Training pace?

grumpyfitness
grumpyfitness Posts: 15 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I am trying to improve my race times and have been doing some speed work. I used the calculator on Runners World to determine the pace.....but I based it on my current level (they have you put in a recent race time and it calculates the correct pace for different training runs). However, my confusion is should I use my current race time or my goal race time to determine what training pace I need to run? It seems that if I use my goal time that it will give me a pace that will get me to my goal....if I just use my current time, then I won't improve as much. But I am also worried that if I use a goal time, then the pace will be too difficult to maintain. Anyone have any suggestions?

Replies

  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Use your current race time as the calculator should give you paces that you can handle at your current level of conditioning. If you use your goal time the intensity may prove too high increasing the risk of injury.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Train according to your current fitness for best results in improving your running performance.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Also, remember to support that speed work with lots of slow, easy running. Slow, easy miles are the best way to increase your overall pace. Speed work should be limited to one to two times per week tops.
  • rumijs
    rumijs Posts: 218 Member
    If you haven't already, join the long distance runners group on here. Lot's of this topic covered for various goals and very helpful :)
  • grumpyfitness
    grumpyfitness Posts: 15 Member
    Thanks, I didn't know there was long distance runners group. Also, thanks for other comments.....yes, I do put in lots of long slow runs....at least one long run on the weekends. And I try to do speed stuff twice a week....and try to do hill work once per week too. Thinking I might be overdoing it.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    grumpyfitness wrote: »
    Thanks, I didn't know there was long distance runners group. Also, thanks for other comments.....yes, I do put in lots of long slow runs....at least one long run on the weekends. And I try to do speed stuff twice a week....and try to do hill work once per week too. Thinking I might be overdoing it.

    I recommend (to anyone that will listen) picking up a copy of Matt Fitzgerald's "80/20 Running". It's basically a type of training advocated by many other famous running coaches: That 80% of your running should be done at a slow, comfortable pace. After reading this book, I realized I was running too fast. I slowed down and got great results. By doing most of my training runs at a 9:00-9:45 pace, I was able to get my marathon PR under 9:00/mile and my HM PR under 8:00/mile. The concept can be a bit hard to grasp at first, but it works.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories