I got faster! (Without trying)

[CrimsonMama]

Hey! I know this program isn't about speed (despite the name) but some people still care about their speed and wanting to get faster.

I graduated C25k in February and my first thought was to work on my speed. However when I pushed myself I got injuries which actually prevented me from running for a few weeks! Nightmare!

So I concentrated on just running because I enjoy it and having the motto "slow and steady" in my mind to remind myself that just doing the run was more important than speed.

I have slowly increased my runs from 5k to 7k on a weekend and last weekend managed 8k! (That includes the two five min walks).

Anyways, I use Mapmyfitness when I run as I like it to tell me each 1k I pass. If I'm aiming for 6k I know at 3k to turn around.

It also tells me my pace-per-km. I didn't pay much attention? Some days I run better than others but it also depends on the route I take. But just recently I started noticing an improvement in time. I thought maybe because I haven't been doing my old route with hills but today I did that route and my time was still better than it used to be! I now run about a minute per km faster than I used to! And in a natural way (body getting stronger, more efficient) rather than trying to force it.

Anyways I remember when I used to be here more often people asking about speed so I thought I would come share that it WILL come. On its own. Just enjoy your runs!

[Seaside22 Graduate]

Thanks CrimsonMama - that's encouraging. I've just graduated and can't see how I can run any faster, so that's reassuring.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Getting miles on your legs is how you get faster.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I looked at this recently too... my tracker gives me monthly starts, and my average pace has been slowly improving month on month with very little effort, if anything I’m putting less effort into most runs than I did at graduation.

It’s through the work you’re doing though... running 8k in itself means you can run 5k faster. Running further will increase your potential 5k pace much more than any speed sessions. My mate always peaks his parkrun times in May and October... after his marathons in April and September.

Happy running.

[CrimsonMama in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Whatever it is I am chuffed! I've decided to finally make the leap over to Bridge 2 10k and aim for that! If that speeds up my pace for the 5k that's even better! Although it's not my main goal.

Its funny but as you said regarding less effort... Sometimes I am going along in a really comfy nice rhythm and I swear I am slower than normal because it feels so easy-paced but its those runs that come up my best pace! More so than if I part-sprint. I wonder if when you push yourself and speed up you go slower on the recovery so overall you are actually slower than a steady even constant pace?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to CrimsonMama]

I think the less we have to think about keeping the pace down (or up) the smoother that means the run is. When I’m constantly adjusting it tends to mean a slower run. I think the brain sees less conscious input as “slow”