How slow is too slow?
rachel780mpg
Posts: 83 Member
Is running 3.5 mph-3.8 mph as a beginner too slow? I plan on increasing speed as the weeks go by but find I need to start pretty slow. I prefer running outside where I can run at my own pace without worrying about mph, but winter in Illinois is preventing that.
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No such thing as too slow for a beginner. In fact, what you think is too slow is probably faster than ideal. Speed comes later, first you have to allow your body to get used to it and build up endurance.5
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I agree. For a beginning runner, if the C25K app says to "run" it really means jog - ideally something faster than walking. My own personal experience was to use a heart rate monitor and calculate the fat burning zone - see this MFP blog post. Example - I'm 42 so my goal is usually to get into the 107 to 125 heart rate zone.
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/how-target-your-heart-rate-get-into-the-fat-burning-zone/
I ran into an issue years ago in weeks 7/8/9 of C25K where I wasn't able to complete the distance running. It was because my heart rate was way too high, so once I slowed it down I was able to do the full distance at around 4.7mph and didn't worry about improving that until I finished the program.
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eleanorhawkins wrote: »No such thing as too slow for a beginner. In fact, what you think is too slow is probably faster than ideal. Speed comes later, first you have to allow your body to get used to it and build up endurance.
Exactly.0 -
Too slow is still sat on the sofa. As long as you get out and do it you're winning 👍4
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Standing still is too slow, anything above that is good.3
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I have the opposite problem and know I'm going too fast..... But, don't know how to make myself go slower! I was a sprinter as a teen and learning to go slow and steady is tough!0
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Sing! If you can't sing, you're running too fast!1
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For someone going too fast I would recommend a heart rate monitor to help pace yourself. Another idea is to count your cadence (steps per minute) and try to find a running playlist with songs with a specific beats per minute (like 180)0
