Unconsciously going faster while running....

Im_NotPerfect
Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I started running about 2 months ago and I've been able to get myself to a steady 10 minute mile and can typically run for 30 minutes straight. The past 2 runs however, I've suddenly had to stop about 15 or so minutes into my run. I can't get my stride down (to the music I have), etc. Today I realized why....I'm unconsciously running faster than my normal 10 minute mile!! When I got done with my walk, I was a full 3 minutes less than normal.

It's been SO frustrating because 1/2 way through I had to walk for about a minute...and that hasn't happened to me in WEEKS. And it concerned me because I have my first 5K coming up this saturday and my entire goal is to run the entire thing without having to walk.

And while I love this progress without really having to try, how do I get myself to slow down until after my 5K this weekend? After this one, I will work on the faster speed for my next one.

Replies

  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    Have you been to rockmyrun.com? It'll help you find music for your pace, and I like to run to the beat, though I have the opposite problem you do. I'm too slow!
  • lwoods34
    lwoods34 Posts: 302 Member
    I am traininig for 2 half marathons and I am having the same issue right now. I can run a comfortable pace of 10min/miles but every run I do I am running anywhere between a 9:30 or 9:42min/mile and for some miles I have even done a 9:20! That's great speed for shorter distances but I don't think I can hold that pace for 13.1 miles without burning out. Last Saturday I did a 9miler and by the time I got to 7 miles my legs were getting tight because my speed was too fast!

    What I've been trying to do is listen to music that has a slower beat to it so I will run slower. I also wear a garmin forerunner so I know how fast I'm going. I check it often and if I'm going to fast I just force myself to slow down because in the long run it's going to pay off running at the slower pace. I've even had to say it out loud as I'm running to slow down and that has helped me a lot.
  • FTClown
    FTClown Posts: 181
    Try a specific playlist. Find something that can help you keep a rhythm that you can follow to while running. Maybe that'll help
  • MMMendoza007
    MMMendoza007 Posts: 157 Member
    This is going to sound so retarded. When I was running, I had trouble with my pace. I would listen to one song the entire 5 miles I ran...."I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbit. It was the only thing that didn't have me nearly passing out. LOL!

    (Don't tell anyone I told you this.)
  • Cassaaaaandra
    Cassaaaaandra Posts: 184 Member
    If you are interested in running faster use on of your running days to do sprints. its a nice compliment to your workout.
  • Discoveri
    Discoveri Posts: 435 Member
    Have you been to rockmyrun.com? It'll help you find music for your pace, and I like to run to the beat, though I have the opposite problem you do. I'm too slow!

    Thanks for that link! I have been trying to keep up my pace (I am super slow) and was having problems finding music that would go to my beat.
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    during your 5K run you'll be around so many people that it may keep you conscious of your running more.

    however, with that being said, I find running next to a bunch of people extremely distracting - all different paces, strides, breathing, noises....I love the thought of running in races, but I can't figure out how to do it without all those pesky people ruining my "in the zone" ...

    I've decided if I run races it will have to be for fun only - no serious timing or 'zoning out' until I can desensitize myself to the surroundings.

    good luck! you will probably be hyper-vigilant about your running as to where this may not be an issue though.
  • bago08
    bago08 Posts: 360 Member
    Ive always felt that starting slow.. the first mile or so until your muscles get loose and your joints lubricate and you can get a nice cadence going is the best way to go. You will more than make up for it later in the run when the endorphins start kicking in. For example if you normally run 10 mins miles maybe mile one or at least the first half mile run at 11 min mile pace and let your legs and lungs pick up the pace on their own. If you start out at the pace you wanna run you more likely run the risk of tired lungs and legs before your endorphins kick in.
    Good Luck with your first 5K that is such a gratifying accomplishment
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I know everyone's goal is to "run the whole thing," but if you can run/walk at a faster average pace than you can just run... why not embrace the run/walk?
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    Congrats on starting running. It is such an accomplishment!
    I had the same problem. I went from running on a treadmill to running outside. The treadmill is controlled by buttons of course and outside you just.. run. I had to make a habit of consciously slowing down every few minutes until I got used to running faster.
    I've since then broke my foot so I'm down to biking or walking like a turtle, but I cant wait to get back at running someday!
    Good luck!
  • tlblood
    tlblood Posts: 473 Member
    This is going to sound so retarded. When I was running, I had trouble with my pace. I would listen to one song the entire 5 miles I ran...."I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbit. It was the only thing that didn't have me nearly passing out. LOL!

    (Don't tell anyone I told you this.)

    I love that song!
  • rlmadrid
    rlmadrid Posts: 694 Member
    Try a specific playlist. Find something that can help you keep a rhythm that you can follow to while running. Maybe that'll help

    This! I listen to something heavy on the drums... Iron Maiden is my top choice if that's your thing. Final Frontier and Brave New World hold a good pace.
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    This is going to sound so retarded. When I was running, I had trouble with my pace. I would listen to one song the entire 5 miles I ran...."I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbit. It was the only thing that didn't have me nearly passing out. LOL!

    (Don't tell anyone I told you this.)

    I love that song!

    not going to lie, for awhile I was listening to a Freaky Friday Linsday Lohan song on repeat bc it kept pace. :/ "Ultimate" embarassing!
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Try running without the music and pay attention to your what your body is telling you. Listen to your breathing. You'll know when you have sped up because you breathing will be quicker.

