Why am I good at the 800m but not at 5k?

You are probably naturally fast (fast twitch fibers) and spend most of your time training in that realm. I would imagine you are very under developed aerobically. For that, more miles. How many miles a week do you run? How fast are those easy to medium paced miles? My guess would be not too many miles and those runs are too fast.

Spend what is left of the summer building up your mileage and getting a lot of longer runs in. You said you will do long runs of 8 miles once the season starts. People running closer to 1:50 and 16 minutes for the 5k are running multiple 8 mile runs a week in the summer. Their long runs are most likely in the 12+ range.

I'm actually 5'10 and I've just never reall figured out how to run xc I guess but I'll try that my next race. And my 2 mile pr is 9:40s I know. And I train on hills and trails for xc

Well I have a track meet at the end of the summer I wanna do good in so I've been doing track training. But I guess I should start doing long runs. And I usually have anywhere from 25 miles to 40 a week. I just run what I come up with Ive nev is been given a good plan to stick with I wish I had one.

Noah the slow 5k kid wrote:

I usually have anywhere from 25 miles to 40 a week.

Top high school 5k runners are running 70 to 100 miles a week.

Try being consistent at 40 mpw, and when you're used to that, go to 50 mpw.

Noah the slow 5k kid wrote:

I'm 5' 10 actually. And xc I train on hills and stuff I just never learned how to run it. But yeah next race I am definetly gonna try that and see what happens. And my 2 mile pr on a track was 9:43

If you run a 9:43 and can't break 16:40 (and that is pretty slow estimate. 16:00 would be a lot more normal), either you are running the most brutal XC courses ever OR you are not remotely in 9:43 shape right now.

I never tried to run xc when I was in good shape though. So maybe I can do good just haven't tried. I seem to get dead after 2 miles it always seems like. So 40mpw would be good? Just do runs or specific workout type runs? Like tempos? 1k repeats what would you say?

When I run a 5k how do I run the race? Do I take out hard to what would be the best way for a guy like me to do it?

OP is lying. Nobody ho has ever run 9:43 for 2 miles runs 19:30 for 5k. If you can run 4:51xx pace for 2 miles, obviously your pace for 3.1 miles is not going to be over 6 minutes.

Noah the slow 5k kid wrote:

I never tried to run xc when I was in good shape though. So maybe I can do good just haven't tried. I seem to get dead after 2 miles it always seems like. So 40mpw would be good? Just do runs or specific workout type runs? Like tempos? 1k repeats what would you say?

Yes 40 mpw would be good as it's a gradual increase from what you've been doing.

Just do steady runs for mileage, as a base to support your specific workouts.

You don't need tempos, as your 5k races will be much better.

I'm not lying lol all my times are on websites you could look. But ok I'll start with 40 mpw and see what happens thanks. How fast do the runs need to be?

You are an 800m runner 1500m tops. Stop trying to change that

Everyone on here lumps everything together as 'distance'

You are a middle distance runner!

Gunior wrote:

OP is lying. Nobody ho has ever run 9:43 for 2 miles runs 19:30 for 5k. If you can run 4:51xx pace for 2 miles, obviously your pace for 3.1 miles is not going to be over 6 minutes.

There is a good chance this is true. All he'd have to do to beat his 5k PR is race another decent 2 mile and then follow it up with a 9 minute mile cool down.

Hi Noah,

I just bumped into this thread. 2 years gone by so how are you doing ? Read all the replies and recommendations you were given. I just hope you continued to improved in the 800,1500m and 5k.

Hope you kept at it. Most 1500m runners race the 3 k and 5k. More than 200m as suggested.

All my top national runners who race the 800m and 1500m race the 5k in high school .

No need to run 100 miles a week..yes some kids under 18 do this big load but not many ! Remember its only 5km not a half marathon. You dont need to run those miles.

All my runners sub 2 min and sub 425 mile run less than 60 miles a week. Even with a sub 15 min 5k ..

Hope all is well and still improving.

Oh forgot..your 19min 5k could have been as easy as pacing properly...

I was a 1:53 guy who DESPERATELY wanted to be a good 5k runner but rarely got into the low 17s. This disappointment continued through college.