Do you prefer to push yourself to your limit or go slower in order to enjoy it more?

[ml11j4b]

From your experience do you prefer to really push yourself during your run to get the maximum fitness benefits out of it, or go at a more leisurely pace and really enjoy it?

[Babana Graduate]

I vary it really. I do intervals once a week and on the fast bits I really push myself and it is so difficult. On my longer runs (7-10K) I tend to go at a more leisurely pace but when I'm doing a 5k I try to run a little faster but not to exhaustion.

[Elizadolots Graduate]

I don't know what you are talking about! If I go any slower I'll be going backwards for sure. Yet I do feel that I am pushing myself. I am not at a level of fitness yet where there is anything in between, If I run, that is my limit.

[doggymum Graduate in reply to Elizadolots]

Me too!!

[sfb350 Graduate]

I think the C25K program works because it teaches you to pace yourself so that you can finish each run. When I was on the treadmill I would try and set myself faster sections for a minute or two at a time, or even just finish with my version of a sprint.

On longer distances I try and pace myself, it's better to start off slowly and build up pace later if you feel able. Sometimes I mix in a fast minute or two here and there, sometimes I need to walk but I usually try to walk on a flat, easy stretch and then run/jog up the next hill - it's all still good exercise and by not training intensively all the time you do lessen your chance of injury and it helps ensure that one rest day is sufficient (depending on how far you go).

At the moment, I'm trying to do a longer, slow run at the weekend but I'm doing training sessions at running club - hills, speed sessions, intervals - all of which, should eventually help with speed. To be honest, even at a slow pace I'm still having to push myself especially for the first 10-15 minutes, but that doesn't mean there's no enjoyment in it.

I'm not sure that pushing yourself to the limit all the time, every time does give the most fitness benefits - you're more likely to injure yourself, or become disheartened and give up. I think the most important thing is to listen to your body and learn when it's telling you to slow down or stop - it's not always easy to tell the difference between your body needing you to stop or the defeatist bit of your brain trying to convince you your body needs to stop. If I'm not sure, I tell myself I can stop in, say, three lamp-posts - if it's just my brain being defeatist, I can usually ignore it after three lamp-posts

[TJFlute]

I LOVE to go longer distances, at a slower pace. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone this year and I've done a 10k race and a 5k race. Did I enjoy going faster? No, not really, but I enjoy knowing that I've got a good time and I can't pretend that the times don't matter to me!?!

But my main goal has always been the half marathon, and ultimately the marathon.

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

and you are well on your way to achieving those!

[flowerbox Graduate]

At the moment just making it through 30 minutes feels like my limit. That's my target and I go deliberately slow so that I will make it. When I've completed the programme, hopefully after my next run, I imagine I'll probably do a bit of a mixture.