    Another alternative is to get a GPS watch so you can see your pace and adjust accordingly.
  • Giraffe33991
    Giraffe33991 Posts: 430 Member
    Add distance to your runs. Tell yourself you are running for 45 minutes and work up to around 60 minutes. Before you know it your pace will increase as will your ability to maintain that pace!

    I'm still slow & normally run anywhere from 9:15 - 10:00 training runs, but my race mile pace is as low as 8:30! I'm hoping to get it down to 7-ish but I know that will take time as my body needs to build up to it.

    Good luck!
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    When I run faster than normal, I will start to breathe heavy, and that I've learned is not conducive to running long distances.
  • csinicole18
    csinicole18 Posts: 1
    First of all, congrats on running! That alone is an accomplishment to be proud of!

    I have the same problem as you. I'm training for a marathon now, and really have to focus on starting out slower or else I burn out way too fast. What has really helped me is my Timex Marathon GPS watch ($99) which shows me real-time pace. If I'm anything less than 10 min/mile pace, I slow down. Has helped me tremendously!
  • a_stronger_steph
    a_stronger_steph Posts: 434 Member
    Congrats on your running progress! :D

    I'm wondering if you have a smartphone (or access to one, or a GPS watch)? If so, I'd highly recommend downloading the RunKeeper (or similar) app that uses GPS to track your location and speed. You can set it to chime in periodically with your current and average speed or pace. Alternatively, a GPS watch would display those for you.

    If you don't have either, it may be worth getting a GPS watch if you're going to get even more "into" running and training for races, but unfortunately they can be on the pricey side.

    Also, be warned that you'll probably find yourself running even a bit faster than you have been recently, at the race - especially at the start, when everyone's zipping and raring to go! Of course, that's part of what makes races fun - you get this extra burst of adrenaline to help speed you along. ;) But just be conscious of not getting too caught up with the "speed bunnies" at the start!

    Good luck with your race (and other races in the future!).
  • funpilot56
    funpilot56 Posts: 100
    Try running without music and just enjoy the run, the surroundings, and if in the woods, the sounds. I know that listening to music helps a lot of people get thru running workouts, but for us old timers that ran prior to headphones, earbuds, boomboxes (yes I actually saw someone running while carrying a boombox), you can really get into your pace and monitor your breathing and effort so you won't run as fast, although I would think that running faster may be a goal down the line. If your goal is to not walk for your race, just concentrate on that and keep saying....I am not going to walk. Have fun in your first 5K and enjoy the atmosphere.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Try running without the music and pay attention to your what your body is telling you. Listen to your breathing. You'll know when you have sped up because you breathing will be quicker.

    Another alternative is to get a GPS watch so you can see your pace and adjust accordingly.


    ^^^ this

    When I'm going for a slower pace I'll consciously breath in for 4 steps and out for 4 steps - it forces you to slow down a bit. (The speeding up is a really common thing to do, even after 4 years of running I have to pay attention to my pace, even though the GPS serves more as confirmation than anything else).
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I use Jog Log. I can set the intervals that it calls out my info. If you set it to every 5 minutes, it will call out your pace or speed, or whatever you want. I use that to adjust my speed. I too run out of steam if I go too fast. I really need my Jog Log to call out my info. I have mine set to call out duration, distance, current speed, and average speed.
  • freew67
    freew67 Posts: 348 Member
    Try running without the music and pay attention to your what your body is telling you. Listen to your breathing. You'll know when you have sped up because you breathing will be quicker.

    Another alternative is to get a GPS watch so you can see your pace and adjust accordingly.

    I 2nd this tbh. I attempt to run sometimes with music and I will find myself going faster to the current song or getting out of step with breathing. Not always but sometimes, maybe I just have the music up to loud. lol

    Melanie- Once the race starts you will forget all about the people around you and run your own race. I just did my first 5K on Jul 4th and eventually I got around people my pace. Once I got in my happy place, I just kept up with them. I spent more time concentrating on my breathing and making sure I wasnt pushing to hard to early. My 2nd 5K is Aug 4th. All I can say is, sign up for one and do it. You wont regret it!
  • wwk10
    wwk10 Posts: 244 Member
    I got a runjing app for just this reason.
    Most of them will tell you your current pace.
    I tried several and settled on SportTracker (Android).
    The only thing I dont like about Sport Tracker is you can set it to tell you pace, but it keeps converting to MPH.
    So I dont know my pace; I know my mph.

    After using the app for several weeks, I now am much better at guaging my pace without using the app.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    That's why I ditched music. I now run without or listen to a book. It helps me run evenly, my heart rate actually stays within 10 bpm the entire run... I'll try that link though :happy:
  • Daisy_Cutter
    Daisy_Cutter Posts: 774
    Try running without the music and pay attention to your what your body is telling you. Listen to your breathing. You'll know when you have sped up because you breathing will be quicker.

    Another alternative is to get a GPS watch so you can see your pace and adjust accordingly.

    THIS^^^^

    I rarely run with music. I listen to my surroundings, count my foot-falls and focus on my body and the run. It's amazing!
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    When I first read the topic title, I thought this was about taking sleepwalking to a whole new level...

    :wink:
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    When I first read the topic title, I thought this was about taking sleepwalking to a whole new level...

    :wink:

    I vote subconscious as a better choice, but I like the thought of a sleepwalking 5k! anyone else in?
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    When I first read the topic title, I thought this was about taking sleepwalking to a whole new level...

    :wink:

    I vote subconscious as a better choice, but I like the thought of a sleepwalking 5k! anyone else in?

    (I was starting to feel bad that I inadvertently killed the entire thread with my comment.)
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