How am I doing on my 2 mile run? What kind of goals should I set?

Question

I've just started running two miles as often as I can. Previously I hadn't done a whole lot in the way of exercise, I'd been active, but never worked out or anything.

I am 17, 5'7'' and weigh about 135 lbs. I'm running about 2.1 miles. I didn't time myself the first time, but the second time I did it (about a week later) my times were such:

Mile 1: 6:55

Mile 2: 9:27

Total: 16:22

Are these respectable times or lousy? Also what kind of goals should I set and what sort of routine will help me improve? Lastly, on the last mile back I had to walk about .25 miles off and on before continuing to run again. Is this bad?

Answer 1

I run high school track and those are ok times the first mile is decent but what you might need to do is slow down the first mile to speed up the second mile. you may be beginning too quickly and then losing it towards to end. you want your mile times to be similar. the second mile should be slower but not that signifigantly. even if your first mile is more like 8 minutes and the second is like 8:30 you should feel a lot stronger on the second mile than you did before. you should definatly try to run the whole time too. i can't really give you a goal until you run the right way. your just trying to run as fast as you can on the first mile but you can't keep up that pace for two miles. you need to find your two mile pace. A pace that is fast but not so fast that you can't keep it up for the full two miles after a while it will feel natural. Also you need to run more consistantly if you want to improve like at least 5 times a week. You also need to build up your endurance. you can do this by simply spending time running. Instead of running two miles do a 30 minute run at a somewhat gentle pace once or twice a week. Running once a week won't get you in shape and you won't improve if you don't get in shape.

Answer 2

You're doing good. Just try to make your mile splits closer in time. If you run the first mile too fast, you most likely won't feel too good the rest of your run. Evening the times out will help you feel better throughout your run and you shouldn't have to walk at the end.

Answer 3

I think it's great, I wish I could run that fast!

Answer 4

I know for the Army you have to run the 2 miles in 15:54 to pass at all. For your age, 13:00 is a 100 score) was 12:54 when I was in).

So it's a decent start, keep at it and you will make improvements.

Answer 5

It's a pretty slow time but you're only getting started. For your age you should be doing 2 miles in 12 minutes. If you want to increase the speed incorporate some kind of sprint sesson like a 1:2 min ratio into your workout... Keep on running...

Answer 6

they are pretty good, i think thats how i score too ;)

Answer 7

you will get better over time remember you are probably not going to run a 4 minute mile any time soon.

For me my goal for 2 miles would be to finish without keeling over.

Answer 8

I think you are doing pretty good but I'm not an expert at running.  I have been focusing on making goals and accomplishing them.

Sounds like you are off to a good start in seeking to make goals to reach for, so reach for the stars!