Why is 6:40 pace so comfortable?

you run out of gas in the 2nd mile yet declare 6:40 pace as 'easy', and this is the pace you run out of gas in during the 2nd mile

do you want to perhaps start over with the thread, OP?

'easy pace' is something you can do for 2-3 hours IMO. OP you're tapping out around minute 7? 8?

I think I understand what you are trying to say but you are making it seem like 6:40 is your easy pace. If it was your easy pace you would be able to hold it for 1+ hour.

Sorry if I confused anyone, I ran 50 minutes at an average of 7:10 pace a week ago, most miles were 7:20 with the last few being 6:50 or better. The other day, I went for a run my own and ended up going out at 6:40 pace and hadn’t even realized because it was like I was cruising... physically. My legs felt fine and aerobically I wasn’t taxed. This was supposed to be my long run but I’m obviously not in shape to hold a pace like that for 50 minutes straight, after about 3 miles at 6:40 pace I started to fatigue... which begs the question, if I’m not fit for this pace why does my body try to establish that as some sort of standard. I can run slower, but it’s a bit more uncomfortable than it is efficient. 8 minute pace feels like a drag and 7:30 feels alright. 6:40 feels like I’m actually running and I wanted to know if others felt this way. Hope this makes sense.

Bakugo wrote:

Sorry if I confused anyone, I ran 50 minutes at an average of 7:10 pace a week ago, most miles were 7:20 with the last few being 6:50 or better. The other day, I went for a run my own and ended up going out at 6:40 pace and hadn’t even realized because it was like I was cruising... physically. My legs felt fine and aerobically I wasn’t taxed. This was supposed to be my long run but I’m obviously not in shape to hold a pace like that for 50 minutes straight, after about 3 miles at 6:40 pace I started to fatigue... which begs the question, if I’m not fit for this pace why does my body try to establish that as some sort of standard.

Because you're an idiot

You need to learn to run efficiently at a pace which is truly easy for you.

Seems like my point is going over everyone’s head. But to address your point, I’ll ask this. Is an hour and a half at 8 minute pace better than an hour at 7 minute pace? It’s seems like the general consensus agrees with the former.

Bakugo wrote:

Seems like my point is going over everyone’s head. But to address your point, I’ll ask this. Is an hour and a half at 8 minute pace better than an hour at 7 minute pace? It’s seems like the general consensus agrees with the former.

1. What IS your point? It's more accurate to say that you are failing to make it's over our heads (most people here are smarter than you). If you can only run 6:40 for a mile, and then have to slow down, it's not an easy pace for you.

2. Better for what? You're an 800 runner. Some 800 runners can get away with a long run of just an hour and do well.

I would just look at David Rudishas training. He probably is comfortable with a 6:40 pace for 30 miles. Keep it at youre doing great!

It probably is your easy pace -- biomechanically. But right now you lack fitness so you can't hold it. Aerobically, 7 minute or slower seems to be where you're at. As you get fitter, your easy pace will get faster.

What I think based on what I think you're trying to say...

7:30-8:00 is your true easy pace

6:40 is more of a threshold for you (probably aerobic threshold)

Running 50 minutes at your aerobic threshold is an excellent workout.

Running 7:30-8:00 for you would be a RECOVERY run.

Bakugo wrote:

Seems like my point is going over everyone’s head. But to address your point, I’ll ask this. Is an hour and a half at 8 minute pace better than an hour at 7 minute pace? It’s seems like the general consensus agrees with the former.

An hour at 8 minute pace is better than an hour at 7 minutes pace if this is supposed to be your long run and 6:40 tires you out at 3 miles. 8 minute pace will give you all the same benefits but it will also allow you to really push your workouts. Recovery runs and longs runs should feel excruciatingly slow. If you get bored do your last mile at 6:40 but do the rest at 8:00+.

No

I don’t want to argue, I’m just looking for insight from people.

I felt like I explained my point decently, but I guess not.

