Fastest Clyde/Athena 5k time (Page 2)

nscrbug - 2010-01-21 6:54 PM Wow!  With every new post to this thread, I just keep getting more and more impressed with these 5k times.  I seriously must be doing something wrong, because at my current weight (which is 152-155lbs)...I can barely maintain a 10-minute mile pace...and that's really pushing it for me.  And I run an average of 5-6x a week, for 3-4.5 miles per run.  I'm having a hard time understanding why I am SO slow, when I read about folks on here that are 100+ lbs heavier than me clocking times in the mid to low 20's for a 5k.  I realize that performance is not entirely based on the weight of a person, but I would think at some point...weight would start to have an impact on finishing times, no?  I know my form could probably benefit from some improvement, so I'm certain that is one thing affecting my run times.  But sometimes I feel so discouraged and frustrated with the lack of progress I'm making with running.  Lately, it almost feels pointless to keep doing it if I'm never going to be able to run faster or longer.     Sorry for whining. 

Linda

Daffodil - 2010-01-21 6:18 PM

Linda, 
Have you tried speed work at all?  (intervals, tempo runs, fartleks, hill training).  The only way to race faster is to practice faster.  Also, you could be working too hard in your daily runs and not letting your body recover.  i know this sounds silly to you right now, but it is the premise of heart rate training.  you let your body recover between hard workouts so that you can go really hard on your hard days.  On my regular training runs, I'm around 11 minutes per mile, but my 5K PR is sub 8 mpm (10K is about 8:30 and half is about 9:00).

nscrbug - 2010-01-21 7:43 PM

Yes, I try to get in at least 1-2 interval runs per week.  But here lies my problem - during these interval runs, I will alternate between a slower pace (5.6 - 5.8 mph) and a faster pace (6.5 - 7.0mph)...but I can barely hang on at the faster pace for more than 1 minute.  I cannot even fathom going any faster than 7.0 mph right now...there is just no way I could do it.  And I can only do this interval work for about 15 minutes...once I hit that mark, my legs are shot and I have to slow down to a consistent pace for the remainder of my run.  I've been stuck at this point for quite a long while now, with no progress in sight.  It's rather depressing, if I do say so myself...and it has made me sort of "dread" running at the moment (which obviously doesn't make it any easier). 

Linda

p.s. Sorry for the slight thread derailment!! 

eliwashere - 2010-01-22 10:44 AM I ran a 5K once in High School in 22 min. I was 185 lbs back then.
I ran 5K yesterday in training, tempo run speed and I did 24:00. I am 210 now, same height, many more miles and pizzas boxes behind me.
I think I could get down to 21, but it would probably mean throwing up afterward, which I am willing to do.

Linda, I too think you need to try to give your body a rest. If your legs are getting shot so soon, you may not be recovering enough. Oh, and I am 6ft even, and have been since age 14.

raidenolsen - 2010-02-18 7:56 PM April 2007 was my first 5K, 33:48 at about 245 lbs. About 195 now, and in December ran my fastest 5k at 22:25.