Questioning 5k fast starts again??

Last night in the 5k I ran, I went out fast again on the first mile, they had a timer at every mile and I hit it at 5:30 with the leaders really not too far ahead of me...
then the fade as usual, to the 6:30/6:40s again.

Then with about .6 miles left here comes the high school track team again, happens every race it seems, cruising by me, im 34 years old so im just happy to be up there, but i was never in cross country or track in high school. is this something they are coached to do, run at about 6 and then push it if they have anything left.
a majority of them finished between 18:30 and 19:00 which puts them at a 6 minute or a little more, mile


really made me wonder if i am going out too fast?? there was point, granted it was on bridge, where my garmin said 7:00, lucky i looked and was able to speed up a little..


i guess i just need to run more miles and get some speed training in, thats what got me to this point. i turn 35 in september and would really like to be running in the 18:30 range every race..

times really dont matter, everyone has their own goals, im wondering about myself and my abilities, i really think im going out too fast if that much of a fade is happening, but then again im not sure, thats why im asking.

goodness knows I'm not expert on the stink'n 5k but.... why don't you try a slow start. the beauty of them is that there are many...and sometimes you need to play with them to find what works for you.

did you read that art I put into training section by McMillan? I think that explains exactly how you should run a 5k.

I also think that a fade is too be expected. that if you are not fading somewhat then you are not running to your best ability. the real trick is to dial in and hang on.

another thing I think is that you are never going to be happy with what you have right now. As a runner we always look back and see what we could have done should have done that sort of thing. As long as you are honestly doing your best...then that is your best. for now.

another thing...glad I chimed in eh? it is stink'n hot out there this summer. hotter than normal...wait until fall...I promise a sweeter time. the perfect race has to be given to you by the gods so to speak....if you are trained right then the rest is up to the running gods. the gods are happier in the fall...more people training for long races

My running coach(es) have always encouraged up to punch it the last quarter mile. No matter what. It's not about time, it's about motivation. There's something about crossing that finish line at top speed....

But, if you're really worried about improving your time, do some interval speed training. Run your usual training pace for two miles, then for a mile bump up your pace by 30 seconds or so. Then a mile at the usual pace, mile at bumped pace and so on. Finish with a cool down mile.

I'd suggest only running one speed drill run a week.

Also, by the sheer awesome of running in cooler weather, your time will improve in the fall no matter what you do.

That is fast also a good accessories store is faster than them corp