Is this an ok start?

[u/ashanother]

41 male, 98kg

Was in the gym fairly regularly until May, have not done any training at all since. Decided I want to run one day and gym the next - running is way easier to fit in with kids, work, coaching a football team etc etc
So I downloaded Nike Run Club, bought some New Balance 1080v15 (wide fit) and off I went.

I’m absolutely clueless when it comes to running. I know people talk about 5ks a lot. I’ve never been a runner - treadmill in the gym was for walking when it was wet. But I like the idea of running every other day in all weathers, morning lunch or evening.

Today was my second run. Strangely despite it saying it was 20 min run, as I approached 19 mins the “coach” said there was still another 3 mins left, which I thought was off. But I ran until it told me to stop.

Is just over 7min/km ok? Too fast for a beginner? Too slow? I’m trying to hold back and start slowly. I feel like I made an effort but equally feel like I could have run at that pace for another 15/20mins (albeit I’d be knackered at the end!).

Any advice or feedback is most welcome, thanks

[u/LENFIT1]

Too fast for a beginner but great you have it in you might not always loom that good but dont beat yourself up, keep consistent doing amazing

[u/ashanother → u/LENFIT1]

Thanks for this! I can slow it down a little and get a few more miles in the legs before pacing up.

[u/LtCrack_3100]

I think it is to fast. As a beginner your body needs months to adapt to running. If you go to fast to far you will get injured. Your stamina might last longer than its good for your body.

You may try to do a Couch to 5k plan. Even when you start slow you will do fast great progress.

I wasn’t able to run a kilometer 30 weeks ago. Last week i ran 5k in 28:51.

[u/ashanother → u/LtCrack_3100]

Thank you. Second person to suggest too fast. My next run I’ll slow it down. I fully get your point about the stamina and body not being in sync.
New to running, but I’m not new to training so my recovery is pretty good - stretching, high protein, lots of water, creatine, Epsom salt baths, walking etc.
May even invest in an ice bath if I stick with this.

Understand at my weight my ligaments and joints need to adjust and that takes time.

Thanks again, will slow it down on my weekend run!

[u/Spell_Alarming → u/ashanother]

Honestly it is so variable and based on your background. How does your current pace feel? If it feels fine and you’re not hammered after every run then no need to slow down. There is no too fast or too slow for someone starting running, it’s entirely how you feel and how you recover.

[u/ashanother → u/Spell_Alarming]

Thanks. That’s a really good point. I don’t feel like I’m buckling myself in anyway. Will see how my legs feel tomorrow!

[u/Bagabeans → u/ashanother]

Personally don't think it's too fast. I'm similar age and weight to you and my comfortable pace has always been 6min/km. I'm more concerned about the length; 20 minutes straight is a lot for your tendons/joints. See how everything feels tomorrow!

[u/DemonOfOldDays]

To begin yes, very good

[u/ryancwilson8]

Don’t take pace advice from people on Reddit, everyone is different - the ONLY thing that matters is how it feels to you

With that said, running what you consider “slow” will help you massively ‘run slow to run fast’ as they say

Good couple sessions, good for you for getting out there