I’m an 800 runner, so obviously not extremely distance oriented. I’m just getting in shape, so my first goal is to build my cardiovascular fitness up. To do that, I will be and have been running mileage. As a speed oriented mid-distance runner I feel like it would only be natural for me to run at faster paces for slightly shorter runs(I.e. quality over quantity). Over the past weeks I’ve gone on multiple runs with my longest being a 50 minute run on my nearby canal. This was my long run and I chose to run for time rather than distance so that my effort would remain honest. I could have easily run 12 miles at 9 minute pace or 20 miles at 10 minute pace, but I chose to run for 50 minutes at my own effort because I think I’m smart enough to gauge that at this point and also believe that running closer to my threshold would not only make me stronger but also more efficient. Obviously it seems like me and everyone had a disconnect. When I go on my shorter runs anywhere between 2 to 4 miles I have a natural inclination to open my stride and get comfortable. However, almost every time I do this, I end up exceeding my desired effort level and feeling it in the latter half of my runs. Obviously, 2 miles at this pace isn’t much of an issue(and it was my mistake to state so), but anything 3 and up and my aerobic fitness starts to play a factor. This brings me to my point, why would my body want to run a pace that it can’t even handle. I’m not purposefully overexerting myself... I’m just relaxing and going out like I’m ready to run “x” amount of miles. If no one wants to answer, that’s fine. I’m glad I was able to give life to some discussion( or rile up a bit of scrutiny at least). Maybe from now on I’ll just always go out at 12 minute pace and see what happens from there.

Bakugo wrote:

Seems like my point is going over everyone’s head. But to address your point, I’ll ask this. Is an hour and a half at 8 minute pace better than an hour at 7 minute pace? It’s seems like the general consensus agrees with the former.

Best is to run at a negative pace, then your putting money in the bank without even breaking a sweat!

To illerstrate, I always run -2 hours at -7:10 pace, thats always 14,20 in the bank. :)

People aren't answering directly because they don't have the same experience as you. I think as you get more experience under your belt, you'll become more comfortable running at a slower paces and much less comfortable running at a pace you can only maintain for 2-3 miles.

For example, for myself, I have a pace at which I can maintain easily until my legs give out (easy pace), I have a pace that is fairly uncomfortable that I can maintain for 26 miles (M), I have a pace that is super uncomfortable that I can maintain for 6 miles, and my 5K pace feels like death a little after the first mile.

I think most people are like myself (3-6 mile pace is immediately and clearly uncomfortable) and don't exactly relate. You're just a noob when it comes to distance running.

To your "which is better" question, it depends in the context of your training. If you've got a tough workout the next day, slower pace will be better for you as it won't interfere with your workout as much. If the run is meant to be a tough workout in it of itself (extended tempo in this case?), then faster is better.

I definitely know what you're saying. The pace where you feel biomechanically comfortable doesn't necessarily match up with your easy run pace as determined by aerobic capacity.

I'm just getting back into serious running after a few years away from the sport, and this has really become an even bigger issue for me now that I'm not in great shape. My actual easy run pace feels really awkward. If I'm not careful, I just automatically start to run faster and faster until I'm running a pace that really feels comfortable, but isn't sustainable.

I try to just force myself to run slower even though it feels awkward. It's better to get in decent mileage at an awkward pace than to constantly cut runs short or turn easy runs into hard workouts because I pushed the pace.

I've also really started to enjoy threshold repeat workouts, since they allow me to run at a pace that feels more comfortable. Honestly, a 3 mile easy run feels harder for me than 3 miles of threshold repeats right now. The former just feels like a grind while the latter allows me to get into a good rhythm and cruise.

I understand what you’re saying, but at the end of the day, you have to slow down your overall pace for the meantime. I experienced the same exact thing for years, and it took for me to make a conscious effort to run slower to make some significant gains. Even though 6:40 feels easy, 7:30 is much easier. Just take your time to adjust to the pace. Your body will thank you later, I promise you.

learn to relax more wrote:

Bakugo wrote:

Sorry if I confused anyone, I ran 50 minutes at an average of 7:10 pace a week ago, most miles were 7:20 with the last few being 6:50 or better. The other day, I went for a run my own and ended up going out at 6:40 pace and hadn’t even realized because it was like I was cruising... physically. My legs felt fine and aerobically I wasn’t taxed. This was supposed to be my long run but I’m obviously not in shape to hold a pace like that for 50 minutes straight, after about 3 miles at 6:40 pace I started to fatigue... which begs the question, if I’m not fit for this pace why does my body try to establish that as some sort of standard.

Because you're an idiot

Urine*