Slow Runner, Getting back at it Again.
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Going to start training for a half marathon and just riding my bike for fun. I tend to need a goal with my training. Running and leaning out are really just preparing me to ride better, but bike training has been stressful. I know I’m not a great runner, so I have few expectations other than progress. Walk/run may be the outcome, but that’s okay it will still be faster than the ones I didn’t run last year.5
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@pridesabtch Good for you. Be healthy and happy. Please keep me posted with your progress. So inspiring!
A friend is trying to convince me to sign up for a 1/2 in September. I am undecided yet and will evaluate my runs in May. That would give me 3+months to train. I would like to be able to run 3 miles comfortably before I consider.3 -
Not to discourage you, but a half marathon in September sounds very ambitious if you're currently not running 3 miles comfortably?
I've really upped my mileage the past few months and it bit me in the a**, I ended up overtraining and had to take a step back (well, I'm trying to anyway).
I've been running for a few years now (granted, only been serious about increasing mileage and speed the past 6 months), my longest runs are currently 13-14km and I wouldn't enter myself in a half marathon in September 😳😆2 -
@Lietchi I tend to agree with your comment. I will not set myself up to fail, but I also don't necessarily want to limit myself in what actually might be doable. I am not committing to anything yet, and should I decide to give the September half some serious thought, when/if training and I am not capable of doing longer runs, I will back off and shoot for next spring or sometime next year. (much depends on my weight loss journey and my endurance.)
Not only is the endurance going to be an issue, weather too. The normal highs currently in 40's, June if starting to train upper 70's to 80's, July-August 80s with some 90s and high humidity is not going to help. So yes still sticking to the wait and see plan, but as a realist, pretty sure my friend is going to have to delay "our" half until MAYBE next spring or longer.
My body... My choice
But my mind has no say in the matter 
PS: Why not enter yourself into a half in September? If you are running 6, 7, miles or more you have plenty of time to train to increase your distance. IMO you could certainly do that. But each and everyone is individual.... No judgement here.4 -
Definitely sounds like a sensible approach 🙂
As for my own choices, well... I'm still hesitating about participating in a 5k, let alone a half marathon 😁 not because I doubt my running, certainly not at a 5km level, but my last 5k was pretty traumatic and I'm a very shy person anyway (I usually run on my treadmill at home). I wouldn't just want to be able to run the full distance (comfortably), I wouldn't want to be at the back of the pack.
I think I might start a real program now to work up to a half marathon (instead improvising a programme) but perhaps not to run a race. I enjoy pushing myself, but perhaps better without the stress of a race 🙂2 -
@Lietchi It sounds like your races are way different then the USA races in my location. In the race there are the serious competitors from all around the world running for the race medals as well as the prize money. However, there are also those doing it just to finish. So yes, as someone in per say the "race" just to finish sounds so different then everyone running for the fastest time.
IMO you have your head derailing with your past trauma. I for sure get that.... but you have been running for quite some time now and I think you don't realize the leaps you have taken. Please search for a "FUN" run in your area and do it. (IF that is an option you will not be the last one as there will be some walking pushing a stroller.) I wouldn't think the USA is not the only place that does those? OR, at the very least, do your very own 5K run for time and then compare yourself to some of the other race times. (I have the capability to look at races/times for runners maybe you do too?) You may find that your time is not the last person coming in.
Our minds can have good intentions, but be the worst for setting us up to fail and to prevent us from surpassing what me might be able to achieve.
Thanks for posting as you truly are inspiring to me!2 -
Definitely sounds like a sensible approach 🙂
As for my own choices, well... I'm still hesitating about participating in a 5k, let alone a half marathon 😁 not because I doubt my running, certainly not at a 5km level, but my last 5k was pretty traumatic and I'm a very shy person anyway (I usually run on my treadmill at home). I wouldn't just want to be able to run the full distance (comfortably), I wouldn't want to be at the back of the pack.
I think I might start a real program now to work up to a half marathon (instead improvising a programme) but perhaps not to run a race. I enjoy pushing myself, but perhaps better without the stress of a race 🙂
Do you have Parkrun in your area? I found it a great way to connect with other runners locally without the stress of a big race. There are many at my location that walk instead of run or just run casually instead of competing against each other. We don’t have many locations in the US but I got lucky to have one near me. It might be a way for you to casually step away from the treadmill once a week.
