Is this good 5k progress?
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wanderingaowie
Posts: 13 Member
Hello!
This is my first MyFitnessPal post but I'm super proud at the mo so felt compelled. Went to the gym after work today and surpassed my 5k record. 29mins 58 seconds, broke the 30 min barrier! (Just!)
I started jogging/running about a month ago with my starting time being 34.25, (altho I did a park run in July and that took nearly 40mins). I've been cutting the time down steadily since then. At the mo I can't run continuously for the whole 5k but have been increasing speed to an average of 11kmh for the running bit, with 7kmh walking breaks in between. My question is, is this good progress? I'm a 29yo female, 5"9, 158lbs with an on-again-off-again relationship with exercise... Usually off if I'm honest.
This is my first MyFitnessPal post but I'm super proud at the mo so felt compelled. Went to the gym after work today and surpassed my 5k record. 29mins 58 seconds, broke the 30 min barrier! (Just!)
I started jogging/running about a month ago with my starting time being 34.25, (altho I did a park run in July and that took nearly 40mins). I've been cutting the time down steadily since then. At the mo I can't run continuously for the whole 5k but have been increasing speed to an average of 11kmh for the running bit, with 7kmh walking breaks in between. My question is, is this good progress? I'm a 29yo female, 5"9, 158lbs with an on-again-off-again relationship with exercise... Usually off if I'm honest.
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Replies
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if people said no, then what would happen?
all progress is good progress. if your goal was to do a sub 30 5k, then you smashed it, well done?6 -
That's fantastic progress in my opinion.
But that's MY opinion. How do you feel about it?
Something I've learned about running is that the only person you can really compete with is yourself, and there is no "normal". I've been running for months and I'm still a lot slower than you. but I'm happy with my progress because I can run.2 -
TavistockToad wrote: »if people said no, then what would happen?
all progress is good progress. if your goal was to do a sub 30 5k, then you smashed it, well done?
If people say no then I'll burst my little bubble of pride, reassess what I'm doing and work out how to make changes to do better. Isn't that the whole point of getting some kind of feedback from people who are more knowledgeable about this kind of thing?1 -
All progress is good progress.3
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ahodgeface wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »if people said no, then what would happen?
all progress is good progress. if your goal was to do a sub 30 5k, then you smashed it, well done?
If people say no then I'll burst my little bubble of pride, reassess what I'm doing and work out how to make changes to do better. Isn't that the whole point of getting some kind of feedback from people who are more knowledgeable about this kind of thing?
as the other reply has said, who are you competing with? i don't race 5ks so i cant give you my comparison times, my one and only chip timed 5k was 30:33 and that was over 2 years ago.
competing with yourself you've taken 4 minutes off your PB, i'd say that was pretty good...? is it a world record 5k time, probably not, but then does that matter?
my advice in general for improving your time is to run farther, but slower.6 -
Also: consider slowing down a bit and going for the continuous 5km. That is a great accomplishment to have under your belt as well. Then, as @TavistockToad said - run further, slower.4
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"Comparison is the thief of joy" T Roosevelt
Going from 34:25 to sub 30 in a month is pretty impressive. I'll echo TavistockToad's advice in that at this stage of the game your focus should be more on building your aerobic base (ie running longer times/distances) more slowly. Years ago a very wise coach told me not to worry about running a fast 5K until I could run a slow 10km.
Most of your runs should be at a pace at which you can carry on a conversation. This lets you build endurance and you're less likely to injure yourself (most running injuries are a result of too much, too soon, too fast)
Have fun!5 -
Great, thanks guys! You're right, I need to chill it with the speed, I don't intend on ever competing in races etc. I'll start slowing down and work on doing the full 5k.2
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ahodgeface wrote: »I don't intend on ever competing in races etc.
LOL I think just about every runner said that until they crossed the finish line at their first 5K!
I can honestly say that there's little that compares to the feeling you get coming down the finish chute in a race (even if you're a middle of the pack runner like me).
