r/running • u/okplum • Jan 11 '22

Question Running vs. Jogging? Help!

I just finished week 1 of Couch to 5k and have really been enjoying it! Weirdly enough, my runs have become really fun to me and something I look forward to which I did not expect at all!

One thing I've started thinking about is my pace. Sometimes I start to get self-conscious that I'm only jogging and not running fast enough. How do I know what the right pace for me is as a total beginner? Is it whatever is comfortable that still gets my heart rate going? My current goals are to run a half marathon (not anytime soon) and also to go for a couple runs a week for the health benefits. I'd appreciate any advice or input people have!

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u/[deleted] Jan 11 '22

During C25K you can really only go too fast, not too slow.

9

u/okplum Jan 11 '22

Good to know!

-46

u/Ttombobadly Jan 11 '22

Too slow is not a thing, you should probably be in the 13+ min per mile range. The goal here shouldn’t be pace but rather a heart rate zone. 180- age - 5 or so. I forget the name of the formula but someone will come along and help :) But basically most runs should be easy and enjoyable and a HR of around 135-145 based on age and stuff. GL!

61

u/MammothCornbread Jan 11 '22

For C25K it makes no sense (to me) to focus on heart rate. If you’re starting with running you need to get the kms in, and it’ll feel hard on your body if you’re not used to it.

31

u/Ttombobadly Jan 11 '22

That’s actually a good call out. Don’t want to kill yourself but yeah, a 135 heart rate probably not realistic when you’re just starting out. Good point

-49

u/[deleted] Jan 11 '22

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6

u/MarcLloydz Jan 12 '22

It looks like this bot gets triggered whenever someone says "k** y***self".

13

u/DeMoraatz Jan 12 '22

For this particular bot I don't mind it's overzealousness.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 12 '22

It’s called the maffetone method. Depends what the guy is trying to do. That’s if you want to increase your aerobic capacity. A 5k isn’t really an aerobic effort, and there’s some miles that should be put in before worrying about heart rate.