I toyed with training for a half. I don’t know that I actually want to run it at an event, but just close to home to prove to myself that I can. I was looking at beginner plans today and they run about 20 weeks. I’m already running a couple times per week. So I may decide to give it a go.1 -
fatty2begone wrote: »@Lietchi It sounds like your races are way different then the USA races in my location. In the race there are the serious competitors from all around the world running for the race medals as well as the prize money. However, there are also those doing it just to finish. So yes, as someone in per say the "race" just to finish sounds so different then everyone running for the fastest time.
IMO you have your head derailing with your past trauma. I for sure get that.... but you have been running for quite some time now and I think you don't realize the leaps you have taken. Please search for a "FUN" run in your area and do it. (IF that is an option you will not be the last one as there will be some walking pushing a stroller.) I wouldn't think the USA is not the only place that does those? OR, at the very least, do your very own 5K run for time and then compare yourself to some of the other race times. (I have the capability to look at races/times for runners maybe you do too?) You may find that your time is not the last person coming in.
We don't have fun runs here, or I've never heard of any anyway. All races with 'real' runners (of different levels and ages, sure, mostly in the shorter distances).
My 5km pace is not an issue anymore - my best is 32min30 which is definitely good enough for a race without embarrassment (no longer a truly slow runner 🙂). It's just a mental block at this point 🙂emmamcgarity wrote: »
Do you have Parkrun in your area? I found it a great way to connect with other runners locally without the stress of a big race. There are many at my location that walk instead of run or just run casually instead of competing against each other. We don’t have many locations in the US but I got lucky to have one near me. It might be a way for you to casually step away from the treadmill once a week.
I toyed with training for a half. I don’t know that I actually want to run it at an event, but just close to home to prove to myself that I can. I was looking at beginner plans today and they run about 20 weeks. I’m already running a couple times per week. So I may decide to give it a go.
No Park runs in my country. I do have a wood chip path nearby, where my BF and I went for a run together a few weeks ago. With spring arriving, definitely an idea to get outside a bit more and do some hills.
I definitely would like to try running a half, but, like you, perhaps not an actual race 🙂3 -
Look at the beginner training plan at the “Snacking in Sneakers” website. It’s a 20 week plan that looks ok. Want to do it? We could just check in for accountability since I’m not really interested in running at a race.0
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Great thread. Had stopped jogging for 25+ years. After a club med vacation and a year of walking and eventually introducing some jogging these days I usually do a daily 5k. I’m not setting any speed records, but getting one done in 28 mins and a few secs for me is a great accomplishment. At 52 am more conscious of all the factors of a jog than I was in my 20s. Effort and distance is what I strive for. On occasion I try to punch it, but I will not push to the point of being sidelined. Yesterday went to the lake with intent of doing 2 laps or just under 6 miles. Could I have done it yup. The wind gusts and inclines and how I felt overall said dial it back. I averaged a 9:50 pace for 4.5 miles. I’ve beaten myself a bit, but considering my age and hiatus I took I’ll accept that I won’t be averaging any 7-8 min jogs. My happy place is 9-10 min. I call myself a jogger and this week alone I’ve done 4.5 to a full 10k during a lunch jog on Friday. However I’ve been apprehensive to say I am runner or that I go on runs because of my speed. A jogger I am and proud to be in your company.5
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So excited to post I completed a 2 mile run with no walk breaks. I was amazingly fast at 13.333 mm on the treadmill. (I run faster on the treadmill than outside).
The weather has been a bit of a stinker again with back to winter temps, snow/rain, so treadmill again. The thought of having to run 2 miles on the treadmill was making me postpone my run. I am so glad last night I forced myself on and completed the task. It wasn't all that bad and the high of doing it and completing it was a great reward.
Our weather forecast this week looks mostly dreadful so I might be able to sneak one run outside. I will not be postponing the runs on the treadmill this week, as I can not wait to finish the c25k program and officially (at least in my head) be a runner again. (BTW anyone doing c25k is a runner, it is just silliness in my head)
As a side note, I stepped on the scale and am officially out of the 190's. Weighed in today at 189.0. Running and calorie counting is working. I am down 17 pounds since starting and I feel amazing. (Such small goals being accomplished bring great rewards)
Next goal 3 miles and hopefully lots of running miles and SMILES ahead for me!
Happy Running to everyone!6 -
@mrmota70
That is great success. It still amazes me that anyone under 11 MM thinks they are a slow runner.
Can you imagine if everyone ran the same speed? "Traffic" jams on running paths, sidewalks, country roads
Edit for post above: BTW I am crediting myself an extra pound loss. Just realized my math is terrible and I am down 16 lbs. I guess just a credit for the scale next week 2 -
Congratulations on your losses and gains!
Loss of mass and gains of miles, keep it up! 
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Another slow runner here, I was running a lot during the first UK lockdown, joined a running club and then completed my first half marathon last year. I was then training to complete the virtual London marathon, getting up to 17 miles last year when I got a(nother!) Injury.
Just starting to run again and now also cutting down the food to contemplate it and hoping this will help stop the injury roller coaster and get me down from the 206lbs i posted yesterday. I have just turned 46 and I am giving myself the goal of completing a marathon before my next birthday and also to reach 180lbs!
Feel free to add me to see what I am up to and to help with the motivation.
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fatty2begone wrote: »So excited to post I completed a 2 mile run with no walk breaks. I was amazingly fast at 13.333 mm on the treadmill. (I run faster on the treadmill than outside).
The weather has been a bit of a stinker again with back to winter temps, snow/rain, so treadmill again. The thought of having to run 2 miles on the treadmill was making me postpone my run. I am so glad last night I forced myself on and completed the task. It wasn't all that bad and the high of doing it and completing it was a great reward.
Our weather forecast this week looks mostly dreadful so I might be able to sneak one run outside. I will not be postponing the runs on the treadmill this week, as I can not wait to finish the c25k program and officially (at least in my head) be a runner again. (BTW anyone doing c25k is a runner, it is just silliness in my head)
As a side note, I stepped on the scale and am officially out of the 190's. Weighed in today at 189.0. Running and calorie counting is working. I am down 17 pounds since starting and I feel amazing. (Such small goals being accomplished bring great rewards)
Next goal 3 miles and hopefully lots of running miles and SMILES ahead for me!
Happy Running to everyone!
Great work. Makes me smile when I find a fellow jog junky… looks like you’ll reach your c25k goal soon enough. Just pay attention to your body. It’ll tell when your pushing to hard. Today I did an outside 2 miler with 18 mph winds half the time. Managed some decent time nevertheless. Finished off today with 25 minutes on the elliptical.1 -
fatty2begone wrote: »@mrmota70
That is great success. It still amazes me that anyone under 11 MM thinks they are a slow runner.
Can you imagine if everyone ran the same speed? "Traffic" jams on running paths, sidewalks, country roads
Edit for post above: BTW I am crediting myself an extra pound loss. Just realized my math is terrible and I am down 16 lbs. I guess just a credit for the scale next week
It’s just me thinking I should be faster, but I’m fairly happy with where I’m at these days…. Thanks for the kudos
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10k done this morning, I am feeling it on my knees. Plan is to get up and complete a 30 min run in the morning to keep the momentum going. Anyone joining me?3
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sharpiejas wrote: »10k done this morning, I am feeling it on my knees. Plan is to get up and complete a 30 min run in the morning to keep the momentum going. Anyone joining me?
If your knees are still bothering you tomorrow you might want to try a low impact option or a rest day.
But yes, I’ll join you for a 30 min run!
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Smaller run worked ok, a bit of pain but not as bad as it has been.
Had a session with my friends men's fit club this evening. Good to join up with other people.2 -
After getting another head cold GRRRR (2xtimes in the last 6 weeks.)
Back at c25k again. 4 more days to go. Just finished 2.5 miles with my slow speed. I did run the last .15 miles at a slightly faster speed just to see if I could do it.
Was looking forward to running outside today, but mother nature is just not ready to let spring arrive. 2 inches of really slushy snow fell, so TM again. Maybe next run weather will cooperate.
Happy Running to all!2 -
After doing a 10k on Friday just under 60 mins I’ve been a lot slower than usual. My endurance has also taken a hit. I did a slower 4 mile jog on Sat. Sundays is my easy weekly work out. I did a 5k in slightly over 30 mins. Today I went back up to a 4.23 mile jog. Felt sluggish, but kept my avg to 10:39 min miles. Now Sat and Sun jogs did include breaking in two new pairs of joggers so that probably added to my overall times..2
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Sun was shining, slight breeze, and balmy 45degrees outside in northern Wisconsin today. Snow is mostly gone and maybe spring has finally arrived.
Well I did it! I ran my 1st 5k, actually ended up running 3.25 miles at my slow awesome pace. I have officially completed c25K and look forward to a more comfortable, more confident 5k in the upcoming runs.
