So, I am just getting into running. I was a bit stupid in my 20s and drank/smoked myself into an unfit 200lb 6 foot 32 year old. I started running in July with an aim of getting fit and I am now down to about 190lbs.
I started by doing two 3 mile runs a week. I am now up to three 4 mile runs. I have loitered on these boards for a few months so I know this is very little milage... I also know that my pace is quite slow.
I do all my runs at about 7:30/mile pace and if I try to run a flat out 3 mile it is at about 6:30-6:40 pace.
My problem is that recently I have started to feel a bit down at my lack of progress. Within the first month of running I managed to do a 3 mile run at 6:40 pace and 7:30 felt pretty easy. But since then nothing has changed despite doing a lot of running (compared to my previous life of sitting on my ass).
Anyway, does this seem normal? Could anybody offer advice or anything to compare myself with? I would like to improve to the point that I could be competitive but that seems very far away. How long does it take for a normal runner in their 30s to make reasonable improvements?
Thanks for any help!