training as a SLOW marathon runner in Nashville

[@IfKellyOCan]

Thank you for posting this! All I see are shorts of people running and saying next mile..6 minutes. It gets so frustrating seeing this content when I run a much slower pace. Great video!

[@jon_hopkins]

That’s honestly why I posted it because of the same frustration 😂 thank you for watching :)

[@coleg2902]

Thank you! Most of us are slower runners. We love the sport even though most running media ignores us entirely. I just subscribed!

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you!!! And honestly that’s why I started making videos about being slow. 🤷🏻‍♂️😅

[@stevet2711]

Keep it up! You represent the majority of long distance runners.

[@jon_hopkins]

Thanks! Will do! 😊

[@CRAZYABOUTKAWAII]

I love this!! I ran a 12 min mile and then two 14min miles and I was so proud of myself. Cause my fastest mile I’d ever done was 10 mins but i can’t ever hold that pace 😂

[@plantbasedpixels]

This video popped up on my recommended and I wanted to say that I found it very relaxing and inspirational! I'm training for my first marathon but I am super out of shape so I am a slow runner. My marathon is in July so I have a lot of time to improve. :) Good luck with the rest of your training

[@jon_hopkins]

Awesome! I'm sure you'll crush it in July!

[@emilyahern6354]

Oh thank you for posting this. I'm a slow runner, slower than you but I recently did my first 10km and I am just as much a runner doing that in an hour and a half as the person doing it in 45 minutes.

[@jon_hopkins]

Yes you are! That’s amazing!! Keep it up!

[@stephensircy4136]

Fellow Nashville runner. This has been my route for years. It holds a special place in my life. Loved the video and good luck in your training!

[@restamper1]

Seriously thank you for posting this! Im not a fast or natural runner but have gotten into it. So of course my algorithm started showing me the runners doing 5-6 minute miles and its hard to not feel like that ks everyone but me! Would love to see more of your training journey.

[@jon_hopkins]

That’s exactly why I made this video, I know it’s frustrating seeing all those crazy fast runners! 😄

[@belladonnajohnson4082]

Yes, us back of the packers need this reassurance. Running is running no matter the pace.

[@jon_hopkins]

Haha I love that! I’m gonna use that from now on 😂

[@bethmcnally2282]

Your video is super refreshing! Run for fun and dont obsess over speed…awesome. Ive run a ton of marathons and got burnt out. Just started running again after six years. I trying to find the fun again…at a chill pace. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you for watching!!! I’m glad it helped :)

[@astonward339]

Excellent video!! Love your discipline, enjoy this beautiful journey.

[@stoppre88]

I appreciate this type of real content. Really makes me rethink my approach to running

[@drudown7628]

I’ve beat cancer 2X now in the last three years, back to racing again and trying to accept I can’t beat 3h15m right now, I needed to see this ✝️🙏🏼

[@dchristolear]

Finally a you tuber for me!

[@roberttaylor8514]

Super mellow and entertaining bro👍 literally run the same paces as you...glad im not the only one

[@jon_hopkins]

Haha that’s amazing!! And me too :)

[@cbarnhart76]

First and foremost well done for getting out there and putting in those miles. Not everyone can or will ever try that but you did and that says a lot about you. Thank you for sharing your session with those of us who are in a similar physical ability. As others have said it is refreshing to see content from someone who isn't a well above average (sub 3hr marathon) or elite level runner. As a slower runner myself I often feel discouraged when I see the faster runners or when I struggle a little more than normal during a training run, but I know in the end I'm doing this for me and I'm only racing myself, not anyone else.With that DON'T ever feel embarrassed about your stats. One quick question for you, are you using an external HR monitor with your Garmin, or just relying on the optical senson on the watch?

[@Kaz.2719]

Nice run! I’ve run two marathons in around 12 minute pace so all my training runs were around that pace or a little slower. Seeing all these runners on KZbin running 6 minute miles was really sad lol so I’m glad to see others running the same pace I run. Like you said, only thing that really matters is personal enjoyment

[@jon_hopkins]

That’s so true every time I went on KZbin I just saw guys hitting sub 3s and made me feel like less of a runner. So I decided to make videos about being “slow” haha

[@hirosuzaku]

As another slow runner, I really enjoyed this video. Running is very hard for me and does not come easily.

[@jon_hopkins]

Same!! And thank you for watching :)

[@alisyed5687]

cool vlog, i really like how genuine it is

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@katealice3299]

I needed this 😌

[@jon_hopkins]

im so glad it helped you!

[@ChasingMajors]

Just caught your videos for the first time. I'm in the slower runner camp. Ran my first marathon at 9min pace back in 2020. I'm currently in marathon prep for my second in February 2025. and Im struggling to hit sub 10min miles during my speed runs. Anyway keep up the good work and I'll be watching/supporting from Denver.

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you so much for watching! Good luck with your marathon prep! also i love denver!! my wife and i want to go back soon!!

[@OmahaTonyG]

The average time for a marathon is like 4 1/2 hours. I know a lot of the influencers are elite level or sub, elite level athletes, but that doesn’t represent the reality of who actually is running a marathon.

[@stellabellaishella]

Love the running content! Thanks for sharing

[@jon_hopkins]

Thanks for watching :)

[@jasongratkowski9469]

Very nice video. Cool scenery, and music background was spot on. Good luck in February. 👍

[@jon_hopkins]

Thanks, appreciate it! 😊

[@dapiddiboy]

Slow runner here too! Thanks for this. I am not alone as a slow runner!!! There is actually more than just me!?

[@Wtb19564]

Great video… It is good to see nicely made videos from people who run slower. In the late 80’s I was on the 4 hour marathon mark, but as time goes on my “goal” is to break 5 hours. But still doing it at 69!

[@jon_hopkins]

That's amazing!! Keep going! 🙏🏻 and im glad you enjoyed the vid, thanks for watching!!

[@essayem-creative]

Fellow Nashville runner. That bridges is one of my favorite places to run.

[@jon_hopkins]

It’s so pretty!!!

[@waeulbr]

Thanks for the representation!!

[@EdPaoletta]

Hey man, I’m also a slow runner in Nash. I live on the other side of Bearded, happy to run with ya whenever!

[@jon_hopkins]

oh thats awesome!! and definatly man! id love some company on those long runs haha

[@Mixwell1983]

Hey I'm not a marathon runner but I am a bit North of you in Clarksville and I'm a new runner as of a few months ago.. i used to really enjoy it and since meal prepping since mid June I've decided to get some healthy exercise in and in my early 20s used to enjoy running. I'm not doing it for weight loss because that is mostly diet but to build up the aerobic endurance and genuinely I enjoy running despite now being 285lbs and 6 fr at 41 years old. In Clarksville we had our first ever 1/2 marathon and 5k with a 1mile fun run. Decided to do the fun run and enjoyed it so ive signed myself and the family up for our mid Dec 5k Christmas light run in a few weeks and am excited. I hope to explore and do more 5ks and eventually longer runs like 10k and even 1/2 marathons as I grow stronger. I'm kinda hooked on running now and if anything have become more shoe nerdy in running shoes. Currently have the Novablast 3, nimbis 25 by Ascis and the New Balance more v4... I'm loving seeing the progress and enjoying my runs (except when on the treadmill cuz it's getting super cold😂😂)

[@jon_hopkins]

That’s amazing!!! And I have some ASICS too! Love them almost as much as my brooks haha and I feel that I hate running when it’s like 20 outside haha 😂

[@maryfrancesmcdaniel8565]

Thank you for sharing.

[@jon_hopkins]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@GriffRuns]

Interesting take man, I love it! Let me know if you want to get a run in sometime.

[@nolangalido]

Love it! What camera are you using on your run?

[@redheadgoeshealthy9505]

New follower here - very inspirational and awesome!!!

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you so much! :)

[@emilymurphy2926]

You are fast . Great job!

[@jon_hopkins]

haha thank you !! 😂

[@MikeJames-b5r]

Love the video! May I ask the background music I love it. Is it maybe some replacements stuff in the beginning? Keep running free my friend!

[@jon_hopkins]

the music is all from artlist and thanks for watching!!!

[@InfiniteQuest86]

The majority of us are running those numbers. Elite and sub-elite is not most people. Embrace it! We need more of us posting stuff.

[@jon_hopkins]

We do!! Thank you for watching!

[@charlestonmusc]

Thank you for this video, from an avg runner.

[@jon_hopkins]

Thank you for watching 🙏🏻😊

[@JimG89887]

One thing I’ve learned about running is that your pace doesn’t make you a runner. Running makes you a runner. I got so caught up in pace and other peoples paces and trying to be faster and it kind of ruined it. Now I just run. A lot of it’s I won’t even look at my watch or even bring it. Just run whatever feels good.

[@jon_hopkins]

I totally agree, running just for the sake of running is the best!

[@chalupawithfiresauce]

Thanks for the video. Is it legit to get miles in downtown Nashvikle as a visitor? Somewhere between 6-10 miles.

[@ryanblackburn]

Hey! Fellow Nashvillian and runner here! Spent many hours over the summer doing my long runs in the same spots you filmed. What race are you prepping for?

[@jon_hopkins]

haha thats amazing!! and its one out in cali. the Huntington beach marathon

[@322-Dota2]

the funniest thing, runs are like 3-10 per year, so basically why ruining experience by finishing fast. I will never be the first, but if I run in 1 hour instead of 2 I will have 2x times less to enjoy the event. Also run is main even t of a month I don't have anything better to do anyways. And one more bonus is regeneration, I can live life if I run it slow, if I run fast I need 2-3 days just to recover from it. So I can win 1 hour here but lose 72 hours there.

