How far have you come?

TheRunningDude

I'm just wondering what people's slowest and fastest official times for are for any particular race that correctly represented your fitness at the time (by that, I mean discounting injuries or other reasons for a slow time)? I suppose I'm asking about your adult times also (for those early starters).

For example, my slowest 5k is 23:30 a few years ago and my fastest is a not much improved 21:30 this year.

I suppose I'm trying to gauge whether the fast guys have always been fast or has anybody gone from 30:00 to 15:00 for a 5k.

walshb

Aged 20 and fit as a fiddle I was running a 5 min 20 mile. I am 6 mins now aged 36.

I still have to clock my 5 K. I am hopeful for a sub 20.

TheRunningDude

walshb wrote: »

Aged 20 and fit as a fiddle I was running a 5 min 20 mile. I am 6 mins now aged 36.

I still have to clock my 5 K. I am hopeful for a sub 20.

I could rename the thread 'How far have you come (or how far have you fallen)?' :P

robinph

I've gone from a 44 minute 10k to a 36:30 in the last few years since running properly, and should be going low 36 on the right day soon with any luck.

RayCun

Started running almost 3 years ago, and it's been a steady progression since then.
5k December 2009 - 29 minutes March 2012 - 19.18
5 mile Jan 2010 - 46.34 May 2012 - 31.17

menoscemo

I started running in 2009, and after 9 months training I did my first marathon (DCM) in 4hrs 15. My latest marathon took 3hrs 10 and I am hoping to go sub 3 in the Autumn...

robinph

The biggest improvement you will ever get is when you realise that you can go faster than just jogging round at a comfortable pace which you know you can finish the distance at. When you start trying to race and are not sure if you can hold the starting pace until the end, because you've not run like that before, you will knock loads off the times.

Gringo78

45min 10k / 80min 10 mile in 2008 down to 36min 10k / 60min 10mile in 2010. Going backwards since though (although lately have been moving in the right direction again...I hope)

Agree with Robinph.....racing is the key. It resets the central governor.

oldrunner

33 min (approx) 5 mile in 1981 to 24:52 5 mile in 1989 to 27:44 5 mile in 2012

pemtca

Started running in March 2011. My first 5k in April 2011 was just under 30mins. Got it down to 23.12 in April 2012. First 10k was 55.13 in June 2011, got it down to 50.09 in October 2011 - haven't run a 10k since, but hope to go sub 50 in the women's mini-marathon in June.

BeepBeep67

5k spread
1984 - 15:48
1995 - 20:04
1997 - 16:16
2007 - 22:50
2011 - 17:40
Long non running gaps between the highs and lows

TFBubendorfer

2004: 4:06 marathon (followed by a 4:36 in 2005)
2011: 2:59 marathon

to be continued

robinph

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

5k spread
1984 - 15:48
1995 - 20:04
1997 - 16:16
2007 - 22:50
2011 - 17:40
Long non running gaps between the highs and lows

About 4 minutes per 5km improvement within a couple of years of starting to run "properly" again each time. Matches my numbers for the 10km which is my most raced distance.

To get more time off you need to get more serious about it though.

pconn062

Started running as a child but stopped when I was about 14. Took it up again in 2008 and ran my first 10k in about 1hr and 6 minutes. My PB is now 39:17 from the K club in April and I'm targeting 38:XX on the first of July.

rom

Ran in my early teens and have munster schools winners team medals U-14 two years in a row. Probably just making up the number and not the best on the team. Annoyed that I gave up running when a team mate who was probably the 3/4 best in the team has run 2hr 3x marathon. I was being trained to hate the sport rather than love it. Trained for results rather than a future. Dragged out by my wife to go for a run about 2 years ago to run 2.5 miles. It nearly killed me. Was doing martial arts and thought I was fit but I was no where near. had to stop a few times and barely made it home before my wife (she would never leave it down ). So since then I have took to it and got really serious about it this year and have averaged 40+ miles a week so far. Want to run till and on the day I die now . Lost 2.5 stone so far. Need to lose another one over the summer to get some real speed in those legs. Running has changed my life. I would post on that thread the before and after but I am not at the after place just yet.

