Progressing too quickly too soon?

Training Advice/Discussion General

9 years ago 09/21/2014 7:35pm EDT

Whats up, guys. So, basically, I used to run in the low to mid 15s for 5ks. I'm in my early 20s. However, I got injured and pretty much just stopped running. After a year and half long hiatus, I decided to start running again and train for a 5k taking place sometime early next year. Anyway, approximately one month in (3 weeks to be exact), I'm seeing that my runs are becoming easier and I am running much faster. I could barely hold a 7:20 pace for a 20 min. run when I first started, and now I am currently running an average of about 4-5 miles a day and averaging between 6:30-6:45 pace for these runs and it feels pretty easy. I am still in my base phase and don't plan on doing any workouts until mid-October. I guess I am just worried I am progressing too quickly too soon -- mainly because I am injury prone and don't want to burnout before I get to my goal race. On the other hand, I guess my body is getting back it's "muscle memory" back. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance.

9 years ago 09/23/2014 6:23am EDT

re: Get Back Jack

Sounds like your scared to run fast

9 years ago 09/23/2014 5:54pm EDT

re: Get Back Jack

It could be your muscle memory but I suggest you try to hold back and just go easy on your runs for now. Save your speed for when the workouts start.

9 years ago 09/24/2014 9:23am EDT

re: Sean runs this

Feeling the need to brag about your easy run pace is a huge warning sign.

Does it feel easy? When you're done with an easy run, could you start over and do it again immediately at the same pace? That's all you need to know about easy runs.

Save the brags for when you start adding speed workouts down the line, or better yet, for when you kill a race.

9 years ago 09/24/2014 1:46pm EDT

re: Get Back Jack

Go run a race this weekend. Then you will be able to determine what your easy pace should be. Google around on here for a rule. You have to earn the right to run faster with a better race time.

If you are really cheap/strapped for cash, run 5000m on a track. If you can't break 17:00, alone, you should NOT be running 6:30-6:45 pace every day yet. The fact that you feel like you can means you are ready to run 6:30ish pace 2 days a week. The other 5 should be more like 7:30 pace with strides the day before and day of the 6:30 pace.

The point of running slower is to be able to get to 7 miles per day sooner without getting hurt.

9 years ago 09/26/2014 12:19am EDT

re: You Are What You Is

You Are What You Is wrote:
Feeling the need to brag about your easy run pace is a huge warning sign.
Does it feel easy? When you're done with an easy run, could you start over and do it again immediately at the same pace? That's all you need to know about easy runs.
Save the brags for when you start adding speed workouts down the line, or better yet, for when you kill a race.

You're kind of a prick.

9 years ago 09/26/2014 12:29am EDT

re: Get Back Jack

Progressing too quickly? There is no such thing. You are only going back to where you've been before. Sooner you get there the better. At that point you'll have to figure out what's holding you back from running faster than you ever have, as you should be getting faster still in your early 20s.

6:30-6:45 should feel easy for a low 15 person. You might not have the strength to run that right now, but it's just a matter of being at the same race weight and you'll be 95-97% there in about 3-4 months. It's mostly a neurological thing, you are only remembering how to run that fast; it's not supposed to take long for brain that is functioning properly.

Also, if 6:30-6:45 feels easy be sure you are running faster than that at times. You don't have to baby yourself for X amount of time before you are allowed to train.

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