I hope this doesn’t sound a daft question. I did my first 7k at the weekend at an average pace of 6:20 min/km. Looking at my splits the pace wasn’t consistent. The first k was around 5:50, slowed in the middle and then increased toward the end.
My question is does it matter that the pace isn’t consistent or should I be aiming to keep a steady pace all the way throughout?
Thanks
One view is if you are looking for a fast pace , do not worry too much about going off fast, relax and go with it.You obviously can cope because you got through it and finished strong.🤔👍💥🏃♂️💥
It may be inexperience on my part, but I find it nearly impossible to maintain a constant pace. Recently I've tended to run the first k in 6 minutes and that is not a pace I can sustain, but I find it really uncomfortablly slow if I start at 7 min/k which is typically what I can do in the 3rd and 4th kilometres. Even if I do start slow, I still get even slower later on. I've never run 7k - I did 6.5 tonight, which is my furthest so far, and had slowed to 7'30" by the end. But running over 5 or 5.5k I do find my pace starts fast (relatively), dips in the middle then picks up when I know I'm near the end and don't need to save anything. Can't help with regard to whether that's normal or not but it's my experience so far - bear in mind I only graduated C25k a month ago though so I'm very much a rookie.
Just run at whatever comfortable pace you feel is right for you at the moment. Many reasons will contribute, from sleep pattern to hydration, terrain and wind, heat/cold/humidity and a few more, none too important in your (our) case. We are not professionals and are privileged to run for joy and entertainment only. Leave the pressures of timed runs to those who get paid for them. 
Cheers mrrun - running at a pace that feels right for me is what I'm going at the moment but the trouble with these longer runs is that they give you more time to think! On the 7k run I actually found myself near a group of other runners and they were all running as a pack - I felt a little self conscious but it did start me thinking about pace (as they were all running at around the same) and wondered if one were better than the other. Thanks for the advice Cheers
I find a similar thing sometimes, personally I set off too fast, panic in the middle I won’t get through it unless I slow right down then when I know the end is coming and know I’ll make it, I try and squeeze every little last bit out to the end.
I found running to music with a set BPM helps me not set off too fast. Loads to choose from on podrunner.com if thats your thing.
Yep that's exactly the same as me - I intentionally set off thinking about slowing it right down then the running app kicks in at 1km and I panic and slow it down to be sure I have enough juice in the tank -especially as I'm trying to increase the distance.
I wouldn't stress about it too much Paul. Consistency will come with time (he typed hopefully); as mrrun says, let the pros worry about metronomic grinding it out.
But if getting a consistent (rather than just faster) pace is important to you (and hell, that's no bad thing, okay) then Mike's YoureDoingGreatPet suggestion is a good one. Podrunner is a good resource for lots of "stick to the cadence" podcasts; the "music" is awful, but it does its job. Find one of hour-long podcasts at a reasonable BPM that matches your mid- to high-rate cadence and see how it grabs you.
There's something perversely comforting about seeing your run cadence graph a complete flat line 
Oh and have fun too!!
LoL - yes there was a little part of me that thought about that flat line. Not stressing just curious really. The longer runs mean you have more to ruminate and cogitate about and some of the things that do pop in to my brain sometimes are ridiculous such as - during the sunnier weather did you know that your shadow runs much slower than you think you are actually running :). Thanks for taking the time to respond - much appreciated
Hi Paul. Do you listen to music? Personally if I listen to people talking on a podcast I find my pace is more consistent ( slower than you still lol but faster than when I was listening to music!). It sounds like you’re doing great!
Thanks for that - not thought about a podcast (I do listen to music) - I'll try that next time.
Cheers
Let me know how it goes!
Hi Paul, well done for your progress so far. To me, your pace seems very good.
I also use Podrunner, the driving fixed tempo beat really helps me to maintain a constant-ish pace, though I would seriously question whether this could ever be called music 
From my very limited experience, and also from talking to experienced running friends, I would say what you're doing sounds reasonable to me, especially speeding up for the final k, maybe. Apparently it's good to leave enough in the tank for a nice fast finish, according to my very experienced running friend at church.
Again, well done, you'll be at 10k before you know it
Thanks Neil - in my head see myself getting to last 1km/500m and being able to up the pace with the Chariots of Fire music in the background and everyone i pass cheering me on. Unfortunately at the moment there is little left in the tank especially as I increase the run distance - then I'll know I've left enough in the tank :).
Increasing the distance as you are doing is hard. Increasing distance and pace is nigh-on impossible, at least for those of us who were still firmly on the couch a year ago. You just concentrate on the distance for now, the pace will come.
Just to encourage you, I have found since I hit 10k and stopped increasing my distance, my 5k pace is slowly improving
Thanks Neil - distance it is. Now that I have decided I can't wait to get to 10k - really looking forward to it. I'm saving the longer distances for the weekend so it is a short recovery run this evening. Thanks so much for you advice - really appreciate it
A steady pace is great, but to be honest your splits are in the norm. People often go off a bit fast in the ‘excitment’ If just starting a run etc (often also seen in races where you get carried along running with others until you realise that’s not your pace!), you then find your breathing and settle into a steady run, which is why your pace changed, and then towards the end, you’re feeling good, you’re in a rhythm, you realise you’ve got more in the tank, and boom, you go faster (or like me, you speed up because you’re excited/happy that it’s coming to an end and you want it over as fast as you can!). All perfectly normal.
Some people like negative splits, where each km you do is fast than the previous. This is probably the best way to go about it because you start off at your slowest and gradually build your pace so that it’s fastest at the end. It’s perfect for a race, and if that’s your ultimate goal, then practicing it during your training runs would be a good idea.
Apologies for any misspelling, I’m typing as I walk to work!
Hey - thanks for taking the time to respond on your way to work You've hit the nail on the head - breathing - that makes a lot sense to me now. It does take me about 5mins to get comfortable with the breathing which is the first time my running app chips in and lets me know my pace.
I like the idea of negative splits - but perhaps not just yet - Cheers
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