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| Why a 20 minute 5k ? (Read 505 times) |
RunAsics view log |
posted: 6/1/2008 at 5:22 PM |
Out of complete ignorance, I asked myself this question the other day. It was my 5k goal when I started road racing many years ago but I can't recall the reasoning behind it...
OK, it's a nice number and equates to a pace of 4 mins per kilometer but here in the US road races have mile markers and the kilometer is something that other people use. Just think of the confusion if there were kilometer rather than mile markers in your local 5k...
I came to the conclusion that someone told me it was a decent time after Google failed to find a suitable answer. Same deal for a 40 minute 10k and a 6 minute mile.
Anyone have a half decent answer? |
"Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin, unless this is the action, which it is."
5k PR: 18:15 (2008); 8k PR: 30:19 (2008); 10k PR: 39:11 (2008); 10M PR: 1:04:18 (2008); HM PR: 1:28.03 (2008) |
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 5:26 PM |
| It's a nice round number. |
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 5:33 PM |
| Quote from mikeymike on 6/1/2008 at 5:26 PM: It's a nice round number.
And it takes a fair amount of work in order for most people to break that barrier.
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| "The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat" - Bill Squires
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 6:33 PM |
| It sounds better to say that "I broke 20 (19, 18, etc)" than "I broke 21:45 (18:36, whatever)". |
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| view log Junior Amphibian |
posted: 6/1/2008 at 7:37 PM |
| Don't the US Marines expect the new recruits to run 5k under 20 minutes? |
| "People ask why I run. I say, 'If you have to ask, you will never understand'. It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels." - Erin Leonard |
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 8:01 PM |
| I have not done it since high school. |
Race Reports and Training Summary
"You've got to get to the state in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing" -- Arthur Ashe
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 8:23 PM |
| Because........It is there |
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 8:59 PM |
| Quote from RunAsics on 6/1/2008 at 5:22 PM:
Anyone have a half decent answer?
A "half" answer is that age 40 I could do a 5K under 20 (i.e. half of my age.)
A "full" answer is that back then I could do a 10K under my age, too.
[both the age/2 for 5K and age for 10K get easier as you get older  ]
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 9:25 PM |
| Quote from renumeratedfrog on 6/1/2008 at 7:37 PM: Don't the US Marines expect the new recruits to run 5k under 20 minutes?
There is no way...They'd have very few recruits...
I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that you are incorrect...That just seems like a really fast requirement for the USMC...
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 9:26 PM |
| Quote from renumeratedfrog on 6/1/2008 at 7:37 PM: Don't the US Marines expect the new recruits to run 5k under 20 minutes?
The Marine Corps PFT includes a three mile run. For running that in 18:00 minutes, a male Marine will receive the maximum no. of points, 100. I don't recall what the slowest permitted time is. The Marine Corps expects you to run faster than you do irrespective of your current time, e.g., if you are on pace for a 19 minute PFT, your DI or sergeant instructor will be wearing you out for not running 18:30, etc. |
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posted: 6/1/2008 at 9:34 PM
modified: 6/1/2008 at 9:35 PM |
| Quote from jaybar on 6/1/2008 at 9:26 PM: The Marine Corps PFT includes a three mile run. For running that in 18:00 minutes, a male Marine will receive the maximum no. of points, 100. I don't recall what the slowest permitted time is. The Marine Corps expects you to run faster than you do irrespective of your current time, e.g., if you are on pace for a 19 minute PFT, your DI or sergeant instructor will be wearing you out for not running 18:30, etc.
In order to pass the semi-annual fitness test, Marines must perform the minimum acceptable performance requirements shown in the chart below. Additionally, they must have enough overall points to meet the 3rd class fitness requirements (see below).
Minimum Fitness Requirments for Each PFT Event - Males
Age Pull-Ups Crunches 3-Mile Run
17-26 3 50 28:00
27-39 3 45 29:00
40-45 3 45 30:00
46+ 3 40 33:00
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blfitmale.htm
MTA: Link
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posted: 6/2/2008 at 1:52 AM |
To give a Canadian perspective, if I ran a race and it was marked in miles I'd be really taken aback.
Imagine trying to figure out a pace for 6.25 miles-no thanks!
This fall I am trying to run 1:45 for a half marathon, even though its an odd distance all I have to do is run 5 minute klicks (Kilometers), and somewhere along the way save up 100 metres. Even I can keep track of that.
As for the 20 minute question, I suppose its a challenging goal, and a nice round number.
Simon.
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