questions about being a slow runner

Dude, you are OLD, ancient, of course you're slow. Why give up? Because you're
slow? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. So are you a troll, or just a
moron?

Don't try to be competitive if it sucks the fun out! I respect each
person I see out there running, fast or slow, because unlike most
people, they are doing something.

In article <[email hidden]>,

(TerrySquier) said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about ten
miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to get out
of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart attack
and
bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've been running
again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running two
half-marathons
in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner
that
everybody passes. Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12 miles at
about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me. The only time I
can
break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing half-mile or one-mile
intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give up running even though I
love it.

I ran a 17:15 5k in high school, then got away from it for a long time.
I've gotten into triathlons and was very slow, although I did complete
Ironman Wisconsin last year. This year my focus has been on getting
faster. I got a heart rate monitor, which tells me when I just *think*
I'm working hard, so I know when I can push harder. I've also taken to
doing treadmill runs, with a 5 minute walk at 15 minute miles. Then I
start jogging at 12 min miles, bumping up 1 minute per mile faster every
minute until I get to 8:00 miles. Then I do 20 minutes at a pace faster
than 8 min/mile. I do this once a week, and every time I try to go a
little faster. I've gotten up to 6:40 (or so) min per mile for 20
minutes.

The biggest thing in getting faster is varying your workouts. Run short
and fast some days, long and slow others. Do intervals some days, tempo
runs, etc.

The most basic speed plan I've read about is the 1-1-1 plan: you run 1
mile, 1 time per week, at 1:00 per mile faster than you usually do.

Good luck! And don't forget, you don't need to get faster if you don't
want to; if you're enjoying running, don't worry about it.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

Don't compare yourself to where you were 20 years ago, compare
yourself to your peers today. That's the people who had heart
attacks and (if they survived) bypass surgery. How many of them
are now running? How many of them are running half-marathons?
You seem to be far ahead of the game even if your pace is slow.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. A year ago I was borderline
obese and pretty much a couch potato. Today I'm preparing for a
marathon in 9 days. I really don't care that I'm always among the
last to finish in my marathon training group or that I'm routinely
passed on the trail.

Bear

"TerrySquier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about
ten
miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to get
out
of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart attack
and
bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've been
running
again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running two
half-marathons
in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner
that
everybody passes. Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12 miles
at
about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me. The only time
I can
break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing half-mile or
one-mile
intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give up running even
though I
love it.

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone. My email address is
[email hidden].

Well, one option might be to forget these short distance races and join the
ultra running fraternity. A 12 min pace can be quite respectable for a long
distance event. Much more fun too. ;-)

Tim

So what if you're slow? What bothers you about it besides the fact
that people pass you? At your age and with your health history, you
should feel proud that you're running at all.

"Tim Downie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"TerrySquier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about
ten
miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to get
out
of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart attack
and
bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've been
running
again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running two
half-marathons
in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner
that
everybody passes. Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12 miles
at
about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me. The only time
I can
break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing half-mile or
one-mile
intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give up running even
though I
love it.

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone. My email address is
[email hidden].

Well, one option might be to forget these short distance races and join the
ultra running fraternity. A 12 min pace can be quite respectable for a long
distance event. Much more fun too. ;-)

Tim

"TerrySquier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about

ten miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to
get out of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart
attack and bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've
been running again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running
two half-marathons in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

Quoted message said:

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner

that everybody passes. Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12
miles at about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me. The
only time I can break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing
half-mile or one-mile intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give
up running even though I love it.

Quoted message said:

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone. My email address is
[email hidden].

Thanks, all. Terry

I'm slow, & about your age (61 in Jan.). I'm also diabetic & a cancer
survivor. I have no trouble running (jogging) at the back of the pack at
maybe an 11min/mile pace -- and I haven't been "last" yet, though I've come
pretty close. I recently came in ahead of an 80+yr man and a 9yr old girl.
So what if they were the only ones I "beat"? I did the run, which not a lot
of women my age can (though a number of them -- even several years older --
can leave me in their dust).

I really don't care how many people pass me. And some of them are even
younger guys who go out too fast, whiz by me early on, & I pass *them* as
they are *walking* later on! I've also been passed just before the finish
line -- by a guy who apparently didn't want a female to beat him -- he said,
as he went by, that I was his target; I knew it & told him so, but didn't
care -- but if I'd had any kick left I sure would've used it after that
remark!

