How To Know “What Is A Good Running Pace?” Let Us Get Started
When it comes to running, it can be a challenge not only to run fast, but also to do so at a consistent pace. Perhaps you are interested in keeping up your pace, but have a hard time doing so. Or maybe you are content with the pace you are currently at, but you are not so sure just how it measures up with others around you.
The question is, just what is a good running pace? You might be lost thinking about it, and perhaps you are worried that you do not measure up well with other runners. However, there is no need to fret:
In this article, we will give you the answers to your frequently-asked questions on this topic, as means of helping you settle your conscious once and for all. Pretty soon, you will be ready to hit the road at the optimal pace you want it to be at.
Without further ado, let us get started!
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What does “running pace” exactly mean?
Generally speaking, “running pace” refers to the speed at which you run. Technically speaking, it is the rate of your running speed at any given time, but in terms of casual definition, it means more of your consistent one.
The running pace is usually measured by the number of minutes and the distance at which it takes to cover in a certain amount of time. Often times, the distance is measured in miles or kilometers, and so typically the pace refers to how long it takes to cover one mile or one kilometer.
Calculating running pace can be easily achieved by wearing a timer watch, or have someone time your split times (i.e. how long it takes to run a mile or kilometer over multiple miles or kilometers).
Especially for endurance events, knowing your running pace is essential as means of pushing yourself and doing the best that you can when it comes to races and personal achievements.
What is a good running pace?
In the field of athletics and running, determining a so-called “good” running pace is difficult to do. There are so many factors out there, e.g. fitness level, running terrain, weather conditions, that creates differences within each individual’s running pace. Some will be faster or slower than others, and so it is virtually impossible to determine what is a “good” running pace.
That said, in the end it is up to you to discover your running abilities and determine just what a “good” running pace means to you based on those set of abilities. While some people might consider an eight-minute mile to be a solid time, perhaps you believe that sub-six minute miles are good.
In the end, it really varies, both in terms of your current running abilities and also what the current standards for running distances such as miles, 5Ks, half marathons, and marathons are.
For some tips on how to determine a good running pace, check out this video:
What are some ways to improve your running pace?
Once again, having a “good” running pace will greatly vary from person to person, but in general, improving your running pace is not much different from what others believe as well. Even more so, the workout regime to do so is commonly used by many athletes.
If you are interested in taking your running a step higher, here are some things that you can do to get started:
1. Set (realistic) goals.
This point sounds like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised just how many runners do not create realistic goals for themselves. More so than likely, they overestimate their abilities and set goals that are way too high for them to reach in a short, given amount of time. As a result, they flounder and give up easily, which is incredibly discouraging to those who could have had the potential to do great.
That said, it is necessary to step back and consider what goals you have in mind, particularly in a given set of time. That way, you can keep yourself in check and it makes it less likely to give up halfway through the process.
2. Know your current running abilities.
One way to set realistic goals for yourself is to know just how fast you run at this moment in time. By doing so, you can gauge just how fast you would like to go in order to improve your pace. It helps to first time yourself running a mile or a kilometer, so that you have a concrete number to work with later down the line.
3. Practice.
Of course, no improvement ever comes without any practice. Keep your running workouts consistent every day or each week, as means of improving yourself little by little over time. From long-distance running to interval training (also known as “fartleks”), it helps to vary your workouts each time to keep your body in tip-top shape, so that you can build up muscles for speed.
In addition, doing supplemental exercises such as lifting weights and stretching can enhance your body even more so, particularly for running since more muscle means more resistance to move yourself forward on runs.
4. Run slower.
Even if you are thinking of improving your speed with your running pace, it is more important to remain consistent with each of your splits rather than just with getting faster. That said, running a minute or two slower than your fastest mile time and maintaining that speed over time helps you build up endurance. Once you get comfortable with it, you can then move on to improving your speed.
5. Time trials.
Especially if you are training for races, testing yourself with time trials can be an indelible experience. In the days and weeks leading up to the competition, time yourself with running trials on the mile or 5K to see how you would perform under race conditions and from there adjust yourself to that.
For more advice on how to improve running pace, check out this video:
Conclusion
Overall, there is no real science to what is a good running pace for you. It depends on a variety of factors, and so by knowing yourself, you can create goals to improving your pace, in terms of speed, consistency in distance, or both.
Happy running!
Reference
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/your-perfect-running-pace