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BrianSharpe wrote: »ahodgeface wrote: »I don't intend on ever competing in races etc.
LOL I think just about every runner said that until they crossed the finish line at their first 5K!
I can honestly say that there's little that compares to the feeling you get coming down the finish chute in a race (even if you're a middle of the pack runner like me).
not true... i only started running to do a 10k race... and then was going to stop after that... 4 years later i haven't stopped... :laugh:1 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »
I can honestly say that there's little that compares to the feeling you get coming down the finish chute in a race (even if you're a middle of the pack runner like me).
100% agree with that :bigsmile:0 -
you have a 5k i am dreaming of 4 years of running.
slow down, go further. you can try a bridge to 10k. or run double. like a c25k.
i love a race. it's fun. i did a run this weekend and got a nice sweatshirt, caramel apple, cider and the thrill of chasing down the finish line.
but racing isn't for everyone0 -
thats awesome progress !! i love 5k's perfect distance0
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BrianSharpe wrote: »ahodgeface wrote: »I don't intend on ever competing in races etc.
LOL I think just about every runner said that until they crossed the finish line at their first 5K!
My thoughts at the end of my first 5K were along the lines of why the f*** did I do that to myself, that hurt. That's my I prefer the 50K, much less physically demanding.0 -
ahodgeface wrote: »My question is, is this good progress?
Sound great to me!
Enjoy it while it lasts though as you will probably start seeing diminishing returns in the next few months...All part of the fun though.
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As you increase the distance you run, your time will continue to drop. This will actually continue for years, especially if you start doing specific race training. However, don't try to race every run. That will get you injured. Most of your running, especially as a new runner, should be slow and easy. Even when you do start doing real speedwork, 80% of your miles should be easy, and before and after every fast session there should be slow warmup and cool-down miles (which is why you don't want to do speedwork too early in your training.)3
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It's all subjective. There is always someone who can run faster or farther than you. There are also people who are slower and can only do shorter distances.
Run for personal growth and you will always be successful.0 -
spiriteagle99 wrote: »As you increase the distance you run, your time will continue to drop. This will actually continue for years, especially if you start doing specific race training. However, don't try to race every run. That will get you injured. Most of your running, especially as a new runner, should be slow and easy. Even when you do start doing real speedwork, 80% of your miles should be easy, and before and after every fast session there should be slow warmup and cool-down miles (which is why you don't want to do speedwork too early in your training.)
This. Take it long and easy most of the time!
Cutting four minutes off your time in a month is great progress, and your time is pretty darned good for a female beginner runner in your age group. If you're walk/running this, you must walk fast! By the way, there's nothing wrong with walk/running, there are even books about it.
The only person you have to beat is yourself. However, if you're like me and can't help but be competitive this site will let you see how you stack up against other runners by age and gender:
http://www.pace-calculator.com/5k-pace-comparison.php
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Great job. I'll echo a lot of the comments here. Making your own goals should be the accomplishment. There's probably little chance unless you make it your whole life that you'll end up breaking a world record so what should count is what you have for your goals and they should be realistic. For example I've never done a 5k in under 30 minutes but I've completed 3 x 10ks. I'm a slow continuous runner so I prefer 10s over 5s. I know I'll never touch even our 10k winner at the local marathon run each year but I still set small goals and go from there. All that being said, running a sub 30 minute 5k is a pretty decent time, especially if you aren't running the whole thing yet.0
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »ahodgeface wrote: »I don't intend on ever competing in races etc.
LOL I think just about every runner said that until they crossed the finish line at their first 5K!
My thoughts at the end of my first 5K were along the lines of why the f*** did I do that to myself, that hurt. That's my I prefer the 50K, much less physically demanding.
I haven't run a 50K (and don't really see one in my future, I may change my mind after running a marathon) but I agree with you in that I'd much rather run a half-marathon than a 5K for the same reason. A well run 5K is hard!0
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