Jimmy21 wrote:
easy weeks wrote:He also said you need to be honest about it, though, and not pretend a slightly faster than easy pace was in fact, easy.
This is basically what sparks the question. My easy pace has slowed down, even though I'm fitter. Basically, I think I quit lying to myself about what was truly an easy pace, but at times I question if I should speed up a little, even though I'd have to keep checking the GPS to see if I'm holding the correct pace
You were either running your easy pace a little bit too quick or you are just more fatigued now from harder workouts which are improving your fitness.
Also, you are probably looking at easy pace over a short time period- one mesocycle. If you are getting more fit your easy pace will improve over the long term- one or more macrocycles.
I you are in the middle of a good training cycle (2 - 3 quality workouts a week) then it makes sense that your easy pace will stay the same or even get slower. Your body is recovering from quality workouts. Once you finish the training cycle and go back to a base phase, or even just take a 'down week' or two, you will see your easy pace improve. This is how periodization works.
I think its also important that you differentiate between an easy run and a recovery run. Recovery runs have a purpose- to allow your body to heal after a hard workout and get ready for the next one. Easy runs are essentially junk mileage. Junk mileage is OK during base phase but you should probably limit it to one day a week if you are in the middle of a tough training cycle. The other days are recovery days or workouts.
Personal anecdotes will disagree but I think this will hold true for the majority of athletes.