Slowest Runner Contest

So here is a unproven method for slower people to improve their pace. Perceived effort really doesn't give me accurate ideas of how I am doing. But I use MapMyRun and it does announce to me my pace, avg pace etc at the mile markers. One way to increase your pace without a lot of effort is just to run 20 steps BIGGER. And then go back to your conversational pace for a while. Then do another 20 steps BIGGER. I can easily take an entire minute off my mile pace just by deciding to do these 20 step "sprints". It's not even pole to pole or sign to sign but just I count off 10 left footfalls. Some days when I am feeling really energetic I might start with 20, then do 25, 30, 35 etc over time. Sometimes on the down hills, sometimes on the up hills. What's strange is sometimes I just can do the bigger pace for a lot longer than counting steps. And sometimes not. There are days I can't even do the 20 steps or even want to. I just tend to listen to how I **feel** as far as pace and distance. So there is never really any stress over HAVING to do a long or a faster run. It either happens or it doesn't. I also notice that the first 3 miles are NEVER my best, and I can increase my pace on miles 3- whatever a lot easier. Perhaps its because I don't do a walking warm up.