I'm not up to 1/2 marathon distances -- my most ambitions plan is a 10miler
next month. If I crack 2hrs I'll be surprised. I seem to getting slower
rather than faster over the past few months! And my training is limited by
how much my body can take -- the legs/ankles/knees are only up to so much,
though my lungs & spirit are ready for more. It can take several days for me
to recover from more than 6 miles or so -- I have to cut back to walks.

I know a man who is a few years younger than I am, has had a heart
attack & is also diabetic; he runs about my pace or slower, and has done a
couple of 1/2's. I think he uses a heart rate monitor a lot of the time. He
certainly doesn't worry about coming in at the end.

Just enjoy what you are doing, don't worry about "what people think" or
about "what I used to do" or "what other people are doing". Run your own
race or training, for your own reasons, in whatever way is comfortable &
suitable for you. Even if it means taking walk breaks (but you can disguise
some of those by doing them around water stations, heh heh!).

Jogging around the neighborhood, I occasionally get jerk comments -- but
I've never gotten any guff from actual runners either on the street or in a
race. And the people finishing late in a race get cheers too -- the earlier
finishers know how much effort it's taking!
bj

Quoted message said:

Well, one option might be to forget these short distance races and join

the

Quoted message said:

ultra running fraternity. A 12 min pace can be quite respectable for a

long

Quoted message said:

distance event. Much more fun too. ;-)

Tim

http://www.dailywav.com/0602/timmy1.wav

TerrySquier said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about ten
miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to get out
of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart attack and
bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've been running
again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running two half-marathons
in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner that
everybody passes.

Could this be an issue of you going out too fast or starting too near
the front?

Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12 miles at

Quoted message said:

about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me.

Well, it's a lot faster than me and longer distance, and I'm a few years
younger without bypass surgery 😉 And I don't let that bother me. I'm in
it for the challenge and fun, not the speed. Your goals may be different.

The only time I can

Quoted message said:

break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing half-mile or one-mile
intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give up running even though I
love it.

If you run because you love it, why would you ever consider stopping?
Forget about the watch and pacing.

For some of us, running is much more than doing races. Some people run
to race, and others, like myself, may do events to see different trails
(and eventually other parts of state) or to see how well I can run the
event (=well enough prepared to not be excessively sore for too many days).

Also, consider your health history. Just being out there running is much
more than many people do, even without bypass surgery. Don't expect
6:50 paces based on your time 20+ years ago. Live and run in the present.

And if you want to get faster (not sure if that's your goal or not), you
can build long runs or add some fartlek or tempo runs as you're able.

Quoted message said:

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement.

Just keep keeping on! You've got your goals and interests and keep
working towards them. Good luck!

Dot

--
"Success is different things to different people"
-Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

i agree with DOT
that is not slow ,,, i heard a guy interview another guy about getting
his butt kick my a girl. I thought to my self i get my butt kick all the
time in my races by other men and other women . so slow really is not an
issue yet. hang in there, stay steady,there is someone always faster as
there is someone slower
poldzilla

Dot said:

TerrySquier said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about ten
miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to get out
of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart attack and
bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've been running
again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running two half-marathons
in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner that
everybody passes.

Could this be an issue of you going out too fast or starting too near
the front?

Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12 miles at

Quoted message said:

about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me.

Well, it's a lot faster than me and longer distance, and I'm a few years
younger without bypass surgery 😉 And I don't let that bother me. I'm in
it for the challenge and fun, not the speed. Your goals may be different.

The only time I can

Quoted message said:

break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing half-mile or one-mile
intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give up running even though I
love it.

If you run because you love it, why would you ever consider stopping?
Forget about the watch and pacing.

For some of us, running is much more than doing races. Some people run
to race, and others, like myself, may do events to see different trails
(and eventually other parts of state) or to see how well I can run the
event (=well enough prepared to not be excessively sore for too many days).

Also, consider your health history. Just being out there running is much
more than many people do, even without bypass surgery. Don't expect
6:50 paces based on your time 20+ years ago. Live and run in the present.

And if you want to get faster (not sure if that's your goal or not), you
can build long runs or add some fartlek or tempo runs as you're able.

