It's a mental thing.. (Read 880 times)

At least I think it is. Looking at my log, I certainly see small improvements on my times without really trying or doing any real speedwork. Intervals here and there with some cruises thrown in. However, I'm starting to get frustrated as it seems my runs all fall within the same paces. Do I need to make a bigger effort of pushing myself more? Okay, on my run yesterday I picked up my pace and felt fine doing it- no hard effort but certainly had to remind myself to pick it up. Have I just fallen into a pattern of running the same pace? Should I have one or two runs a week where I push myself harder, not hard hard, but harder than what I run now? I know I can do it and I certainly don't feel run down or tired after my runs. I know the majority of my runs should be easy..I can comfortably do intervals with a 9:15 pace without feeling like I'm gasping for air( which also leads me to..should my pace for intervals be faster since I don't feel too terribly taxed ), so should I use that as a gauge for knowing what my potential is? Perhaps I'm making much ado about nothing. I was very excited today because my run was almost 20seconds faster than some of my other easy runs. OR Do I just continue to run and my pace will eventually get faster without having to think about moving faster? Does that make sense? I know what I mean to say but am having hard time putting it into words..

I just quickly looked at your log and here is something I immediately noticed: In December you ran a long run of 5 miles at 13:19 pace. In March you ran a long run of 8.9 miles at 11:47 pace. That's only 90 days and a HUGE improvement. Just be patient. As Scout wrote your pace will naturally get faster and I just cited proof. IMHO new runners (<1 year) shouldn't worry about any speedwork, intervals, tempo runs, etc. just continue to build your aerobic base and you will gain tons of speed as you become more fit. relax! year)="" shouldn't="" worry="" about="" any="" speedwork,="" intervals,="" tempo="" runs,="" etc.="" just="" continue="" to="" build="" your="" aerobic="" base="" and="" you="" will="" gain="" tons="" of="" speed="" as="" you="" become="" more="" fit.=""></1 year) shouldn't worry about any speedwork, intervals, tempo runs, etc. just continue to build your aerobic base and you will gain tons of speed as you become more fit. relax!>

Hi ya'll and thanks- I know this..patience grasshopper. I do have a race scheduled for 4/5..It is a 10miler. My log here only goes back to December..but I have been training seriously since August and running off and on since my early 20's. I do see that I am getting better..I guess I just needed someone else to tell me I am. Thanks..Patience..patience..

Looking at your increase in mileage this month I can say you will definately be see seom faster times soon. Since you are running more miles there is no need to increase the pace of your easy runs. I run most of my easy runs at 9:00 per mile pace and I run 6:40 per mile in 5k races. It could be your times are not getting faster in training because you are running so many more miles now that you are tired. Maybe keep the miles the same or drop down for a few weeks and see if you get some energy back. As someone said enter a race and you will be pleased to have other people to use as pace setters. Run the 1st third of a race at a comfortable pace.

nothing really new to add but just to reiterate what others have already said... patience... It's hard but definitely worth it. Just curious... what race are you running in April?

Hi there..I am running a race local to me here in PA.called The Fools Run.