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Karen said:
I have!! Aargh. It's this coming Sunday - the Goring 10K - it's not a flat course either. I sooo wish I was faster, but I'm not yet. I think I'm looking at a time of 1h10mins to 1h15mins. I can't explain why I'm so slow, since I've trained often enough in the last 7 months (since I started running). I guess for some of us, achieving fitness is a VERY hard-won thing. I'm on the way, but I'm not there yet.

Meanwhile, I have this 10K on Sunday. Oops.

Well done Karen and best of luck :d
 
Karen said:
Thanks Dave, SE and FirstTimer,
Yes, I guess I just hope to be thick-skinned enough to not worry about what other people will think of me. No camera photos for me though, as no immediate family support is available at the moment. My husband is away in the US, so I'm on my own.

FirstTimer, I'm the wrong person to ask about how one gets to be faster. I tried improving speed November/December last year. And then realised that I was pushing my body too hard. That's when I first started to develop a small injury, and I suddenly also found that I was getting slower rather than faster. My body was simply too tired from the previous session. So I decided to not worry about speed, but rather concentrate on building up distance instead. My current target is that I must be able to run 8 miles before I again attempt to improve my speed. and when I get to that stage, I'm going to try fartlekking on lampposts (that is alternating my speed between lampposts). That seems to be the simplest approach. And since lampposts aren't that far apart, I think I should be able to achieve that.

And, if you listen to the advice of all the more experienced runners on this forum, they advise joining a running club, as that apparently tends to push you to run faster simply to keep up with other the club members.

Anyway, good luck with all your running too. There was such a sudden spate of new forum members from Plymouth joining our SE that it has been interesting to compare all your notes and follow your progress.
It's a shame you'll be on your own but that may work to your advantage as you won't have any outside worries to be concerned about and you'll be able to concentrate on your race plans. Just enjoy it and all the best.

With reference to getting quicker I think you are right to build up mileage first. That in itself will result in you picking up speed as you'll get stronger and with time be able to do those 8 miles in no time at all!

Joining a club isn't just about getting quicker..though that does tend to happen for the reason you state. Running with others keeps you motivated and maintains your enjoyment of the sport.

:)
 
Hi

There is a 10K race on 18th March at Plympton, can't remember the name of it though!!!! - I found it by putting a search into Google!!!

I haven't entered any races yet, but think I will before the Plymouth 1/2 just to gain a bit of experience of being in a race.

Jo
 
firsttimer said:
I am also slow around 13 min mile on a good day. how do you get faster does it just happen with time?
As suggested, joining a club does help with your speed as you'll be training in a group which helps push your pace.

To get faster I would suggest doing two speed sessions a week based around your regular training. You need to get your legs working at a faster pace that they're used to - short reps are good for this.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
jothesnail said:
Hi

There is a 10K race on 18th March at Plympton, can't remember the name of it though!!!! - I found it by putting a search into Google!!!

I haven't entered any races yet, but think I will before the Plymouth 1/2 just to gain a bit of experience of being in a race.

Jo
You are right Jo its the mad march hare 10k organised by the round table. It starts in Valley Road then you have to run up Cot Hill - the forms are available at www.tamartrotters.co.uk. There is also a 5k at Saltram on the same day.
 
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I have entered the 5k saltram run on the 18th and only after this saw the 10k which would have been more of a challenge but at the 5k you can go round as many times as you like so i will just have to go round twice!!
SE thanks for the club at Marjons that would be perfect for me as i live in Mainstone, so i have sent them an email and fingers crossed i will fit in there.
When i did the Brooks run i found it easier running with others i just have to be brave and join.
 
firsttimer said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I have entered the 5k saltram run on the 18th and only after this saw the 10k which would have been more of a challenge but at the 5k you can go round as many times as you like so i will just have to go round twice!!
SE thanks for the club at Marjons that would be perfect for me as i live in Mainstone, so i have sent them an email and fingers crossed i will fit in there.
When i did the Brooks run i found it easier running with others i just have to be brave and join.
Good luck with your race firsttimer. Of course another way to get faster is to just race a lot!
 
firsttimer said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I have entered the 5k saltram run on the 18th and only after this saw the 10k which would have been more of a challenge but at the 5k you can go round as many times as you like so i will just have to go round twice!!
SE thanks for the club at Marjons that would be perfect for me as i live in Mainstone, so i have sent them an email and fingers crossed i will fit in there.
When i did the Brooks run i found it easier running with others i just have to be brave and join.
Good Luck Firsttimer :d
 
admin said:
Good luck with your race firsttimer. Of course another way to get faster is to just race a lot!

But not too much...you need to let your body recover.
My race last Sunday is still playing havoc with my legs!
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
firsttimer said:
SE thanks for the club at Marjons that would be perfect for me as i live in Mainstone, so i have sent them an email and fingers crossed i will fit in there.
When i did the Brooks run i found it easier running with others i just have to be brave and join.
I ran with some of their ladies at the Plymouth Hoe 10 - I think you should fit in really well as they seemed like a friendly bunch. I noticed they go out on a Sunday morning. Most days I enjoy my solo runs but sometimes it would be nice to go out with others.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
Firstimer good luck but I'm sure you will be fine and made to feel really welcome. Being part of a club really encourages you I had loads of people coming up to me last night congratulating me on my race on Sunday - I felt like I'd come first!!!!
 
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