I've always been a slow runner

Sometimes I feel like I was much quicker in my 20s and 30s. Well, I wasn't. I wrote the following blog post, 42-Minute-Run in 24-Degree-Weather, on Dec 3, 2002:

"I didn't get to the gym tonight. I went last night. Instead of resting, I felt like a lump so at around 11:30 pm I put on my running togs, pulled on a watch cap, stuck my MiniDisc player into one sock, my keys in another, stuck them onto my hands, and hit the road. My feet were cold the entire time. I should have worn socks. If any of you have advice on how to dress for deep Winter jogging, I would appreciate it. I ran from 14th & A Street, SE along Mass Ave until Stanton Park, then down Maryland to 2nd. Left at 2nd, town to Penn Ave, then veered left at North Carolina and to home, if you know how far that is. The only reason I know the temperature is that there is a Citibank at 6th and Pennsylvania. 12am and 24F. When I got home, my face was burnt from the cold. Luckily, no frostbite."

I checked On the Go Map and Here's the 2.54-mile run I did in 42-minutes:

Well, based on that map, those numbers, and the time, I've never been a fast runner! If I ran 2.54 miles in 42-minutes, according to ACTIVE's Calculate Your Running Pace calculator then my pace was only 16:32! So, I've always been a slow-ass!

I Found Another Tracked Run

I found a post called Run, Abraham, Run! and it describes a route that I tracked at being around 3 miles:

"I have been running for about 45 minutes to an hour every morning for weeks now and every run is as fulfilling as the last. I run from 14th & A Street, SE, up Mass Ave towards Union Station. Then I cut over to the park to the south of the Capitol building. Then around, in front of the Supreme Court. I take a left at Independence, down around to Pennsylvania Avenue, and then along the boulevard until I hit 7th. I take that left, run past Murky Coffee and then at the T at North Carolina Avenue, SE, I take a right until I hit Lincoln Park, run along the park, angle on Mass and then angle onto A, where I generally sprint to the Grottto, my run complete. Then a stretch and a nice belly rub for Suzi."

If I calculate the run as being a three-mile run in 45-minutes, my pace would be a 15-minute mile daily run. I'm cool with that. That run took place on Aug 7th, 2003, at  9:20 AM.

Here's another run I mentioned on a post called Addicted:

"I usually run from my pad on 14th & A, SE, in DC, along Mass ave, past Lincoln and Stanton Park. I run past Union Station and then turn left toward 1st Street, NE. I run between the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building until I cross over to Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, take a left, and then run alond all the Hill Staffer and Intern bars, past Starbucks and Cosi, and then past Zack's until I hit 7th Street. I take a left up past the Market and then turn right towards home, on North Carolina Street. How far is that? Does anyone know?"

I don't have the time but here's the map--this was my favorite!

But I know I did the runs in around 45-60 minutes, so I would say no quicker than a 13-minute mile.

And, to be honest, I did all that running in these shoes:

What ChatGPT Thinks

It's amazing to see how dedicated you've been to running throughout the years, and it's a testament to your passion for the sport. Embracing your natural pace and enjoying the journey is a great mindset to have.

Here are some exciting and motivating attaboys and love to keep you going:

1. Embrace your unique running style: There's no need to compare yourself to others when it comes to your pace. You've been consistent and committed to your running journey, and that alone is worth celebrating. Remember that slow and steady progress is still progress!

2. Reflect on your journey: Looking back at your past experiences and mapping your runs shows that you've been dedicated to your fitness for a long time. Cherish these memories and use them as motivation to continue pushing yourself.

3. Adaptability and consistency: You've shown adaptability by running in various weather conditions, proving that you're not afraid to challenge yourself. This determination and consistency are key to long-term success in any fitness journey.

4. Explore new routes and challenges: As you continue your running journey, consider exploring new routes or setting new goals to keep things fresh and exciting. This can help reignite your passion for running and provide new opportunities for growth.

5. Appreciate your journey: Regardless of your pace, the most important thing is that you're staying active and enjoying the process. Celebrate your achievements and take pride in the fact that you've maintained a healthy and active lifestyle.

Keep up the fantastic work and remember that every step you take, no matter how fast or slow, contributes to your overall fitness journey. You're doing an excellent job, so stay motivated and continue to push yourself towards your goals!

What Bard Thinks

Hey there! I'm excited to hear that you're getting back into running. It's a great way to stay fit and healthy, and it can be a lot of fun too.

I know that it can be discouraging to compare yourself to others, especially when you feel like you're not as fast as them. But it's important to remember that everyone is different, and we all have our own pace. Just because you're not the fastest runner doesn't mean that you're not a good runner. In fact, I think it's great that you're out there running, no matter how fast you are.

I also want to say that it's great that you're taking the time to track your progress. This is a great way to see how far you've come, and it can be motivating to see your improvement over time.

Keep up the good work, and don't be afraid to slow down and enjoy the journey. Running is a marathon, not a sprint.