Mallow 10 - March 2011 - 81 mins
Ballycotton 10 - March 2012 - 71 mins

Bay Run 1/2 May 2011 - 1hr 58mins
Cork City 1/2 June 2011 - 1hr 51mins
Cork City 1/2 - Monday week - ???

DCM Oct 2011 4hrs 27mins 8'(
DCM Oct 2011 bring it on

5K March 2011 (first race) 23mins 10 (feel going sub 20 would be defo doable now)

1 Mile time now 5min 44 into a very strong wind in a straight line course. Looking forward to the goal mile at xmass to knock lots of time off this.

Much credit to excellent coaching.

Pisco Sour

After finished the Rotterdam marathon in a not so sensational 4:07 in April 2010, I got bored of distance running. A few months later after being in Barca and watching Derval win silver I got inspired to get down to the track and try out a few time trials. I ran a high 67 for 400m off absolutely no training. A week later I ran 66.2 with spikes, but still as a time trial. I went away travelling then, and got to Melbourne a few months later and joined a club. I arrived at the tail end of the season and pissed around a bit. I did train, but not consistently or very effectively. I got one 400 race in and ran 63.9 hand timed to win a race (64.04 to adjust for hand timing).

Last season I took things seriously and got my time down to 58.68 and ran under 60 on 5 occasions. I'm hoping to take close to another 3 seconds off it next season and get below 56.

dna_leri

23:04 for 5k at start of 2008 after 20 years of inactivity
16:50 recently

G-Money

Still improving myself I guess and I've a long way to go. I ran the Dunboyne 4 mile race last year and it took me about 56 minutes. My training has been very inconsistent since then but about 6 weeks ago I started back training properly, 4 times a week most weeks and I can now cover 4 miles in about 51 minutes without really putting in any deliberate effort to do so. I just go along at what feels comfortable and I sometimes stop paying attention and all of sudden realise I'm going faster than I have done before.

By other people's standards, I'm slow and I've a long way to go. Perhaps it's just me being naive or stupid, but I kind of believe the only limits on my ultimate performance are those which I set in my head.

TheRunningDude

dna_leri wrote: »

23:04 for 5k at start of 2008 after 20 years of inactivity
16:50 recently

Great running. There's hope for me yet!

Clearlier

2:00:48 for the Dublin half marathon in 2008
1:27:11 for the Bath half marathon in 2011

I think that there's a fair bit of improvement left yet if I can get over this injury.

Itziger

Got back into running about 4 or 5 years ago after a little 25 year break (from 16 to 41). Don't have times from my teen years but my 10 k has gone from 50 to 38 in my adult renaissance. Half has gone from 1.36 to 1.27 and marathon is still a work in progress. Both efforts have been screwed by severe cramps leading to 3.32 and 3.25 times. That should (will!!!) come down. Fast approaching 47 so improvement in distances like 10 and half won't be huge now I guess. That said, every one of my 6 half marathons has been a pb. How cool is that. As have my 4 or 5 10k races. I don't do many 10k races me.

Overall I'm happy. I'm fitter and have lost about 12 or 13 kilos. When the times dry up, I'll set different goals and just enjoy it. By then the kids might be running too.

corkrunner71

Started in 2006 and did 1st few races

Ballycotton 10 miler 2006 in 1hr 20mins 55sec
Dublin Marathon in 3hr 48mins 19sec

Dungarvan 10 miler 2012 in 1hr 02mins 24sec
Dublin Marathon 2011 in 3hr 09mins 50sec

opus

Started running towards the end of '09 (no previous running whatsoever) training for the Cork marathon in June '10 which I finished in ~3:27.

Fast forward to this year & I managed the VLM in just under 2:55.

For a shorter distance, the first time I timed myself running 5k it was ~30 mins which has now come down to 18:40 last time I did a race.

Not confident I can really improve the marathon time much more so going to see about trying some longer distances next year.

pconn062

opus wrote: »

Started running towards the end of '09 (no previous running whatsoever) training for the Cork marathon in June '10 which I finished in ~3:27.

Fast forward to this year & I managed the VLM in just under 2:55.

For a shorter distance, the first time I timed myself running 5k it was ~30 mins which has now come down to 18:40 last time I did a race.

Not confident I can really improve the marathon time much more so going to see about trying some longer distances next year.

Would you consider going down in distances and seeing what you could do over 5k or 10k, just a question. 18:40 is a good time for 5k, with a 2.55 marathon sub 18 5k should be no problem to you.

thirstywork2

Started running at an early age.Was very poor at track running but decent enough at cross country.
Pb's underage

800m 2.12 1500m 4.27 3k 9.28 2k steeple 6.28 5k 17.50

Put on weight (14 half-15stone)
went training away for3months and came back (2003) 55.12 for 10miles
got injured week after.

2004 same old story:train for 6-8 weeks and ran 34mins for10k and then injured after.

2004:spent the year in Ozz and got into best shape but injured week before I raced.Ran a few relay races.

2005:heart issue and told tostop running.resting heart rate 16-20 bpm.ECG records gap of 7.2 seconds between beats.
packed in my job as fitness instructor as over doing the training.



2006:good winter training pb 5k 15.43 track pb 2.00.81 (800m) 4.09 1500m half marathon pb 75.41 off 35miles a week.
2007/2008 just tipped away training.Very busy as started to manage my first running store.couple of duathlons.
2009/2010 some hill running
2011:New club/5k 15.59 10k 33.13 half 76.xx
2012:Great 4 months training,injured and overweight.Another comeback with a view to running well in Dublin marathon.

pemtca

pemtca wrote: »

Started running in March 2011. My first 5k in April 2011 was just under 30mins. Got it down to 23.12 in April 2012. First 10k was 55.13 in June 2011, got it down to 50.09 in October 2011 - haven't run a 10k since, but hope to go sub 50 in the women's mini-marathon in June.

Just updating this - did the mini marathon yesterday in 47.50 - delighted!

Oct 2011
Valentia Half Marathon - 1.42
Dublin City Marathon - 3.59
Delighted with both as first was sub 8 min miles, and sub 4 hours in first marathon

May/June 2012
Bandon Half Marathon - 1.36
Cork City Marathon - 3.28

Though only started running about 2 years back so guess its inevitable that the upward curve might be steep and times are tumbling.

I've worked it out and if I keep improving by a half hour per marathon, I smash the world record on my 5th outing...:)

huskerdu

Took up running in December 08 for the third time in my life.

June 2009 10K - 61 min
Sept 2009 ITB injury which was the start of 9 months of frustration - Took to reading about running here and elsewhere and learnt a lot about core strength and proper training plans.

June 2010 -Finally Back running, aiming to break 60 minutes for 10K, but no ambition to run further.

March 2011 - 5K - 23.38
Aug 2011 - 10K - 50.07
Sept 2011 - Half Marathon 1.56

Not expecting PBs to tumble this year, but I'd love to knock a bit off the Half Marathon time

rom

1hr 38 in Cork half. Not far enough. Hoping joining a club will sort the mental side out as it what let me down on the day.

Krusty_Clown

First 10k in 2007: 51:45
First marathon in 2008: 3:25

Last few weeks:
10k in 35:31
Marathon in 2:46

Life begins at 40!

corny

thirstywork2 wrote: »

2005:heart issue and told tostop running.resting heart rate 16-20 bpm.ECG records gap of 7.2 seconds between beats.

Jesus:eek: Thats incredible.

tHE vAGGABOND

Start running just over 2 years ago as part of an epic weight loss drive [lost 6 stone]. I had previously never ran a step in my life.

