I started off Week 3 Marathon Training today. All is going good so far, no pesky foot issues from last November, no soreness, no problems. I am really feeling well and my average weekly mileage is already higher than it was all of last year (13 average weekly miles in 2012 according to Daily Mile). Last week I ran 16 miles, this week I’ll be up to 18 total miles. Why am I feeling so good with more miles? I’m pretty sure it is because I slowed down. Coach Erin slowed me down!
Running slower to run better and faster
If you Google “running slower to run faster” or something of that nature, you will find there are many articles and blog topics on this subject. Many reputable resources exist on this topic so I know I’m not introducing anything new. What I thought I would discuss is just how this topic is affecting ME. I’m currently running paces about 40 seconds to one minute slower per mile on average with almost all of my training runs for the Carmel Marathon training. Sure I have some speedwork that will be coming into play with this training, but most of my runs are slower. On purpose. Yet I am running more. And my runs are easier and better. I feel I could go on for miles longer after each run.
Speaking of a speedy runner, many congrats to MommyRunFast and her Boston Qualifier from Houston this past weekend!
I thought this summed up my very thought on why running slower is actually sometimes better:
“Yes, my long runs are at an easy pace and I can hold a conversation while I’m running. But holding the correct aerobic effort four to six days a week, month after month, isn’t easy.” – from The Myth of Long Slow Distance
Running MORE yet SLOWER could really lead to a better and consequently faster long distance run. I totally get that concept. Distance Quality vs Speed Quantity.
New collar for Agnes the Schnoodle
Also happening this week, Agnes needed a new collar. I usually walk her with a harness since *despite loads of training* she still pulls badly (the Schnauzer in her?), but when we’re not out on a walk, she needs a regular collar. With quick trips to the school bus stop, the harness can get fussy to put on when you are in a rush. Her old collar had dead animal carcass and onion grass still smeared on it from her last roll in good stink. The options at the store were pink, more pinks, or blues. Not a big choice, but it will do.
Have you tried slowing down your runs to make for better endurance?
Aww, thank you so much! As for the slower, long runs… yes, I’ve been figuring that out, too. This cycle I added a few faster ones (mostly via races) but overall kept the long ones slower. So glad you’re feeling good so far!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Houston Marathon Recap
I’m so glad to have read your BQ … and that is encouraging that your longer runs were slower during training. I hear this time and time again, it makes sense :) Enjoy your week and that new medal!
Yes yes! See, saying yes again. :) I’ve been really focusing on this this time around…keeping my daily aerobic runs in a certain zone that I might otherwise ahve felt pressure to exceed. Same with recovery runs…super slow. Glad for this calm and realization this time around. Makes the faster running that musch more manageable and fun. Glad to read this.
Thank you and I too enjoyed your perspective on it all. I think most of us who run often wonder what it is all about, but in the end we all come to that same place – to enjoy it :)