Running - hate being slow!

E

elaineyue

Cathlete
I consider myself a beginner runner, since I'm only working on endurance right now. But I feel as if I am SOOO slow. I hate when people who don't even run as consistently as I do can run much faster than me without any effort. (I make myself feel better by saying that I can run longer than they can!) Another bad thing is that running slow means I spend so much longer running a certain distance. It will take me an hour just to run 5 miles. Trying to follow a marathon training plan means I spend so much time running, even though I'm technically not running that much. I don't feel as if I have the fitness yet to do any quality speed work, but do any of you know if you naturally run faster after running for a while? I don't know how I will be able to handle all the long runs later on, which will take me HOURS.
Elaine
 
You will get faster after more experience with running! It used to take me 30 minutes to do 2 miles! Now I can do 6 miles in about 50-55 minutes. What worked for me was running hills, lower body strength training, plyometrics (the IMAXes definitely qualify as does PlyoX) and sprinting on tracks (I LOVE to go sprint on the long ends and walk or jog the curves but starting out I would recommend doing the opposite - slow jog the long ends and sprint the curves until you think you can handle the longer sections.)

Honestly, 5 miles in one hour is not very slow for a beginner! That's pretty good, actually! Keep running but vary your workouts and you will get faster!
 
If I remember correctly, you are training for a marathon. Finishing that event is what you should focus on and to do that endurance is the key. Running those long runs are key and it sounds like you're doing great! I wouldn't worry about speed. I ran my first marathon at an 11 minute mile average. I'm running long distances between 9 and 9.5 minute miles now with some of my miles along the way at 8.5 minutes.

Slow and steady is where you want to be. Just think of what you are training for. Keep you eye on the goal. The emotion of crossing the finish line at your first marathon is very similar to giving birth. If you don't have children then at least you'll sort of know what to expect if you ever do.

I love working out with Cathe but running is my passion and I am so excited for you and anyone else who decides to commit to running a marathon. It's no small endeavor.

I guess I've rambled on but my main point is you're doing great. The people you see running those shorter distances fast don't have the endurance you do. There's no way they could keep up that pace for a looong run!!

Elaine
 
I run slow too. I run just for the fun of it, for exercise, not to compete. I wear my polar HRM and get a great workout. I took my little 13 pound dog with me a few times, and he only has to walk fast to keep up with me LOL. He barely trots and he is right along side me.

I don't really care, cause i'm not competing, but if you are i agree with the endurance training advice.
 
I run slow too. More like a 11:30 mile. I can pick up the pace and sometimes do, but usually I can't for too long. I think one of my problems is still having extra weight. If I lost 20 lbs. I think I could improve on my speed. It's work picking up these thunder thighs. :)

Lori

edited for grammar, although I am sure there are still many mistakes. :)
 
Thanks for the pep talks! Yes, I am quite proud that I can run for a couple of hours, and I'm sure I will be able to train to run the entire marathon. I'll worry about speed later. I guess I'm being unrealistic in thinking I can be an elite runner overnight (or EVER!).

Lois, LOL about your thunder thighs comment!
 
Do you run your long runs alone? If you don't maybe there is someone who is also training for the same marathon you are going to run. Is it the Nike Women's Marathon in SF? I think it's much easier if you have somebody to run with. Running at a slow to moderate steady pace is conducive to having lengthy conversations. I run with my husband sometimes but he's not exactly chatty and I have to keep nagging him to slow down. Also he's a slave to his GPS virtual partner and that just bugs me to no end. I prefer to run long with one or two of my running girlfriends.


Elaine
 
I started running for the first time ever in January. So NOT a runner! My first few weeks, I was running for an hour at no more than 5.5 mph. Now, I am comfortable at 7.0-7.2 mph! Thing is, i have no idea if that is good or not...especially since I am on a treadmill. The way I look at it, I am sweating like a hooker in church so I KNOW I am getting a great workout!

My point is...I am progressing all the time! One way to improve is short spurts of sprints. I truely believe it helps build cardio strength!
 
Hi Elaine....welcome to the world of meeting natural ability runners!!!! Yes, you can get faster but like the other posters this is your first marathon. Don't worry about speed!!! The runners you see though that seem to run with little or no effort are definitely gifted with that ability. There are women where I live I will NEVER beat....I will not be able to ever do a 6 minute pace in a thing! It is so not fair when you have to run against them. x( But I have almost accepted that...:7

I love distance myself so if it takes me longer I really don't care as I love doing it. My first marathon in 1997 I did in 4 hours, my best marathon I did in 1999 at 3:30 (when I trained HARD and was able to incorporate speed work) my last marathon this Jan 2005 was 4:17 (my slowest of the 12 I have run)....talk about depressing. I hated running that slow. I had gotten over an injury (achilles tendonitis) and was getting back into distance. My point is don't worry about speed now, as it is so important to get the distances in to train your body to get used to running for that long. I am also lucky to have a sister and running friends that I can do long runs with. That really helps. So, Higdons or Galloways plans are great or whichever one you follow for the marathon. And Elaine when you finish the marathon coming up (I know you will)...then take some time off and we will talk SPEED!!!!!....:)...Carole
 
Elaine, sometimes I'm faster and sometimes I'm slower. When I ran all the time I got past how fast I ran and how fast other people ran and just concentrated on doing the best I could. You will improve but it takes time and you don't want to push yourself too hard or you'll risk injury. Just focus on the fact that you're doing it and you're getting better everyday be it faster, longer, better form, easier breathing or discovering a new way to carry your water bottle!

You're doing great cause you're doing it! Keep up the good work! :):)

Jo
 
Hi elaine, I hardly ever jog fast, I just want to tone my butt and waist... I don't care really how fast I go, but there was one time with hubby, that it was so slow, I might as well have been walking fast lol.......... Rhonda:7
 
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