controlling your pace?

dekadai
dekadai Posts: 47 Member
Hi everyone,

It seems that every time I start c25k, I get to week 2 and because my pacing is out of wack I'm panting and ready to collapse by the end of the run. I get discouraged and stop running. I can tell that I'm going too fast, but I can't seem to slow down.

So how do you guys control your pacing?

Replies

  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    By being aware of your body. When you start to huff, puff and pant, slow down. Make yourself slow down. Then slow down some more. Your body will get used to the right pace if you show it the right pace.
    Remember that YOU set the pace. If you learn to do this now, it'll come back to help you in the future. Even now, after 2 years of running, I use my pacing to get stronger and go longer.

    Keep trying. Don't give up. You're going too fast but you're a step ahead of many other runners: you KNOW you're running too fast, many don't know this. Therefore, you CAN make that change in pace.

    Let us know how you do on your next run. Listen to your body. You're going to do great.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Shorten your pace, reduce your step frequency (cadence)

    That said I'm not good at pace control, frequently find myself going faster than I'm intending to.
  • Ishii19
    Ishii19 Posts: 109 Member
    Hmm just a thought - any way you could use a treadmill somewhere? Even if you don't have a gym sometimes if you say you're thinking about it you get some free passes... Or maybe someone you know has one you could use a couple times? I far prefer running outside but just thinking if you set a certain pace on the treadmill you are forced to run that speed - maybe just a few times would give you the feel of it then you could head back outdoors :)
  • tennisgirl444
    tennisgirl444 Posts: 57 Member
    Go way slower than you think. Go so slow that it's embarrassing.

    Finishing is more important than pace- pace can always come afterward.
  • superraachel
    superraachel Posts: 106 Member
    Do you run with music? There are a bunch of downloadable podcasts that play music that are all the same bpm. I found it helped to run to the (slow) beat when I was first starting so I didn't go too fast.
  • spa407
    spa407 Posts: 47 Member
    Totally agree! I've always considered myself a non runner. 6 years ago I worked C25K and kept running for 2 years. Fast forward to a week ago and I'm starting all over. Just slow your pace....you should be able to speak short sent es when you're running.
  • Alwayssohungry
    Alwayssohungry Posts: 369 Member
    I listened to painfully slow music. Then my dog had surgery and rehab for her back leg so I ran slowly following her pace. It taught me to lengthen my stride a bit and concentrate on form and now my calves don't ache so much.
  • caswilso
    caswilso Posts: 18
    Go way slower than you think. Go so slow that it's embarrassing.

    Finishing is more important than pace- pace can always come afterward.

    This. When I first started back in July, I thought a herd of turtles through peanut butter could probably run faster than me. But, I kept remembering everyone's advice to go slow and it definitely helped.

    Don't give up just yet! I've NEVER been a runner, but now I want to run all the time.