Recently did Paris Marathon in 3.46, a 22 min improvement over [injury affected] Dublin Marathon 2011.

No point in listing many of my other PB's as I think I am in form to beat many of them after a great winters work and some good training over last while....if I get a bleedin weekend away from work/travelling to actually do a race or two

shels4ever

Started running when I was about 12 and wasn't any good but after a couple of years became an ok runner, usually in the top end of the feilds in under age events. A few good run over XC in Leinster school are still my best runs.
Manages a few ok pb's back then a few sub 4:30 1500's and 2'10 800's, never ran as well over 3k but did bag a sub 10 that I doubt i'd beat.
Colleage and a knee injury put a stop to running , well main reason was drink, food and parties.
Made a come back in Raheny 5 in 2008 and it took 50 mins :eek: , have been injured on and off since then. Got the 5 mile time back down to about 35 mins and 5k of 20:30, 2 mile 12:34.
Have had a good few week training and ran 13:00 for 2 miles a couple of weeks ago, but the new goal is getting sub 12 by september.

smmoore79

Never really ran before 2008 but was roped into doing a 5 mile fun run by 2 work mates, 1 a hurler so fit enough and the other was a girl who went to the gym almost every day. Was pretty worried at the time as I didnt want to get whipped by both! The strategy was to run with the hurler and hang on for as long as possible. After the 3rd mile the hurlers cousin said 'jayz yer man is still keepin up, I thought ya said he wasnt fit?!'. After mile 4 I felt ok and got bored with their pace so I upped the ante and finished a minute ahead!! The next day I was called Haile at the office

So my first 5 miler was 35 minutes, then I did a 10k in 42 minutes. Now after getting more into running Ive recently run a 26 49 5 mile race. And last weekend ran a very hilly 10k in 34 12 which Im pretty sure I'll knock down again soon

thirstywork2

So my first 5 miler was 35 minutes, then I did a 10k in 42 minutes. Now after getting more into running Ive recently run a 26 49 5 mile race. And last weekend ran a very hilly 10k in 34 12 which Im pretty sure I'll knock down again soon [/QUOTE]


very impressive,I take it you joined a club?

smmoore79

thirstywork2 wrote: »

So my first 5 miler was 35 minutes, then I did a 10k in 42 minutes. Now after getting more into running Ive recently run a 26 49 5 mile race. And last weekend ran a very hilly 10k in 34 12 which Im pretty sure I'll knock down again soon

very impressive,I take it you joined a club?[/Quote]

Yep, sure did and my times started to drop as a result.

pauldoo

Started running a bit more serious the last few months and have done a few races. I have a 6km track near my house,my best was 33.48 4 months ago,did it tonight in 24.38

Did 10km in 41.55 a few weeks ago,how would you guys go about getting that under 40

Clearlier

pauldoo wrote: »

Started running a bit more serious the last few months and have done a few races. I have a 6km track near my house,my best was 33.48 4 months ago,did it tonight in 24.38

Did 10km in 41.55 a few weeks ago,how would you guys go about getting that under 40

Keep doing whatever it is you're doing. That's a phenomenal improvement in just 4 months. Come back and ask questions when you plateau and we'll try to give you some ideas.

Gambas

Started running in January, ran a 5miler in 49min at the end of Feb and another in 37:30 last week.

I figure that by just doing what I'm doing I'll continue to slash nearly 12 mins off every 4 months and I'll be able to do 5 miles in about a minute and a half in about about a years time. That's how it works, right?

DublinDilbert

Started running in early Jan 2007 having never ran before, my aim was to get fit and maybe run a 10KM race. I would be embarrassed to even say how far I ran that first night (it was that bad )

I spent most of 2007 slowly building up to 10Km on the treadmill (5 mins at at time). My first run was the GIR in 2008 (55mins), it felt great i'd achieved what I wanted to. But that week I went out and ran 10KM 3 more times. It seemed like a very big leap up to marathon distance, but decided to give Dublin ago, so done the 2008 race series and 2008 DCM. First marathon wasn't my finest moment, but got to the finish line, saying i'll never do that again.