Quoted message said:

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement.

Just keep keeping on! You've got your goals and interests and keep
working towards them. Good luck!

Dot

--
"Success is different things to different people"
-Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

damn great comments BJ
have you ever run the cowtown marathon??=)) are you sure you are not the
one that kicked my *ss the 1st time i ran it ?? That was so
depressing!!! you inspire my to put effort into my runs
plodzilla

bj said:

"TerrySquier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, all. I used to run back in the early eighties and was running about

ten miles a day at a 6:50 pace. In the late nineties I allowed myself to
get out of shape by gaining up to around 240 pounds. In 2001 I had a heart
attack and bypass surgery and subsequently lost about fifty pounds. I've
been running again for about two years. In fact, I'm going to be running
two half-marathons in the next month. I'll be 61 in November.

Quoted message said:

However, although I feel great, I've now developed into a very slow runner

that everybody passes. Most of the time I'm running my long runs of 8-12
miles at about a 12-minute pace. This seems very, very slow to me. The
only time I can break a 10-minute mile is when I'm running hard doing
half-mile or one-mile intervals. Sometimes I feel like I just should give
up running even though I love it.

Quoted message said:

Anybody out there that has a similar problem or can offer me some words of
encouragement. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone. My email address is
[email hidden].

Thanks, all. Terry

I'm slow, & about your age (61 in Jan.). I'm also diabetic & a cancer
survivor. I have no trouble running (jogging) at the back of the pack at
maybe an 11min/mile pace -- and I haven't been "last" yet, though I've come
pretty close. I recently came in ahead of an 80+yr man and a 9yr old girl.
So what if they were the only ones I "beat"? I did the run, which not a lot
of women my age can (though a number of them -- even several years older --
can leave me in their dust).

I really don't care how many people pass me. And some of them are even
younger guys who go out too fast, whiz by me early on, & I pass *them* as
they are *walking* later on! I've also been passed just before the finish
line -- by a guy who apparently didn't want a female to beat him -- he said,
as he went by, that I was his target; I knew it & told him so, but didn't
care -- but if I'd had any kick left I sure would've used it after that
remark!

I'm not up to 1/2 marathon distances -- my most ambitions plan is a 10miler
next month. If I crack 2hrs I'll be surprised. I seem to getting slower
rather than faster over the past few months! And my training is limited by
how much my body can take -- the legs/ankles/knees are only up to so much,
though my lungs & spirit are ready for more. It can take several days for me
to recover from more than 6 miles or so -- I have to cut back to walks.

I know a man who is a few years younger than I am, has had a heart
attack & is also diabetic; he runs about my pace or slower, and has done a
couple of 1/2's. I think he uses a heart rate monitor a lot of the time. He
certainly doesn't worry about coming in at the end.

Just enjoy what you are doing, don't worry about "what people think" or
about "what I used to do" or "what other people are doing". Run your own
race or training, for your own reasons, in whatever way is comfortable &
suitable for you. Even if it means taking walk breaks (but you can disguise
some of those by doing them around water stations, heh heh!).

Jogging around the neighborhood, I occasionally get jerk comments -- but
I've never gotten any guff from actual runners either on the street or in a
race. And the people finishing late in a race get cheers too -- the earlier
finishers know how much effort it's taking!
bj

"gentolm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

damn great comments BJ
have you ever run the cowtown marathon??=))

Hell no. I haven't even done that 10miler yet!
And I'm having a few days "off" as I got too tired from doing too much/too
fast/for too long. And, wouldn't you know it, we're having a nice stretch of
lovely post-Ivan weather here!

*IF* I crack 2 hrs for 10 miles, I'll be surprised!
And I'll be even more surprised if a week later I crack 1 hr for 8k,
considerin' how wiped out I get just doing a long (for me) training run!
bj

well I also run 11-12 minute miles. I don't think it's very fast, neither is
it anything to be ashamed of. I'm 35-40 pounds overweight, 50 years old, a
somewhat accomplished weightlifter but otherwise no real athletic background.

remember that slogan from your youth, if it feels good, do it? Well, if it
feels good, do it. cheers, [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

well I also run 11-12 minute miles. I don't think it's very fast, neither is
it anything to be ashamed of.

I agree! All that matters anyway is how long you run for, not how far. You
should be proud just to be out there doing something.