[@jon_hopkins]

Haha my thoughts exactly slow= getting my moneys worth haha 😂

[@titoivan]

Awesome video. Quick question man, are you using your Osmo pocket 3 while running? I’m a newbie runner and used insta360 acepro before with no problem. Now, I’m thinking to use it but I’m scared.

[@jon_hopkins]

I am!! I just put tape over the charging port and the sd card slot mostly because I sweat a lot haha but the pocket 3 is a perfect running cam!

[@titoivan]

@@jon_hopkins Thank you!

[@TJ-pc3mx]

Your numbers look the same as mine 😂😂😂😂

[@matthiassventoest6800]

if you keep up this type of content, you may mess around and get a new subscriber.. keep up the good work.

[@jon_hopkins]

Thanks, will do! 🙏🏻

[@tarnel9]

This is just me, but I find using the term "slow" is a relative term. If you run 12 minute miles and say you're slow, someone else might run 18 minutes miles. How does that make them feel? I prefer to identify myself as a "not so fast" runner

[@jon_hopkins]

I agree it’s just slow for my goals and standards I’ve set for myself.

[@tarnel9]

@@jon_hopkins if this is your first marathon, the best advice is not to run your first for time and just the experience the joy of it.

[@jon_hopkins]

Great advice!! Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@cbarnhart76]

@@tarnel9 I can 100% agree with this. I ran my 1st the end of October and was hoping to be in the 4:15:00-4:10:00 range of finishing but actually finished 4:30:13. Even though I didn't hit my time goal I absolutely loved the experience of running the Marine Corps Marathon.

[@mathmagician155]

U know whats funny my university name is called Johns Hopkins University

[@alisyed5687]

omg u go to jhu, can you please give me advice, im a junior and reallyyyyy wanna go there or somewhere similar

[@mathmagician155]

@alisyed5687 get leadership roles in school clubs or the community (whichever is possible), try to make your application unique (whether that be through your essays, extracurriculars, etc.) bc thousands of people will have a good gpa and test scores so you'll need to stand out if you want a good chance

[@alisyed5687]

@@mathmagician155 can i ask you for a bit more advice because i have a really specific situation

[@alisyed5687]

@@mathmagician155 so essentially, my mom (who i love) started her three year medical residency two years ago, 500 miles away (sw virginia) from where im originally from (new york). it was a smaller town so i was really hesistant to move there and for the first 2 years of her residency (my 9th and 10th grade year), i stayed in new york even though my father wasn't really the best just because i didn't really wanna go through so much change. but this summer, i decided that id take that leap solely because i didn't want to leave my mom alone for three whole years. so essentially, im now living here in sw virginia and ive been doing really good in my classes (i think my lowest grade is a 96) and i also did really good 9th and 10th grade year. i have 8 aps and 2 de's so far but i only have a 1500 sat which i feel might hinder my application. also, though, ive done a lot of extracurriculars here even though my mom is really busy and she can rarely drop me off anywhere. in new york during 9th and 10th grade, i was kinda depressed so i wouldnt really do any sort of ec's and also because i literally could not get transportation. but now, im getting involved in my community and trying new things but im not sure if it'll be enough. and also my really old and sick grandparents are over and staying for a few months so it's been even harder. so i just wanted to ask for some advice and what i should really do. (sorry this was so long)

[@mathmagician155]

@alisyed5687 common app has an additional information section or something like that where you can explain how outside circumstances such as yours affected your app. You should definitely mention some of that there as a reason why u weren't super involved in the beginning of high school just. Also this could be a good essay topic for your common app as you could frame it in a way about how you persevered through difficult circumstances and managed to make the best out of what you had. You could also write about finally accepting change and moving with your mom and how you grew through that process etc. etc. Basically you have a lot of potential things you can write about that can show really good qualities about yourself (perseverance, strong mental mindset, how you approached a difficult situation, compassion, ability to adapt). Colleges are somewhat understanding about personal circumstances bc they know that some kids have things easier than others. Also your SAT won't hinder your application. It might not really add to it if you're going for top 10 schools but you're at at least the 25% so you're fine. Colleges wouldn't auto reject your application because of it. Your course load and gpa are good so as long as you keep it up you're fine on the academic front. The strength of your application needs to be in your essays and rec letters. They are really good opportunities to show who you are as a person. I wouldn't worry too much I'd say you're in a decent place right now. Do you know who you want to get your rec letters from?

[@desiraesifuentez5765]

Great work! Slow(er) runner here 🙋🏻‍♀️🩷 I did hear you mention you got dizzy, have you tried the SaltStick electrolyte tabs? They could possibly help with that. Thanks for your content. Happy running 🙏🏼

[@jon_hopkins]

ohhh ill have to give those a shot, thank you for the recommendation!!