As I said in the other thread, I just started running about six months ago(because of health concerns) and now I find that I actually enjoy it. When I finally got to where I could run a mile without stopping, I could do it in about 10 or 10.5 min. Yesterday, I ran on the track in the gym and did a mile in 7 min 5 sec. That's my personal best so far. I have worked really hard at it and have run hundreds of miles the past six months and I am proud of the improvement but I don't know if that is a good time or a lousy time. Keep in mind that I am kinda old(will be 53 my birthday). What is a good time for a man who is a novice to the sport and in his early fifties? Also, what is your personal best?

 

I have noticed also when I run a 5K distance, my pace starts to slow quite a bit toward the very end of the second mile. Right now, my times are in the upper 24 min range at 5K . I would love to get to below 24 min by spring or summer. What is considered a good 5K time for my age rage? Also, what is your personal best for 5K?

7 min and 5 seconds is an awesome time and if I can run a mile that quickly at 53 I'll be a happy dude.. You should be really proud of that!

 

I've never participated in a race, just always loved running after school/work to clear the mind so I can't answer the 5k. My personal best for a mile was in college when I was 21 and ran a 6:13 mile. That was 3 years ago though. Now I am probably around where your at but haven't timed myself on just a mile so I will this week.

 

As you increase your distance that mile time will definitely shrink when you go back and run a mile to time. When I ran mine, I was typically going 7-8 miles a run so that mile was really fun to do. I was also competing against two roommates so that helped.

 

There are some guys on here who are in great shape and compete in races so they may be better to ask. But I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find people around your age who can accomplish that mile time. Keep it up! :thumb:

It just depends on your level of being "in shape". I started running for the first time last year. I didn't really do a great deal of training and actually ran two 5K's after a full night of chasing neon rainbows. Those runs, I was just fooling around and probably averaged about 10 minutes per mile. During the summer last year, I completed an obstacle run and was a little more serious as it was a little more challenging (but a great deal of fun if you don't mind being all levels of nasty at the end).

 

This year, I'm going to be a serious runner and hope to complete a half triathlon in October.

 

Whether you are fooling around or being very serious, it's a great feeling to complete any of these races. I think 5K's are a lot of fun.

For your age and experience a 7:05 is really solid. I've never really timed myself in the mile but I am not much of a sprint runner. I hate 5Ks. My only goal was to break 20 minutes and I did a 19:55 a couple years ago and vowed to never do another. True to form I did another 5K this summer in just over 20 minutes. Distance wise I can hold a stronger pace for a long time. My last half marathon for example I did in 1:32 (7:07 pace). But at much under that pace I would have to work to complete a 5K without wanting to faint :lol2::

 

To improve your leg strength to avoid fatigue, go back to he track and do some Yasso 800s. Run 2 laps at your 5K pace, then recover for 1 lap at a "long jog" pace. Repeat 5-10 times.

Those times are awesome.

 

I think I've done miles in the low 6's before. My fastest 5K is a low 21 but that was a few years back. I pretty much do the Bourbon Chase and a couple of trail runs with my girlfriend (an ultra runner) and Mom. That's about it for me in running races. I'm more into triathlons and have recently started to do some swimming meets.

7 minutes is good for most anyone who isn't a "serious" runner. When I was in the Army and in supreme shape, when doing the 2 mile run for time my best time ever was right around 14 minutes. Of course at 6'5 230 pounds (at the time) I wasn't exactly built for long distance running. And this was when we ran PT most every morning when not in the field, anywhere from 2 to 7 miles, so I was in very good running shape. So yep, 7 minutes ain't bad at all.

I couldn't do a mile in seven minutes on my bike. :lol2:

7 min and 5 seconds is an awesome time and if I can run a mile that quickly at 53 I'll be a happy dude.. You should be really proud of that!

