Running for time in a tempo

Training Advice/Discussion General

15 years ago 08/27/2008 6:49am EDT

Anyone ever just run a tempo for 20-40 mins without doing it on a measured course and not knowing exact min per mile pace? So going only by feel.

I used to religously measure all my runs, then I switched to running for time on easy runs and I am thinking about doing it for tempo runs also.

I always end up trying to hold onto a pace rather than run it by feel, sometimes it is ok, sometimes I turn a tempo into a time trial.

If I just run by feel is that ok or do I need to know and stick to the exact min per mile pace?

Anyone have any experience with this?

15 years ago 08/27/2008 7:13am EDT

re: mikemed

15 years ago 08/27/2008 7:41am EDT

re: mikemed

Mike,

It's perfectly fine to do your runs based on time rather than distance, for both easy runs and and quality work such as tempo runs. For many people (especially overly competitive types) it is a good way to make sure they don't do their runs harder than they are suppose to.

One thing I have done with some on my runners, who fall into this category, is have them do the workout based on time, such as a 30 minute tempo run, and then once the workout is done we can use a map measuring website and see how far we covered to check the pace and to track fitness level and improvement. We don't measure each run afterwards, just occassionly a quality workout.

- MPR

15 years ago 08/27/2008 7:51am EDT

re: MPR

MPR wrote:
One thing I have done with some on my runners, who fall into this category, is have them do the workout based on time, such as a 30 minute tempo run, and then once the workout is done we can use a map measuring website and see how far we covered to check the pace and to track fitness level and improvement. We don't measure each run afterwards, just occasionly a quality workout.
- MPR

Yeah....this is the way to do it. If you're checking your splits the whole way, it's very easy for the tempo to become a time trial/race.....and then you don't really feel like doing the workout again.

15 years ago 08/27/2008 8:19am EDT

re: PTF

good

you should only be running by feel and sometimes time

the only occasion when you need to follow your watch is when you're practicing running a race pace/goal pace

run by feel and you can't go wrong...well for the most part. no injuries, no burn out, no overworking

15 years ago 08/27/2008 9:22am EDT

re: bite me

Thanks for the replies, good advice.

I like the idea of mapping the course afterwards to see where your fitness is at.

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