Question for runners..

[Drive4show]

I work wih a guy who says a person who is in decent shape but has not been a "runner" can easily run a mile in under 10 minutes or 3 miles in under 25 minutes. While i was training for a police academy, it took me 6 weeks of training to break a 10 minutes mile from scratch. After 2 years, i now do 7-8 minute miles with no problem. Do you think a person can just get up off a couch and run a mile in that time?? Saying it and doing it are 2 different things. Id like this guy to see other points of view on it.

 

[Tiggeroo]

it depends on how active you are in general. Couch potato for a few years, no way.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

Depends, am I being chased? If so by what? Angry bear then yes probably.

Now if someone is in front of me holding out a mickey bar, I can probably break all land speed records.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yep--that would be my couch potato husband . Of course I had to reel him in when he trained for the Disney half. He didn't realize that you run out of gas by going all out and just b/c you can go super fast in your first workout...

If he is in decent shape, he probably isn't just off the couch--and it is entirely possible. His build and what muscles are in shape as well as how "decent" his cardio is...determines how fast.

Those distances are still on the short side. It would take training to maintain that for long distances.

A sub-10 mile really isn't all that swift for a guy in "decent" shape (though for me that would be lightening speed). Also--take into consideration if he is tall or not. I trained with a guy on my marathon team once...I'm in a jog--and he's just doing a brisk walk with little effort. He had VERY long legs.....so he just covered more distance with each stride.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I work wih a guy who says a person who is in decent shape but has not been a "runner" can easily run a mile in under 10 minutes or 3 miles in under 25 minutes.

I guess it depends on the definition of "decent shape". A ten minute mile isn't a big deal, but a 5K in under 25 minutes? 8 1/2 minute miles x 3. That takes some training.

 

[sugarpie]

I don't run anymore, but when I did I usually ran 2 miles in 18 minutes. I am not the type to push myself too hard. And I'm a woman.

 

[Deb in IA]

I've been a runner for 20 years now, and I would also agree that it depends on what you call a non-runner in "decent shape".

A naturally skinny couch potato who doesn't do any aerobic workouts will probabaly not be able to do a mile in 10 minutes.

However, Lance Armstrong would be able to do it easily - and did, when he ran the NYC Marathon in 2:59 - that's less than 7 min/mile, for 26.2 miles.

 

[salmoneous]

I know several people who are in very good shape who cannot run 3 miles in under 25 minutes. But I would grant that anybody (baring injuries) in decent shape should be able to fight their way through one 10-minute mile.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I know several people who are in very good shape who cannot run 3 miles in under 25 minutes. But I would grant that anybody (baring injuries) in decent shape should be able to fight their way through one 10-minute mile.

ITA I'm pretty much out of shape and would never be able to maintain a 10 minute mile pace, but if need be, for one mile I could most likely gut out on 10 minute mile.

 

[CEDmom]

I doubt many people who don't run or regularly exercise could even run a mile in any amount of time. Most people don't know how to pace themselves and start out way too fast only to fizzle out way before the finish line.

BTW, I'm currently training for a 1/2 marathon.

 

[KTSMOM]

I would say it might depend on your body type. If you are built for running you could probably run a 10 min mile the first time, but doubtful about the 25 min 3 mile unless you are in shape.

 

[momof2inPA]

I can not exercise for 6 months and get up and run a mile at a decent pace, but most people aren't like that.

 

[escape]

*sigh* I can only dream of running a 10 minute mile. *sigh*

 

[Anewman]

Well considering the average walking speed is 3 mph, I think you would have to be in terrible shape to not be able to do a single 10 min mile(6mph).

You would have to be in decent shape to do the 3 in 25 thing.

 

[Aidensmom]

I started running almost 25 years ago but there have been times I have taken very LONG breaks (several months to several years), and I could always go right back to doing a mile in under 10 minutes. An under 25 minute 5K would not be happening without training a bit first though.

 

[VSL]

A sub-10min mile is not fast. A sub-6min mile could be considered fast (Paula Radcliffe does her easy runs at sub-6min/mile pace when at sea-level - slower at altitude). A 3:43.13 mile is the current WR (Hicham El Guerrouj).

Someone who is not overweight (there's a reason elite runners are pretty skinny) and in decent aerobic shape should be able to easily do a sub-10min mile.

Endurance is more of a factor when it comes to races of 3k+ though, and that has to be trained.