What's the difference?  You RAN the race.  You got off your duff, and did it.  99.8% of people have no idea of the high you get when you finish the race, whether your first, last, or in the middle.  Who cares?  You did the race.

OK, I'm 37, and think a 22:20 is a great time.  Perhaps find race results by age category, and check it out.  I know for a fact the runner's world 5K/half marathon results for the last couple years are on their website.  Start there.

I am 46 now and began running races 3 years ago - at the time I was in the 24:00 range for a 5K (7:45 pace) and I thought that respectable! Now, three years later I regularly clock around 20:45-21:30 (6:45-6:55 pace) with a PR at 20:19. I am hoping to crack under 20:00 one of these days but the age clock is ticking PLUS I am a big runner 6-1 about 200 lbs - can't fly around like those 140 pounders! Good job on your 5K....as far as tops in your age group you have to consider the size of the race (25 people or 500? easier is the former). Also, it seems that the 40-44 and 45-49 groups are more competitive than the younger one cuz all the mid-life crissi folks like you and I are out there! In a race with say 150 people, you can place 3rd typically with you 22:20, but usually, there are a few ringers even in those small races that will break 19:00 or 20:00 in your age group.

m

Ok, since none of these recreational "joggers" will tell you the truth I will. You're about 5 1/2 minutes off being considered fast for your age group. If you can't run under 6 minute miles for a 5k you're just another jogger.

That being said, for a first timer 22 isn't awful, keep and get to the track. Do 8 x 440's at 80% of race w/440 jogs in between and don't listen to these joggers.

From a 50 year old swimmer that jsut ran a 16:05 5k.

Although I admire the 50 year old swimmer for running around 16 minutes flat for the 5K, this is a rare exception and not the norm for any age group.  In fact in high school cross country races in Colorado, this would win most of the races out there in any division.  In citizen's races, this is often a winning time, particularly if it is not in a large metropolitan area.  The first question is what is respectable for a guy in his mid 40's for this race.  I say 22:20 minutes is slightly better than average for typical runners in this age group, and that a respectable time is under 20 minutes.  The second question of what time would essentially be an award winner in his age division, it depend on how large and established the race is.  Typically, it would be in the 17's.  Anything in the 16's is rare especially at this age, and involves alot of training and dedication.  My suggestion would be to run outside more often than on the treadmill. In  particular, do some speed work on the track every week and mix it up with distance and hills.  If you insist on running on the treadmill, see how far you can go once a week at the 10 MPH setting. If you can consistently go 3.1 miles, then I say your in racing condition.

I am 35 and just started running a few months ago.. I was at 320 pounds last November and Today I ran my 3rd 5k in3 months.. I ran today in 31:01.    YOur time is great.. U got out and did it. COngrats to u

Ah, to the modest swimmer who his many, many standard

deviations from the norm. If by respectable we

mean "not a slow poke by any means" than <22 min

is still good. I just had a VO2max test and my

results (which also yielded at 19 min 5k time)

put me in the top 1% for the general population.

For runners anything under 22 is good, under 20

very good, under 18 great, under 16 rare and possibly

ex-elite. Calling us joggers!!! I will assume the

swimmer was being tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, I

will not play games-his time is remarkable-but

I bet Said Aouita (now in his late 40s) we laugh at

15 minutes

I started running at age 50. At age 55 I ran a 19:42, at

age 59 20:26. Now I'm 66 and can barely grind out a 25!

At age 44 you have many good, fast years ahead of you, IF

you hit the track and run a lot of 5Ks and want to get

lower and lower. But 22-23 is still pretty good. I'd DIE

(almost) for a 22 something!