Quote:
Originally Posted by IanG
I ate a small breakfast today (boiled egg, fruit salad) before my run and it made a big difference. I bashed out 2 miles in 20 minutes again.
I really want to get to 3 miles. I might try and push it past 2 miles a little tomorrow. Any tips on how to do that. Should I slow down or speed up?
What I've found that works for me is run at your normal pace, and once every 5 or so minutes bump the speed up by .5mph or so for 30s-1m, then lower it just a bit below your normal pace for a recovery, and repeat til you have your distance. When you get to your distance, slow it to a brisk walk until you meet your goal mileage.
For example, when I was trying to be able to run 5 miles in 1 hour (on the treadmill) I still use this method now, just with more variation in the speed:
run 5.2mph, increasing it to 5.5-5.7mph for about 1 minute every 5-7 minutes. After the "sprint", I would drop the speed to 5.0mph for 1 minute, then bump it back up to 5.2mph, repeat. Every 15 minutes, I gave myself 2 minutes to walk at a 3.5mph so I could get a drink (before I mastered running and drinking) and a good recovery. When I got to 1 hour, I was usually about 4.6-4.75 miles. I would then walk at a 4.0mph until I got to 5 miles, then got off the treadmill and walked about .25 miles around the track at my gym.
When I run outside it is a bit different. I have a timer that has two intervals. I currently have it set at 4min (run), 1min (walk). When it beeps to start the 4 mins I:
increase my walk to my run pace (the pace I can maintain for 4 minutes)
after about 30 seconds I pick up the pace for 1 min
slow to my run pace
sprint the last 15 seconds before it beeps for my 1 min walk.
My 1 min walk is whatever pace I want, as long as I am moving forward.
Hope that helps!
Chris