Documenting her running journey from 0k to 5k to marathon, Emily Shane AKA @RunsWithEmily has found her people on social media - a lot of people. Her hook? She runs slowly.
I'm 62, started running at 50, and now average an 11 minute 5K. I was a member of many Facebook running groups for people my age and pretty quickly started to feel badly about my pace, which I worked really hard to attain. So I started my own group on FB called Running Like a Turtle, and EVERY person who joins says they just want a place to feel good about the effort they make. There's a lot of us slower runners out there, although our Turtle group does not allow the "s-word" to be used. We just run and cheer each other on!
Love this article. I've been running randomly since HS (the 90s). Since August, I've approached running more like Emily explains. I'm running 3 days per week, try not to have more than 2 days between runs, and I've slowed down. Typically, I run 2 slow runs per week and the 3rd is some sort of speed work. BUT, if I'm not feeling the speed/don't want to go work hard, I just go run slow and enjoy it (or start slow and then get "accidentally" get into the speed work). Because of all that, I've built a habit I love, I'm consistent and I'm actually getting much better. What was "slow"/"easy" in August is different than what is slow/easy now. Just keep running!
I embraced the slow running (80/20) training style in 2021 and have not looked back :) Training injury free is fantastic and knowing you can still get faster this way really helps stick to it!
I denounced fast running a good few years ago after a track night hamstring strain but only started slow slow running this year and... I'm the fittest and fastest that I've ever been. Go figure. The science works?!
I'm 62, started running at 50, and now average an 11 minute 5K. I was a member of many Facebook running groups for people my age and pretty quickly started to feel badly about my pace, which I worked really hard to attain. So I started my own group on FB called Running Like a Turtle, and EVERY person who joins says they just want a place to feel good about the effort they make. There's a lot of us slower runners out there, although our Turtle group does not allow the "s-word" to be used. We just run and cheer each other on!
An 11 miinute 5K is very fast. You should be proud!
Love this article. I've been running randomly since HS (the 90s). Since August, I've approached running more like Emily explains. I'm running 3 days per week, try not to have more than 2 days between runs, and I've slowed down. Typically, I run 2 slow runs per week and the 3rd is some sort of speed work. BUT, if I'm not feeling the speed/don't want to go work hard, I just go run slow and enjoy it (or start slow and then get "accidentally" get into the speed work). Because of all that, I've built a habit I love, I'm consistent and I'm actually getting much better. What was "slow"/"easy" in August is different than what is slow/easy now. Just keep running!
Run/Walk for the win!
Good Tips
I embraced the slow running (80/20) training style in 2021 and have not looked back :) Training injury free is fantastic and knowing you can still get faster this way really helps stick to it!
I denounced fast running a good few years ago after a track night hamstring strain but only started slow slow running this year and... I'm the fittest and fastest that I've ever been. Go figure. The science works?!
And I have an interview with 80/20 legend Matt Fitzgerald coming in the next couple of weeks 😁
Looking forward to that!
Allergy season
Post-nasal drip commences
Running anyway
Are you Southern hemisphere? I'm glad to finally be OUT of allergy season!
No, I’m in the Midwest! Just getting hit with the ol’ fall allergies now (leaf mold + ragweed = sinus chaos 😭)
I really appreciate the work you put into this newsletter, btw. It’s awesome. YOU’RE DOING GREAT.
aaaah thanks so much - means a lot
wow, that's slow :)
Is it still slow if so many people run at the same pace? Mode average?
You know what? I really don‘t care. Whatever works for people. :)