I've done track for 3 years now, and can't get under 7 minutes for the mile. I'm female with really short legs, however I'm not overweight (5' 4" and 107 lbs). I train really hard, but can't seem to do it. Is it possible that there are some people that are this bad at running? I feel like I must be in the bottom 1% of runners based on natural ability. Ugh. Any suggestions?
Start by describing your training. Post a sample training block - an average one, not your best.
SarahM wrote:
I've done track for 3 years now, and can't get under 7 minutes for the mile. I'm female with really short legs, however I'm not overweight (5' 4" and 107 lbs). I train really hard, but can't seem to do it. Is it possible that there are some people that are this bad at running? I feel like I must be in the bottom 1% of runners based on natural ability. Ugh. Any suggestions?
Some people are just not talented at running. You might be one of them.
What is your best time now? If you can get to 6:50, that would be faster than david45.
SarahM wrote:
I've done track for 3 years now, and can't get under 7 minutes for the mile. I'm female with really short legs, however I'm not overweight (5' 4" and 107 lbs). I train really hard, but can't seem to do it. Is it possible that there are some people that are this bad at running? I feel like I must be in the bottom 1% of runners based on natural ability. Ugh. Any suggestions?
If you are not David45's imaginary sister, post your current mile PR and training regimen. Your goal does not require any complicated training methods.
Viking21 wrote:
SarahM wrote:
I've done track for 3 years now, and can't get under 7 minutes for the mile. I'm female with really short legs, however I'm not overweight (5' 4" and 107 lbs). I train really hard, but can't seem to do it. Is it possible that there are some people that are this bad at running? I feel like I must be in the bottom 1% of runners based on natural ability. Ugh. Any suggestions?
If you are not David45's imaginary sister, post your current mile PR and training regimen. Your goal does not require any complicated training methods.
More like his imaginary girlfriend. Oh wait David wouldn’t even be able to get an IMAGINARY girlfriend lol
7:06
Who is multiplying?
My best is 7:06. However, my coach believes in low mileage/high intensity, so I don't think I've ever run over 20 miles in a week (don't do cross-country). Most weeks are only about 15. We do 2 easy runs typically, a tempo-run, then some sort of 2 hard interval training sets in any given week, and sprints are sprinkled in. Over the summers I probably don't do any more than 10 miles a week.
summers and the off seasons*
SarahM wrote:
My best is 7:06. However, my coach believes in low mileage/high intensity, so I don't think I've ever run over 20 miles in a week (don't do cross-country). Most weeks are only about 15. We do 2 easy runs typically, a tempo-run, then some sort of 2 hard interval training sets in any given week, and sprints are sprinkled in. Over the summers I probably don't do any more than 10 miles a week.
Are you in middle school? The faster high school girls on my team when I started running (in 1985) were running 80 miles per week over the summer.
You should run more. 2 miles a day average is less than I do dog walking. Add an evening run around your neighborhood, and run on your own on the weekends to bump up your mileage to 30 a week.
If you're doing high intensity stuff and can't break (in race? or on tempo runs? you didnt specify), then you are lacking in base, which is evidenced by your 15 mi weeks. You have to run everyday even on weekends and make Sun at least 2 mi longer than any other run you do, (none of these runs have to be fast). Most high school coaches are either dumb or only focused on the very top runners, you have to take initiative and do something different if nothing is working and you actually want to improve
Do you have PRs for 200/400m?
my tempo runs are generally like 8:30ish
also I don't know why it's funny to you. you don't have to be mean
You need base mileage. Go for a long run on your own every weekend. Don't worry about counting miles. Start at 30 minutes and work your way slowly up to an hour. Do you do 400 repeats in practice? Pretty much every track program in the universe does. If you can do 10x400 @ 1:40 without huge recovery breaks, you can hit your mile target. Finally, do you have a strategy for the mile or do you just run? Hit your splits, push hard on the third lap, and don't get boxed in. It's not a crazy goal. Don't over complicate things.
SarahM wrote:
My best is 7:06. However, my coach believes in low mileage/high intensity, so I don't think I've ever run over 20 miles in a week (don't do cross-country). Most weeks are only about 15. We do 2 easy runs typically, a tempo-run, then some sort of 2 hard interval training sets in any given week, and sprints are sprinkled in. Over the summers I probably don't do any more than 10 miles a week.
Have a plan to build up your weekly mileage. The mile race needs good aerobic ability and 10 to 20 per week isn't enough if your running talent is average. Run a longer warm-up before practice, run 6 days a week instead of 4 or 5. Don't run "all out" in the 2 hard interval sessions, hold back and run at 80 to 90% effort even if that means being slower than runners you usually beat in a race.
SarahM wrote:
I've done track for 3 years now, and can't get under 7 minutes for the mile. I'm female with really short legs, however I'm not overweight (5' 4" and 107 lbs). I train really hard, but can't seem to do it. Is it possible that there are some people that are this bad at running? I feel like I must be in the bottom 1% of runners based on natural ability. Ugh. Any suggestions?
Oh my ... the "short legs" excuse .... and coming from an average height woman
ok first i only use this site every few months. and i just looked into david, im not as slow as he is at least relative to those of my gender. the female equivalent of him would have trouble breaking 9 mins so dont be rudddde
my inseam is only 26 inches lmao literally the length of the average 4 ft 10 woman. im just built awkwardly. not an excuse but an explanation. i really wanna be as fast as i can be, even if that still means ill never win a race