I know people always say you'll get faster, and I have even heard people say that time is too slow. I don't listen to anyone but my own body. I have been running for a year now. I started not being able to run for a few minutes without being exhausted. I used the couch to 5k program and a year later I'm ready to run a 1/2 marathon in a month. I have already gotten up to 11 miles and know I can go farther. That is a huge accomplishment! But at the same time I have NEVER gotten faster. I have averaged about a 12:30 mile since the very beginning. I know I'm not fast and I will never win the races I compete in, but for me its never been about speed but just doing it. I will say on short runs (like 5k) I am naturally a little bit faster without having ever tried to be that way. But in my opinion its not about that. I say good job to you for even being a runner!

"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everyone on the couch." - Unknown.

I'm a beginner like you.  Don't worry, you will find that on race day you will run much faster than you do every day.  The adrenaline, the competition, the excitement all make you run faster (at least for a 5k).  Because of that, a word of caution:  don't start too fast.  Run your 13 minute pace for the first mile, then pick it up if you feel okay.  The best way not to finish is to run way too fast at the start.  Remember, for the first 2 years, finishing a race is a win!!!!

No, you're not the slowest penguin ever.  I'm pretty slow myself.  I just started running about 3 months ago.  I did my first 5K after about 2 months, and I ran it in 44 minutes, and it wasn't even a real 5K.  The signage fell down so people started turning around before they were supposed to.  The race ended up being about 2.6 miles and THAT took me 44 minutes!  It was about a 17-minute mile.  My second 5K there were only about 25 registered for and they were all seasoned runners who left me in the dust after the first 5 yards!  I ran hard because I wanted to see if I could keep up with them.  I finished in 37 minutes, but I was dead last.  I was just so happy to run it in under 40 minutes that I didn't care that I was in dead last.  The rest of the runner were already home enjoying their coffee when I finished!  There was a woman in the race who was strolling along talking on her cell phone, and SHE beat me!!  It's humbling to be running and get passed by somebody walking.  I've learned that endurance is the most important.  Get your endurance up where you can comfortably run 5 miles no matter how slowly, then worry about speed.  But you don't even really need to worry about speed.  You're naturally get faster as you get in better shape.  Weight training helps I think because the stronger your legs are, the faster they'll carry you. 

you are not the slowest ever! i have been 'running' on and off for the last 3 and a half years, and i 'run' about 13 min mile. on my home treadmill i do a 5k in about 40 mins, about 45 mins on the road, and can get it down to 37mins in the gym (super new shiny treadmills that dont require as much effort to run). i always feel inadequate, but then i think "well, its better than sitting on my butt all day"!

i did a 5k race this summer (my second ever) and broke all expectations and ran it in 34 mins, even though i walked a bit (hilly grassy terrain). i was so proud i practically jumped up and down!

quickly got knocked off my high by a friend who is a new runner and can do 5k in 30mins easily but then i though, no, i still did well, so forget them!

it doesnt matter how fast others go, i know its disheartening (a friend of mine has never run and is doing a marathon next year, she has just started and can do a 5k no trouble, whereas it took me 4 months to train), but everyone is built differently, and the fact that you're doing something that is hard proves you have both mental and physical strength, so plod on!!!

as for slogans - i love my tshirt i got in freshers week at uni (totally not running related merchandise) that says "i'm busy, you're ugly, have a nice day"

This is refreshing reading but if some of you are going at a snail's pace, I must be a slug.    I KNOW I can walk faster than I can run but I hope that will change in the coming months.

My training run/walks have me at 19:00 - 19:30/min mile.  I was going a tiny bit faster but have started running with an eye on my heart rate.  I must be more out of shape than I thought.  I'm doing a 5K next saturday and hope to finish under 50 mins (under 40 would be too awesome for words!).  I'm trying not to think about the 10k I'm slated to do in November - must have been feeling ambitious when I signed up for that one.

Keep on moving!

Dawn

It makes me happy to see I have such good penguin company. I run for fitness but I save my grueling workouts for my other love (boxing). I like to enjoy the scenery and the fresh air while I'm running. While I keep a good workout pace (for me), I get to enjoy the outdoors even longer by being a penguin runner.

i can't thank you guys enough for this thread.  even if no one is reading it anymore. i sure hope there are some penguins out there reading this though, because I am smiling.  I just did a walk/run of a 5k today and managed 55:36.  but in that 55 minutes i ran 7 minutes.  Of course I am using the term RAN very loosely.  thanks for making my day.  and even though it seems i really am the slowest of the slow, at least i am off the couch.

Abby,

You are not the only one reading this thread. It is a nice reminder that we are not alone and that there are plenty of other penquins who enjoy running.

I have a look at this thread and other "penguin" threads when I need some additional motivation to keep on moving in spite of my slow pace.