 

I've never participated in a race, just always loved running after school/work to clear the mind so I can't answer the 5k. My personal best for a mile was in college when I was 21 and ran a 6:13 mile. That was 3 years ago though. Now I am probably around where your at but haven't timed myself on just a mile so I will this week.

 

As you increase your distance that mile time will definitely shrink when you go back and run a mile to time. When I ran mine, I was typically going 7-8 miles a run so that mile was really fun to do. I was also competing against two roommates so that helped.

 

There are some guys on here who are in great shape and compete in races so they may be better to ask. But I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find people around your age who can accomplish that mile time. Keep it up! :thumb:

 

 

Thank you. That is very encouraging. Running doesn't come easy for me. I'm sure my age is a big reason why. Also, as I learn more about the sport and the science of running, I'm hoping to get better.

For your age and experience a 7:05 is really solid. I've never really timed myself in the mile but I am not much of a sprint runner. I hate 5Ks. My only goal was to break 20 minutes and I did a 19:55 a couple years ago and vowed to never do another. True to form I did another 5K this summer in just over 20 minutes. Distance wise I can hold a stronger pace for a long time. My last half marathon for example I did in 1:32 (7:07 pace). But at much under that pace I would have to work to complete a 5K without wanting to faint :lol2::

 

To improve your leg strength to avoid fatigue, go back to he track and do some Yasso 800s. Run 2 laps at your 5K pace, then recover for 1 lap at a "long jog" pace. Repeat 5-10 times.

 

 

Thank you. I will try that. I need the leg strength for sure.

If you can break 8 minutes on a mile you're running at a pretty solid pace. Averaging 7 minutes on more than one mile means you're in really really good shape. As someone who is just beginning to run and isn't in horrible shape a 10 minute mile pace is completely acceptable, but not great.

I did a 7 minute mile at 40. Haven't tried the post 50 run yet.

In HS I was not a very good runner but my senior year ran a 5:05 mile in the mile, but when I ran the 2 mile race later in the day my 1 mile split was actually quicker.

If you can break 8 minutes on a mile you're running at a pretty solid pace. Averaging 7 minutes on more than one mile means you're in really really good shape. As someone who is just beginning to run and isn't in horrible shape a 10 minute mile pace is completely acceptable, but not great.

 

 

I hope to be able to average 7 min over two miles sometime in the near future, but I am no where near there yet. Maybe as I do some more focused workouts I can make some significant progress in my two mile time.

I hope to be able to average 7 min over two miles sometime in the near future, but I am no where near there yet. Maybe as I do some more focused workouts I can make some significant progress in my two mile time.

Start doing some intervals, like the Yasso 8's that bugatti mentioned and you'll be there in no time flat.

 

This is the plan I typically follow and it has some great interval workouts in it:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Runners-World-Faster-3-Run---Week/dp/1609618025/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421253060&sr=1-1&keywords=run+less+run+faster&pebp=1421253081580&peasin=1609618025

My best 5k is just under 21:00 but that was about 6 years ago and I was about 20lbs lighter. My best mile on the road is around 6:40 last year, by best on a treadmill is 6:00. Put it on 10MPH and just tried not to fall off.

 

If you want to improve your 5K time intervals is the only way to go. To add to what bugs already said, one that I like...go 1 min above race pace, 1 min jog. Repeat for a total of 8 rounds. Increase intensity the next time. Also do hill sprints. Find a pretty decent hill, sprint to the top, walk back down. Repeat 8 or 10 times.

I am 55 now and a couple of years ago at your current age of 53, I decided to see if I could get to a 6 minute mile, sort of a personal challenge. I am an athletic daily workout guy, low handicap golfer, etc. After a 2-3 months of effort, I did it in almost your exact time of 7 minutes. Unfortunately, about that time I got a cold, it was Christmas and I backed off my training efforts. So 7 minutes was my best, not sure if I could have ever got to 6 minutes at my age. Based on my personal experience(and I am a complete running novice), I know the effort you have made to get to where you are now. I would give you a 2 thumbs up. :ylsuper: