OP here. I just want to report that from when I posted this in May to now, my mile time has gone from 11:15 min/mile to 9:40 min/mile. So I think I'm on the way to a sub-30 min 5k!

Depends on the person. I started running last year and have never run a 5k race but would feel good about finishing that distance in under 30min but would aim for 25 since it’s a shorter run.

My first race was a half marathon and that I just ran to finish as, for me, accomplishing that distance was a challenge in itself.

I like to set small goals like maybe no walk breaks or going to the tempo of my music and playing only fast music or finding somebody who is running at my pace and trying to stay with them.

During races/runs I'm normally not watching my times because that takes away from the fun of running but my best treadmill time on a 5k is 24 minutes, so I'd probably want to beat that, but I wouldn't expect to. If I just feel good during the run, I'll feel good afterwards.

I'm a pretty serious runner and I would say the great thing about running is that you compete against yourself. Just keep lining up and improving your time. Dont add too much mileage too fast or you'll get hurt. Just keep plugging along and your times will come down.

I'm 47 and just started running two months ago. I run a mile just under 13 minutes. I'm hoping to get down to 12 and eventually 10. Baby steps. I'm not competing against anyone but myself. I just want to be fit and have better endurance because my endurance my entire life has been terrible.

Anonymous wrote:Double the world record (WR) for any running distance has always been my goal. The women's 5K WR is 14:39, so anything under 29:18 is, by that standard, "good". If you want to use the age-graded WR, that's up to you.

That’s similar to mine! My goal is never to be lapped by the world record holder for double the distance (and to use the men’s record when I’m comfortably under the women’s).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any time that means you finished. My first 5k was so slow that they almost took down the markers but I finished and improved on it the next time. We can't all be DK Metcalf. Some of us just aren't that fast and that's ok too.

This 1000%

Just keep doing you. If you are pushing yourself hard enough that you are getting the cardio benefit out of it, who cares what your time is?

op here. I care! it’s fun to compete.

This doesn't really checkout. Otherwise you would know what a "good" time is and not be asking it on a generic diet/exercise board. I'm a runner and swimmer, and I know for every event what an average, good and excellent time are - because I like to compete. Know yourself.

umm ... ok?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any time that means you finished. My first 5k was so slow that they almost took down the markers but I finished and improved on it the next time. We can't all be DK Metcalf. Some of us just aren't that fast and that's ok too.

This 1000%

Just keep doing you. If you are pushing yourself hard enough that you are getting the cardio benefit out of it, who cares what your time is?

op here. I care! it’s fun to compete.

Are you aiming to compete against yourself? Just try to beat your last time every time you run another 5K.

19 minutes flat.

Good for me would be 30 minutes. Good for some of my running friend would be 22 minutes. It depends on the runner.


I will say you probably need to run more than 2 days a week to get faster. I typically run 2-3 days a week, with the average being closer to 2. When i was running 4 days a week last spring my now 11-11.5 min mile was more like a 10 min mile with some miles at 9:30.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any time that means you finished. My first 5k was so slow that they almost took down the markers but I finished and improved on it the next time. We can't all be DK Metcalf. Some of us just aren't that fast and that's ok too.

This 1000%

Just keep doing you. If you are pushing yourself hard enough that you are getting the cardio benefit out of it, who cares what your time is?

op here. I care! it’s fun to compete.

This doesn't really checkout. Otherwise you would know what a "good" time is and not be asking it on a generic diet/exercise board. I'm a runner and swimmer, and I know for every event what an average, good and excellent time are - because I like to compete. Know yourself.

Double the world record (WR) for any running distance has always been my goal. The women's 5K WR is 14:39, so anything under 29:18 is, by that standard, "good". If you want to use the age-graded WR, that's up to you.

Time doesn't matter at all. No such thing as a good time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any time that means you finished. My first 5k was so slow that they almost took down the markers but I finished and improved on it the next time. We can't all be DK Metcalf. Some of us just aren't that fast and that's ok too.

This 1000%

Just keep doing you. If you are pushing yourself hard enough that you are getting the cardio benefit out of it, who cares what your time is?

op here. I care! it’s fun to compete.

I spent 3 months jogging/running 3-4 times a week from July-October (I'm 36/F) and mine was about 39 minutes!

I'm also 5'3 with short legs and chubby. Even in high school when they would make us run a mile I wouldn't be able to break 10.

I was able to do it once in my 20s when I was running really regularly, I ran like a 9:45 minute mile for a little while. But I could only ever run one at that pace.

It really is all relative and how your body is built/what your strengths are. I am in the top 8% of every peloton class I take, but still can't get less than maybe 37 minute running 5k.