Any tips on how I could keep myself from running easy runs fast?

Cut one of the clips off some jumper cables and clip it to your dick.

jj3434 wrote:

Other than wearing a HRM, does anyone have any tricks or tips to force oneself to run easy during easy runs? I've thought about choosing clothes like a track suit or 100% cotton tops to keep myself from going at a pace that will make me sweat hard. This will probably work in winter but not when the weather gets warmer.

I would think you would want to overdress. That would be one suggestion I'd have. The other is to wear shoes that just aren't "fast". I have shoes that I tend to always run quickly in, while others make me plod along. On my recovery or easy runs, I'll usually go with the clunkier shoes.

You sound really fast and fit. I wish I were as good as you.

Drag an anchor behind you. That, or a tire.

Do loops around the block with a tire tied to a rope areound your back.

This doesn't really apply if you are doing singles.. but.. if you are doubling, plan your morning runs before dark (like 5:30am or so). This way if your ego gets to you when running around cars, nobody will be around to see you. I have a planned 5 mile route with known mile markers and if I want to go easy I just focus on each mile to hit a certain pace. It's actually kind of fun and makes time go by quickly.

The obvious suggestion would be to run with other people and just hold a conversation the entire way.

Double your mileage. That always slows me down.

I need help speeding up on easy run (I run close to 9:00 minute pace as a sub-3 marathoner) The reasons I can find that slow me down a lot:

-Lots of traffic lights

-Lots of turns and tight turns

-Lots of hills

-Lots of change in terrain - sidewalks to road, to sidewalks to road

-Busy streets, getting around pedestrians

-Running with the dog

-Running small circles in the park (because of dog)

-Running with slower friends

Maybe you can try those things.

Or try running for time, not miles. That takes some temptation out.

if you're a guy, run with a girl on occasion, if you're a girl run with a sloth

but seriously if you feel good on easy runs, its ok to go fast

also you could run the last 30 mins or so of your easy run fast, progressively getting faster at 10, sometimes 15, 20, and 25 minutes, sometimes hammer at the end, sometimes just do a fast tempo - but this shouldn't replace regular tempo runs, if you know you're gonna be hammering it for the last 2-3 miles, I'll bet you'll go slow, and you can recover from this enough to work out the next day

for doubles I use a system of main run and easy run each day, both could be easy, but the easy run is always easy and shorter in distance than the main run, usually if you do your main run fast enough, you'll be more than content to take the easy run slow, and if not, well it can still be good training

Run more miles. If you are tired enough you will run slower.

Run harder on your hard days.

if you do it to finish faster, run by minutes instead of mileage

thanks for the suggestions.

I can do 4-5mi. in the AM easy because I'm still somewhat asleep and it's only 4-5 miles.

Longer runs are another story. For instance, I find it boring to run an easy 10 miler easy. Especially when it's really cold outside.

Running with someone helps but I don't have that option. I like the idea of running pedestrian filled streets and wearing heavier shoes.

Why don't you want to run with a HRM?

Is it because you want to "run free"?

Is it because you think they are for triathletes and hobby joggers?

Since you don't want to do that, just run a lot more miles until slower becomes a more natural pace. Fatigue and injury are great natural methods of slowing you down.

Run trails, focus on your form, run in unfamiliar territory, run with a group, run when your body isn't optimally ready to go.

long sox wrote:

Why don't you want to run with a HRM?

Is it because you want to "run free"?

Is it because you think they are for triathletes and hobby joggers?

Since you don't want to do that, just run a lot more miles until slower becomes a more natural pace. Fatigue and injury are great natural methods of slowing you down.

I've been running alot more miles lately and am tired most of time as a result. I'm trying to find a balance where I can run easier on easy days in order to run harder on harder days.

I do have a HRM and probably will get around to wearing it for easy runs. I was just looking for other options that others might have to keep long slow runs interesting.

I'll second running on trails. Especially somewhere where you need to watch your footing or there are lots of sharp turns.

Sometimes when I want to keep things slow, I'll turn my watch upside down as well (or pull your gloves over the top or go without it completely). Usually when I end up going too hard it is because I'm thinking of what a great pace I'm clipping along at (and then push to try to record a fast average pace).

Find some slow training partners for a couple days a week.

Get a gps gizmo and set it to beep at you when you exceed a certain speed.

mins wrote:

if you do it to finish faster, run by minutes instead of mileage

This is correct. Running a certain distance often gets us in that hurry up and get to where I need to go frame of mind.

Running by time slows you down. It does not matter how fast or slow you run because you are not in a hurry to get back to point A. You can also run wherever you want. That takes you out of the frame of mind of hurrying to finish your route.

Yes. Minutes not miles.

Also, pretend you're running with someone slightly slower. It sounds stupid, but it works.

get a heart rate monitor and keep it under your target. also listening to books on your ipod helps me.