next time you run one, a 'good time' will be to beat your previous time and so on….. I've run several, starting at 49 minutes and getting down to 30 minutes. A lot of people would say 30 minutes isn't 'good'… but I think it is GREAT as it is a personal improvement. Compare your performance to your previous ability - not to someone else's ability!

This