What's a -good- time?

I've been running a little bit lately.  On the road my record for 3.1 miles (5k) was 29 minutes.  I started running on the treadmill in my garage at a 1.0 incline on account of it being so hot out here (and it's easier to motivate myself to just run it) and got down to 27 and maybe 15 seconds?  Can't quite recall.

Anyway, I actually have two questions.  I want to start running marathons.  Well- not marathons.  Not 26 miles.  I'll start with a 5k.  So is this a decent time?  And if not, what is?

Secondly, is running on the treadmill giving me the same workout + practice?  Every time I start to improve, I'm worried I might be fooling myself and doing something wrong, heh.  I mean, I cannot run 5k straight.  i run fairly fast for at least a mile and a half to two miles and then switch between speed walking and jogging/running.

hey looseymoosey, 

That is a great time! Your standards change as you get faster. I ran a 5k a few months ago and now I don't consider my time "good." But after I finished I was proud. It's all relative. 

I definitely think you should sign up for a race! Instead of running really fast for a little while then walking, why don't you try to start out with a slower pace? It's good to mix speedwork with normal running, but I wouldn't suggest only doing the fast/slow thing. 

And as far as the treadmill goes, why not run outside? I don't know, I just hate treadmills haha. I get terribly bored, even if I'm watching TV or something. Plus fresh air is good for ya :) anyway, yes, running outside is different from running on a treadmill. I always run faster on the treadmill, so your times might not match up either. 

Anyway, good luck with everything and definitely keep it up!!! :)

Here's my thoughts...

1. Great job on getting the runs in!  That in itself is a good thing!
2. Unless you're competing to try to win, I don't think there's such a thing as a "good time" when comparing to other people.  I'd suggest comparing your times to your previous times, and being happy with improvement.
3. Running on a treadmill can still be good training, but it's not the same as road running.  If you're actually going to race, you'll want to do more road training.
4. I would stop worrying about your time, and work on running a consistent pace for the entire distance.
5. I've never been a runner, and started a "Learn To Run" clinic back in June 2009.  Since then, I've run 3 5k races.  My best time (on the last one) was 27:53.  Keep in mind I'm also a 42 year old guy... I'm happy with my times so far, and I'm placing in the top third (estimated) at the last two races.  But the second last race only had 35 people in it. :)  However, the winners are running times around the 20 minute mark... So I've got a long ways to go.
6. If you're going to continue on the treadmill, try varying the incline.  Keep it at 1% for most of the run (approximately equivalent to flat road running), but a few times on a run crank the incline up (2%+) for 400m, and then drop it back down to 0 or -1% (if your treadmill can do it).  This will simulate going up and down a hill.
7. Keep things sensible... Start with planning/preparing for a 5k race.  Then 10k.  Then a half.  Then think about the full.  For me, I'm planning on doing my first half about 1 year after I started running.  Part of this will depend on your time goal, though.  If you just want to finish the race (no time goal), you can likely accelerate that.    But you still want to take it at reasonable paces.

Just my $0.02 (Canadian).  BTW, I'm jealous of the temps!  I've already done runs at 5 degrees below freezing (10 below with windchill). And 2"+ of snow. :(  AND I've had to do 3 runs inside, because it was too nasty to run outside!

Clint

Only Canadian cents?  That hardly adds up too my two cents, ;)

Anywhozille, I was just curious.  The treadmill question I was more concerned with.  I can run at around6 or so, when the temp cools, but it's hard to get motivated after sitting around for so long, heh.  And the humidity especially is what kills me!

here's the thing with a more consistent but slower pace: i just can't seem to do it.  it's like my head just measures what I do by time and not exertion.  No matter if my first mile is 10 minutes or eight and a half, I am dead as I turn around at the end of my road (the halfway point).  I was pretty proud of myself the last time I ran on my road when I didn't start walking as soon as I hit that mark.

But I found a race November 21 and the weather was downright chilly today!  Well, chilly by Florida standards.  So once swim season ends (which might be mid-week, if I remember correctly), I'll try and run on the road.  Here's another question.  How often should I run?

From treadmill to Olympics

Hey I live in southern louisiana where the humidity is out of control as well. Luckily, I think we've moved into fall (I'm crossing my fingers!!) but if it's still hot in florida, then yeah you'll just have to either go early in the morning or in the evening. 

I started out running 3 days a week...3 or 4 miles each. THen I upped it when I felt really strong. It really depends on what your goals are. You can look it up training plans for 5ks or 10ks online. Right now I'm training for a marathon so I'm using a plan I found online. 

Good luck!!

Well, the Canadian dollars coming up to par again... So there. :)

Here's some more thoughts...

1. You have an advantage with a treadmill.  You can use that to set a slower pace, and then gradually increase the time you run that pace.  For example, if you can do 20 minutes now without stopping at whatever pace, try dropping your pace by 15 seconds per mile, and run an extra minute without stopping.  Each run, trying increasing the time running continuously by another minute.  That will give you a concrete target each time.
2. With regards to how often, that's another individual question.  For my first 2 months, I was running 3 times a week.  Making sure to take a day off in between runs.  Then I started adding a 2 consecutive days once a week.  Now I'm doing 3 or 4 days, then a day off.  But you have to pay attention to your body!  If it says you need a rest day, don't feel bad about taking it.
3. Try adding one long run per week.  If you can, try running it with 10 minutes running, one minute walking (repeating till you get your distance).  Gradually increase the distance for that run up by maybe 1 kilometer per week.
4. I'm working with a coach right now to prepare me for a half marathon.  He's had me step back from trying to push fast on my weekly runs to running slower than I would have imagined I could.  Increasing my mileage by about 10% per week.  The point is to improve the way your body processes fuel/oxygen over extended periods.  And I'm seeing the benefits of this, as I'm running faster in my races without trying as hard as I did before.
5. You definately want to get some road time in before your race, and not just the week before. 

Clint

looseymoose - personally finishing the race in ANY time is a good time...(my opinion).  I have been running short and long distances while in the Army (23 years) and for the past 2 or 3 years I started training to participate in 10k races.  In the Army a 2 mile run "good time" for me was 7 minute miles...today I train for my run by doing 8 miles in an hour.  With that said I am also not 18 years old either...I am 51 years old so I am not the youngest guy out there but I hold my own lol

Bottomline:  Set a goal achieve it...then reset a new goal and go after it.  Each year I compete in the Massey Cancer 10K here in Richmond VA and each year I post a faster time.  I am hoping in March 2010 my time will be faster than last year...but if I finish the race I think thats what its all about for me (thats my personal goal).

Dave  

BTW all of my cardio training is done indoors on a treadmill.

The flying spaghetti monster must have heard my cries because, lo and behold, it got cool.  Not cold, but a good 10 degrees colder than last week.  So I went for a quick 2 mile run today (swimming practice was a bit harder today than usual).

And, yeah, I feel a little bad with the title asking what good time is, but my best motivator is my competitiveness, heh.

And thanks for all the advice!

No worries about the question or title!  But keep in mind that you're not likely to be "competitive" with the top runners for a while.  Worry about competing with yourself.  That's my advice, anyway.  But I keep saying I'm not competitive, but I hate getting passed, and can't wait for the results to get posted. :)

You could do some searching for some of the races around your area, and see if they've posted results from last year.  That might give you some targets that you can use.   Like "I wanna be in the top half".  Also, each race is different in terms of difficulty (terrain, etc).  And even if it's the same as last year, the weather can also make a difference.

Oh, and if you want to run 5k races, I'd advise running 8 to 10k in training.  If you want to run 10k, you'll want to run 12 to 15k at least some of the time.  Just my opinion.

Clint