Does speed matter?

vegasvisitor

barbarawright wrote: »

The first time I completed 5k it took 45 minutes. I've only knocked 10 minutes off that. I've done two 10k races, taken 1hr 18minutes for both of them and wasn't anywhere near last. So don't worry. And even if you are last, so what. You're faster than the people still on the sofa. Plus, with a 5k, you'll only be last by, at most, a few minutes which means there'll be plenty of people still around to cheer you. Which they will do because they'll be so pleased they can pack up :rotfl:

I'm not much faster than you at 32:something for a 5k and my first (and only) 10k was 1hr 14. I go to Parkrun every week and there are a few of us who just can't get much faster. We're not all built for every sport, but if you're enjoying it or achieving something (in my case keeping fit and keeping my weight down) then keep it up! If you start doing races or timed runs you'll probably improve a bit. It's amazing how doing a timed run takes a couple of minutes off your normal time for that distance. I think the buzz of the atmosphere helps.

rjhammond91

Well done on getting out there and doing it! You should be really proud of yourself!
I don't think it matters if you're the last to finish - be happy that you can finish

I've just started running and can't even run a mile yet without feeling like I'm having a heart attack! But i am determined to improve so I have signed up to do a 5km obstacle course run next March!

Johnmcl7

No, I don't think speed matters - what I think is much more important is what you're doing already which is getting out regularly.

I took up cycling a couple of years ago to avoid doing short runs in my car and over time gradually built it up from cycling a couple of miles at a time to much longer cycles, endurance racing and cyclocross races. However I don't do well at races, I usually take part for a laugh but feel that perhaps I should take a more structured approach to improve my performance. However I cycle because I enjoy it and therefore I keep on doing it, I don't want to spoil that by forcing myself to train and go faster when my performance is still far better than it was a couple of years ago.

John

Ivana_Tinkle

It's cheesy but it's true: you're lapping everyone on the couch.

I agree that there is no chance of anyone laughing at you, but if you did want to get faster you could do a session of interval training once a week. I started doing this a few months ago and I've been shocked at how quickly my speeds have improved - although you could still never accuse me of being fast!

barbarawright

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

It's cheesy but it's true: you're lapping everyone on the couch.

I agree that there is no chance of anyone laughing at you, but if you did want to get faster you could do a session of interval training once a week. I started doing this a few months ago and I've been shocked at how quickly my speeds have improved - although you could still never accuse me of being fast!

I think this is going to be my project for next year. This year I just want to increase distance and get comfortable with longer runs without any walk breaks but next year I would like to get to a 30 minute 5k. Yes, I know how to aim high :rotfl:

vegasvisitor

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

It's cheesy but it's true: you're lapping everyone on the couch.

I agree that there is no chance of anyone laughing at you, but if you did want to get faster you could do a session of interval training once a week. I started doing this a few months ago and I've been shocked at how quickly my speeds have improved - although you could still never accuse me of being fast!

Since it worked for you....would you mind giving us a guideline on how to do an interval session? I know that I could look this up on the web, but it would be good to hear what a real live not so fast person did to improve

On the subject of all this racing. We have a 10k race locally next week, it's the more serious local running club that are running it. Some of the parkrunners are part of the less serious local running club, and said they're going to run and were encouraging me to go too. I'm much slower than them. Anyway, I was a bit worried what the serious running club would think of this...so I emailed and asked them for a frank opinion. I got a quite enthusiastic encouraging reply saying yes definitely come along, don't worry we won't pack up before you're done, and bring some other parkrunners too! I was pleased with the reply so I'm going to give it a bash.

Another local run this week is a Tuesday night one mile race. Sounds easy, right? Well I went out and tried it. Folk say you pick up from your 5k pace and try to keep it going for a mile! OMG it was hard. I can totally understand now that shorter isn't easier :rotfl: I was thinking of chickening out, but this race is quite unique - in distance and also by the fact that you run with the prevailing wind so they will announce the direction on the day. I've just seen a weather forecast and we're due to get 50mph winds. Trying to decide if this means I should go for it, or if it might actually blow me over. Any thoughts :rotfl:

flissh

Well done on getting out there!
what everyone else has said is true. It's not a race against others, just yourself. This is your first event so you have no 'PB' to beat. Just enjoy the day.
Have you got a park run near you? It really is great fun, all inclusive, free & healthy, what's not to love about it. (Except it's addictive).

pooandwee

VestanPance wrote: »

Speed only matters if that's what you are training for and aiming for a particular time.

The chances are you won't be last at your 5km. Even if you are nobody will be pointing and laughing. Everyone who runs had a starting point and they know it takes determination to build yourself up.

On where you go after your 5km that depends on what you want and what you enjoy. The best training is to mix it up and do both. Do speed work were you push yourself over shorter distances and do easy paced runs over longer distances to build up stamina.

The main thing is to find something that motivates you and that you enjoy. I know people who do nothing but short speed runs, and other that do nothing but distance as that's what they like. I know someone who's ran 50 marathons but refuses to run 5k's as they're too fast and hurt too much!

this^^^

depends what your goals are. I get bored on longer runs so tend to add sprints into shorter runs. Whatever works for you

PLUS: No one cares about you at a race. I mean this in the nicest possible way, too busy worrying about themselves ;-)

NotBothered

Well - I DID IT! I did my first 5km on the weekend and did it in 38:18. Not great but I definitely wasnt last and you were all completely correct, it wouldnt have mattered if I was! :-) And then to top it off, I went for a "little" run the following day to stretch off a little and ended up doing another 5km! Go me! In training for my 10km in July now. Hoping I can keep up the momentum. Ran home from work yesterday which is 4miles and it didnt kill me but definitely was my limit at the moment, so will be working on that.

Thank you all for the support. Had my MRI scan yesterday as well to see if the MS has progressed, as have been experiencing some new symptoms, so am looking forward to meeting with the Consultant to let him know how my "self-help" is going and that I dont need his meds at the moment! Feeling very proud of myself and a just a teensy bit smug! :-)

barbarawright

:j that's fabulous! You should feel really proud of yourself. And good news about your health. In your 10k there will definitely be people taking walk-breaks at the back so don't worry if you have to do that. You won't come last and even if you do, so what? I read recently that the person who comes last plays a key role as all of slowbies check the results from last year and breather a sigh of relief if we see someone who might be slower that us and then we sign up :beer: