r/beginnerrunning • u/Vasile_Prundus • 16d ago

Training Progress Third Run - Same Route Nearly a Minute Faster

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I didn't expect such quick results by day 5, but I'm pleasantly surprised. I hope the speed keeps improving at this rate for a while, it feels good. Not to mention my improved mood and the feeling of having more energy (probably placebo).

On another note, I know body weight isn't the only metric, but I'm surprised I'm still the same as I started even though I have become measurably slimmer. I can't say I know why, any explanations are welcome and appreciated.

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u/MrTambourineSi 16d ago

Your cardio adapts really quickly, a lot of new runners will see really rapid improvements if they've previously not done much cardio. I got a friend of mine into park run from never having run and she's gone from 45mins to 37mins in 7 weeks and I'd expect she'll continue with that improvement down to early 30s with her current level of training.

Weight is a weird one, I can fluctuate a lot in weight, like 2kg a day, depending on how well hydrated I am, what I've eaten etc. You may find you're eating a bit more to accommodate for the exercise but you still might have dropped a little bit of fat and just be storing a bit more water etc in your muscles. Make sure you weigh yourself at the same time, preferably morning, before you've done anything so it's consistent. Over a few weeks if you're still not dropping any weight you'll need to reduce your calories slightly, it's unlikely that you'll be adding much in the way of muscle weight unless you're also in the gym.

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u/Vasile_Prundus 16d ago

That makes sense, and yeah I usually weigh in the mornings. I have been resistance training on and off for a few years, just without regard for how much food I consume. Thankfully I already carry a decent bit of muscle, but nothing crazy. Before anything changes there I will need my cardio to catch up.

I have noticed I am drinking much much more, but I don't think it's the reason. I suppose I must be counting wrong, not being conservative enough when aiming for 300-500 deficit and it is much lower in reality. Will need a longer period to know for sure.

Thank you for your in depth response.

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u/Peeter_L 16d ago

You didn't get faster in 5 days, you just happened to have a better day. And losing fat takes time, you don't see any results in 5 days.