What do you consider "fast"

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > Just Running >

1 2 3 Previous Next Go to original post

corland14

117 posts since
Feb 7, 2006

15. May 12, 2007 5:37 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mochang:
To all of my non-running friends, I'm fast. I like that. <HR>

Today I'm running a 25k (15.5 miles). Goal is to average less then 8 min miles. Its probably not fast by a racers standard. However, compared to the 10 million people in my home state (MI), I'm in the top .5%. Thats gotta be fast!

AnyGivenSunday091

3 posts since
May 10, 2007

16. May 12, 2007 5:43 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

If we did not continue to redefine our definition of fast...
The race would be over....
And what fun would that be...

tuscaloosarunner

728 posts since
Apr 7, 2006

17. May 12, 2007 6:26 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Warpechowski:
Probabily not.

If I could do 5k in 20 minutes, I would probabily look forward to do 5k in 17.5 minutes. Then 15 minutes.

<HR>

That would be one **** of an improvement!

Seriously, this is an interesting, interesting thread. You know, here's something that I wonder: when you race, what has greater importance to you: time, place, both, or neither?

One thing I'm beginning to find as I get faster is that I place less emphasis on hitting splits, trying to get fast courses, etc., and more emphasis hanging with a pack of runners, surging, try to drop a runner, etc. When the latter happens, I almost "stop" hearing the splits and try to focus on race tactics.

Funny, my best races have happened when I pay attention to racing as opposed to time...coincidentally, I've also blown-up doing this as well.

But that's what's real fun: nothing is guaranteed in running...

PCmarathonmommy

61 posts since
Mar 9, 2006

18. May 12, 2007 5:19 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

You know it is funny. Last year I was running 9:30 miles and this year I am doing 8:30s. My friends that I used to run with last year won't run with me this year because I'm "too fast" but I don't think this is that fast. Maybe if I can keep that kind of pace for a whole marathon... I think people who can qualify for Boston are fast as far as marathons go. I don't have much experience with 5ks and pretty much everyone is faster than me :-P

tww9094

26 posts since
May 8, 2007

19. May 12, 2007 10:05 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

Fast is my former self who can easily beat my present self but I will do my best to run my former self down or fall out trying. **** me from 1983.....I will get him yet.

Warpechowski

51 posts since
Dec 13, 2006

20. May 14, 2007 11:04 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tuscaloosarunner:
That would be one **** of an improvement!

Seriously, this is an interesting, interesting thread. You know, here's something that I wonder: when you race, what has greater importance to you: time, place, both, or neither?
But that's what's real fun: nothing is guaranteed in running...<HR>

My oponent is always myself. I always try to become better and faster each time I get out.

Racing is good, but you cant race all the time. But, of course, for me, my finishing place is much more important.

jrangan

9 posts since
Nov 6, 2007

21. May 15, 2007 1:38 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

80% in the age grade percentiles.

bugrit

6 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

22. May 15, 2007 3:13 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

In my age group (50-54) fast is a sub 20 5K

Half Brad

5 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

23. Dec 25, 2007 7:57 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

I would have to agree, fast is what I was (4:50 miler in HS) , but for my age (38) I might be closing back on fast (1:33:49 Half Marathon and 3:49:43 Marathon). But then again when I was 16 I couldn't run 26.2!!!

http://This message has been edited by Half Brad (edited May-21-2007).

mrinertia

1,356 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

24. May 22, 2007 9:04 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tuscaloosarunner:
That would be one **** of an improvement!

Seriously, this is an interesting, interesting thread. You know, here's something that I wonder: when you race, what has greater importance to you: time, place, both, or neither?

One thing I'm beginning to find as I get faster is that I place less emphasis on hitting splits, trying to get fast courses, etc., and more emphasis hanging with a pack of runners, surging, try to drop a runner, etc. When the latter happens, I almost "stop" hearing the splits and try to focus on race tactics.

Funny, my best races have happened when I pay attention to racing as opposed to time...coincidentally, I've also blown-up doing this as well.

But that's what's real fun: nothing is guaranteed in running...<HR>

I'm still running races based on splits, goal times, etc., but I'm starting to think about placing. As an intermediate runner, I know it'll take TONS of training before I place, but I'm just now starting to think along those lines.

charlieeee

128 posts since
Jan 17, 2007

25. Dec 25, 2007 7:57 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

Fast is relative to your competition and age group, I think. Fast to me is around 15:30 and 4:15, not sure for distances above that. Those are the only distances I run or my immediate competition does.. Fast overall is in the 14's for a 5k or sub 4:10 mile.

http://This message has been edited by charlieeee (edited May-23-2007).

javaangel25

71 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

26. May 23, 2007 8:10 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

I look at fast in two ways: there are the pros who spend hours a day traing and devote their life training.
Then there is average Joe fast - the men and women who work all day and raise families and still win races. So average joe 5k fast would be in the 16s for men and in the 19s for the women

maryt091

806 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

27. May 24, 2007 6:19 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

Fast is a relative term, but if you want to know how fast you need to be to be nationally ranked in the USA look here:
http://www.runningusa.org/index_rank-standards.html[/URL" target="_blank">

Jim Sullivan032

516 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

28. May 24, 2007 9:03 AM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by maryt:
Fast is a relative term, but if you want to know how fast you need to be to be nationally ranked in the USA look here:
http://www.runningusa.org/index_rank-standards.html[/URL" target="_blank">
<HR>

Interesting chart. As someone in the 45-49 division, getting somewhat frustrated to be running considerably slower than I was 3-4 years ago, it makes me feel a bit better to see that there are statistics demonstrating that it's pretty common to be losing it at this point in my life.

QuickSilver096

188 posts since
May 23, 2007

29. May 25, 2007 5:53 PM

in response to: mrinertia

Re: What do you consider "fast"

Fast is anyone who finishes in front of me... I agree. I also like to think marathoners who go sub-3 are fast.

1 2 3 Previous Next Go to original post

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links