I became a hobby jogger and still don't understand why hobby joggers are so slow

a slow runner wrote:

I'm in my mid 30s and haven't run more than 10-12 mpw since 2012. No workouts, no cross training, and barely any racing.

I ran a 5K a few weeks ago, got a 20:47, and easily finished in the top 10% of all men.

My question is, why is everyone else so slow? Many of them are doing more training than I am, and it's not like I'm a talented ex-track star either. I wouldn't have been able to walk on to any college with the possible exception of the absolute worst D3 schools. And even then, I'd probably be the slowest guy on the team (my lifetime 1500 PR is 4:40 set in 2011, and that's my best event).

Is everyone else just stopping at the first sign of discomfort or something?

absolute cream of human fitness wrote:

5k speed is mostly talent.

Try a Marathon an report back.

A slow runner wrote:

absolute cream of human fitness wrote:

5k speed is mostly talent.

Try a Marathon an report back.

Talent? Like I said, I had zero talent and wouldn't be able to walk-on to the vast majority of D3 teams.

I think that the real reason for the slow times is a lack of effort during races and am surprised that not many people agree. It's like everyone starts walking when they're feeling a bit tired or when they're starting to sweat.

No, I am a slow runner wrote:

A slow runner wrote:

Talent? Like I said, I had zero talent and wouldn't be able to walk-on to the vast majority of D3 teams.

I think that the real reason for the slow times is a lack of effort during races and am surprised that not many people agree. It's like everyone starts walking when they're feeling a bit tired or when they're starting to sweat.

Why are people so offended by the thought that they actually have natural talent?

Boost that Moose wrote:

No, I am a slow runner wrote:

Why are people so offended by the thought that they actually have natural talent?

He's offended that you find a 1500 meters PR of 4:40 to be talented.

Cheeseballs wrote:

4:40 1500m is at least in the top 10% of all runners worldwide. So his 20:xx 5k where he finished in the top 10% makes sense. Maybe he's as bad at math as he is at running? 🤣

A slow runner wrote:

absolute cream of human fitness wrote:

5k speed is mostly talent.

Try a Marathon an report back.

Talent? Like I said, I had zero talent and wouldn't be able to walk-on to the vast majority of D3 teams.

I think that the real reason for the slow times is a lack of effort during races and am surprised that not many people agree. It's like everyone starts walking when they're feeling a bit tired or when they're starting to sweat.

you\'re not slow bro wrote:

Stop being an idiot.

Now you're sounding like the cis white dudes that claim they aren't privileged.

Boost that Moose wrote:

People start threads on here from time to time asking how to break 20 minutes in a 5K. I always think....ummmm....just like....ummmm.....do it? I broke 20 as a little 10-year-old kid with basically random nonsense training of 5 miles per week.

a slow runner wrote:

I'm in my mid 30s and haven't run more than 10-12 mpw since 2012. No workouts, no cross training, and barely any racing.

I ran a 5K a few weeks ago, got a 20:47, and easily finished in the top 10% of all men.

My question is, why is everyone else so slow? Many of them are doing more training than I am, and it's not like I'm a talented ex-track star either. I wouldn't have been able to walk on to any college with the possible exception of the absolute worst D3 schools. And even then, I'd probably be the slowest guy on the team (my lifetime 1500 PR is 4:40 set in 2011, and that's my best event).

Is everyone else just stopping at the first sign of discomfort or something?