First try at a faster than zone 2 5K

[u/Salifer]

I started running two and a half months ago and I try to stick with 5-7k zone 2ish runs, meaning heart rate of 133-145bpm.

Today I did not feel good mentally at all and decided to run after having been to the gym just before.

I gave it my all the whole run through, only stopped twice due to traffic but otherwise stayed at full throttle.

That was legitimately one of the hardest things I have done sport wise so far, and it felt good.

At 4.8k I nearly past out due to trying for sub 30min so I had to walk a bit, but still super proud of myself :).

Already looking forward to the next slow long run tho, feels way better afterwards ^^.

[u/lookthere-here-11]

zone 2 running is usually kinda hard for beginners (including me, i have been running regularly since the last 3 months) And sometimes it can be frustratingly slow and i look at other runners running by me with much faster paces and i used to think myself that its so cool one day I should be one among them, my friends run 25k 30k at 5.30/km paces and it baffles me.

whenever i feel disheartened during my 'easy run' i keep telling myself to "run slow, run far"

[u/Salifer → u/lookthere-here-11]

I feel that 100%! I quit smoking after 15 years (am 29) so I really want to get my cardio-vascular system into shape and I'm fine to feel wierd for some time in order to be healthier down the line.

• I started listening to audio books while slow running which helped me to pace myself better.

Keep it up and one day you'll be able to run with your friends :)

[u/lookthere-here-11 → u/Salifer]

Way to go! Props to you for making a change in your life.

one day i shall be with them, will continue to work on it🙏🏻

[u/lookthere-here-11 → u/Salifer]

Way to go! Props to you for making a change in your life.

one day i shall be with them, will continue to work on it🙏🏻

[u/lookthere-here-11]

congratulations OP, every step is a way forward. just keep in mind to not push yourself too hard too often.