Thanks to all who post and all who visit!
Happy Running to everyone!4 -
@fatty2begone congrats!1
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@emmamcgarity
Thank You... Like your smiling face in your profile pic. I will have to update mine soon with a big smile too (instead of using my adorable dog). Now if I could only change my profile name... Wish I hadn't been so clever
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I started running again after a 25 year break! I worked my way up to a 5K last Spring. Ran the whole way!
Ran a 11:40 mile pace.
Then I read somewhere that you are only considered a "runner" if you can run under a 10 minute pace. So that was my goal.
By Fall I had my 5K down to this:
That's a 9:05 pace.
Training really does work!
I have now run two 5-Mile races and one 10K. Presently training for a 10-Mile race!
Stay tuned...
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@Thewonderofitall Holy smokes thats improvement! Congratulations on the fast speed and your successful run.
You can definitely see in your physique the muscular difference. Very impressive!
I would disagree with the comment about 10M pace being a runner. This may be true in the professional eyes or faster runners, but this is definitely not true in my eyes. I am out there running, pushing myself at my slow speed and every distance I make is a run. I surely hope to improve my time because my new speed is slower than my previous years slow speed, but I know with time I will improve. However, should I not improve my time, I am out there running faster then those sitting on their duff.
Happy Running to Everyone!1 -
fatty2begone wrote: »I would disagree with the comment about 10M pace being a runner. This may be true in the professional eyes or faster runners, but this is definitely not true in my eyes. I am out there running, pushing myself at my slow speed and every distance I make is a run. I surely hope to improve my time because my new speed is slower than my previous years slow speed, but I know with time I will improve. However, should I not improve my time, I am out there running faster then those sitting on their duff.
I agree, that's not realistic, most people I see running on our local wood chip course don't run at that speed, certainly not on average, and yet they certainly are runners.
I had a limit of 8kph (12:04min/mile) in my head for a long time, to be a 'real' runner, just because my Garmin won't post anything in my exercise diary under 8kph as running
This conversion chart kind of confirms it in my head, since the chart starts at 8kph
https://www.runnorthwest.co.uk/pages/race-pace-conversion-chart
And even then, if you follow Olympic rules for (race)walking, speed is irrelevant - running isn't defined by speed but rather by contact with the ground. You can walk very quickly or run slowly, whatever you want!1 -
I went for an early morning run. My DH and I had to drop a vehicle off at a mechanic this AM, so I drove a vehicle and he a vehicle to drop off. I mapped out the distance and it was 4.35 miles. I thought I would give him the keys to the second vehicle and I would get a run in finished with a walk. I handed him the keys, started my old NIKE sport watch for distance and time, turned on my running playlist, and off I went. With this run/walk I learned a few valuable lessons.
1) Fueling yourself before a run is important. (At least in my case).
2) 2 Cups of coffee right before your run is too much. (I will spare you the details)
3) Sometimes the last leg of your distance is the easiest part of the run.
I started out on empty and bonked by the half mile mark. I walked a spell then started the run again. I did this with the first 3 miles. The 4th mile surprisingly I ran the entire way. My speed was VERY slow, but hey... I ran the entire mile. the last .35 miles I walked, saw a neighbor and chatted for a spell, then arrived at home and promptly jumped in to the shower.
I also learned a few more valuable lessons.
4) I completed the task by pushing my self to do it. I could have easily called my husband and asked him to pick me up because I could not accomplish the task I set out. (Run 3 miles straight then walk the 1.35 miles).
5) Finishing the task is much better then quitting and taking the easy way out. Although I did not complete the task as I intended, I did finish it and feel damn proud I did.
6) Being able to adjust task in real life is necessary. Not every run will work out as you planned. Not every run will be amazing and the best thing since sliced bread. It is ok to adjust your run as needed and if a walk instead of the planned run happens, you will still be moving your body, improving your health, and finish the task at hand.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Running to all.
Birdie4 -
Maybe I should have said "they" say the difference between Jogging and Running is a 10 minute mile.
As decreed here:
https://runtrails.org/jogging-vs-running
https://verywellfit.com/difference-between-running-and-jogging-29111220 -
I know this is just a thing, maybe a thing just for me.... But I hate being referred to as a jogger and not a runner. I am a runner whether at speed slow or anothers speed fast. Some are just faster then I and maybe some slower. But we are all runners. And... in my eyes all are rockstars
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