For the first few years I would never really push my self in runs/races, it was more just to get around. This changed about 18months ago as the fitness & confidence levels increased dramatically.

Best so far:-
NCBI 10KM 2012 41mins
Waterford Half marathon 2011 1:35
Newry Full marathon 2012 3:32

Newry marathon was the most comfortable and enjoyable marathon of the 6 I've run, so definitely know there's a few minutes I can fairly easily strip off that one. With proper training and diet, I think i could be comfy doing 7.5 min miles over that distance, but we'll have to wait and see for that one.

Tec Diver

My first 5k was in March 2010 and it took me 31mins and a few seconds. I got my latest PB in Kells just over a month ago (in torrential rain) at 22:13. Hoping to get under 22mins in the next couple of months and close to 20mins this/next year.

neilc

1st marathon Dublin October 2009 - 4:50:14
5th marathon Connemara April 2012 - 3:21:13

Tec Diver

Tec Diver wrote: »

My first 5k was in March 2010 and it took me 31mins and a few seconds. I got my latest PB in Kells just over a month ago (in torrential rain) at 22:13. Hoping to get under 22mins in the next couple of months and close to 20mins this/next year.

Did the Bohermeen 5k on Sat, and got 21:59, well happy!

meijin

Started running end of May 2011 with self timed ~5k in 0:29:30 and same evening signed up for the whole race series and DCM. Started following a training plan from June (the plan started with 3 mile runs, so I just had to test if I can run that far :P).

• DCM 2011 - sub 4h
• Jingle Bells 5k - 0:21:3x

Didn't run first few months of this year as I was a bit sick with colds and chest infection, but getting back to it. Thinking about doing the race series again and 5k, but I will skip DCM this year.

ThePiedPiper

Did my first marathon in Oct 2005 in 3.36. Progressed steadily down to a 3.00.21 in April 2008. One quicker since that (2.58) and about 6 slower, usually in the range from 3.05-3.08 being failed sub-3 or sub 2.55 attempts or else just running them for the fun of it. Hopefully, a couple of decent months training will put me back in shape for a PB attempt in Autumn.

Ecoenergy

Ran with a club as a teenager and tried everything from cross country and steeple chase to pole vaulting. Too much of the good life during my 20's and no running brought my weight up to 16stone. Started running a few years back and managed the following for the Ballycotton 10:

2010 - 86mins
2011 - 76mins
2012 - 71mins

Down to 13 stone now but if I can get down another stone I hope to see more improvement.

ecoli

Have been running since I was a kid though most of my times for the longer races came when I had already a few years of running so not huge progressions:

1500m: 5.17 to 4.21
5k: 17.34 to 16.32
10k: 36.15 to 35.02

walshb

Did first proper 5 K time trial tonight. 18 mins 57 secs. What you think, guys?:)

pconn062

walshb wrote: »

Did first proper 5 K time trial tonight. 18 mins 57 secs. What you think, guys?:)

Pfft, knock three minutes off that and I'll be impressed! (Joke, that's a good time, did you run on your own? Could prob knock a bit off that in a race.)

walshb

pconn062 wrote: »

Pfft, knock three minutes off that and I'll be impressed! (Joke, that's a good time, did you run on your own? Could prob knock a bit off that in a race.)

Ran on my own. I have a friend who has a 16:52 PB over 5 K. I am sure he could pace me to knock off 10-20 seconds. It was tough tonight. Wouldn't fancy doing them runs too much. I recovered fairly well. Chest is grand now.

Inventive User Name

First 5km a couple of weeks ago, 18:02.

Hopefully I'll get in the mid 17's for the next one in a month or so with a more specific training plan ...