Can some of you newbies tell me what your pace is as I am trying to guage if I am really sloooooooow!!!!! getting a bit disheartened as I am running about 3.5 miles but only doing it in 35 to 40 minutes (not very accurately)!!!

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NELLIE

First of all. No such thing as too slow.

Second. 35mins. for 3.5 miles is quick good for a beginner.

5K is 3.1 miles, check out race times, many people are way over 30mins. A lot of beginners can't even run 3.5 without stopping, so don't feel down you are doing great....

.

I run 10k (6.2 miles) in about 57 minutes,thats after 18 months of giving up smoking and running 5 or 6 miles 3/4 times a week.So you don`t have to worry about being too slow.Just be chuffed with yourself every time you make even a small improvment. I do.

I'm with Dave here I think you are doing fine in fact it is a good start. I now run 4 miles in 29 mins, but that is after 2 yrs of running.

Keep going you are doing fine.

Hi Nellie,

Whatever you do don't feel bad about your running times, you are doing fine..give yourself a pat on the back...could you have run 3.5 miles 2 or 3 months ago?...no!....Just keep going, forget about the days when things don't go well...happens to everyone.

As I already know you started at the same time as me, we are pretty similar. I also think I'm slow, but have tried to concentrate on gradually increasing the distance and feeling better about it (apart from the crap days). I managed 5 miles this morning...first time....although slow, but if you had asked me to run that months ago I would have said absolutely no way.

So just keep going, then on 'good days' practice doing a few short bursts of a faster pace, then back to your usual, your speed will gradually increase with improved stamina.

good luck....but keep going, don't stop now you have got this far, think what you have already achieved.

oh dear, have just read this back...I sound like an 'old school teacher'.....I know how you feel though coz on bad days, I am really negative and beat myself up....I have been in a really bad mood all week...but this mornings 'effort' has really cheered me up.

Lyn.

Thanks everyone for your support, I feel much better...I will take on board what you have all said and just keep going

Lyn, thanks for the good advice I will try a few short sharp bursts of speed and see how I go..i'm heading out in the morning, I have plotted a nice 3 mile route for a Saturday morning so I will keep you posted as to how I get on.

Thanks again everyone

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NELLIE

Nellie, when did you start running?

Good luck with the run Nellie, just try and enjoy yourself. My times have improved listening to music...I know it is not always advisable, but as long as you are aware of things around you. I put on some real naff 'get up and go' stuff...mainly 'oldies'...and I run better. Mind you, I did ok today, but, on Wedneday I only did 3 miles ish and it was rubbish!

Keep going

Lyn.

Don't do the same distance all the time. Do one long run, then a shorter quicker run, or do some short sprints - sprint for about 15/20 sec's then walk for 30 sec's - do this 10/15 times.
Keep changing your runs ( distance & speed ), it will make training more interesting and your times over a set distance will improve.

Do some reading-up on training techniques.

My God, whatever did I used to do at work in the afternoons before I found this site!

Been going to the gym since April running on the treadmill but have only ventured outside recently...

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NELLIE

In that case your doing OK, stick at it and your times will come down. If you really want to improve I would advise joing a club.

Ha Ha...know what you mean...should be working too,

Thanks everyone I will keep you posted

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NELLIE

Good on ya Nellie!
The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.
Some of us are quick, some not so quick. We are all runners and that's the nice thing about our sport.
Good luck.