so I've noticed my pace on easy runs is speeding up without me trying any harder. I know this is supposed to happen and I'm happy with it but can anyone shed any light for me on why and how this happens?
so I've noticed my pace on easy runs is speeding up without me trying any harder. I know this is supposed to happen and I'm happy with it but can anyone shed any light for me on why and how this happens?
Your lactate threshold is getting higher. More specifically, you’re reaching LTP2 at faster paces. Here are a couple of articles I wrote about it for my team.
http://hughsoncc.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-lactic-acid-boogeyman.html?m=1
http://hughsoncc.blogspot.com/2019/07/threshold-training.html?m=1
Without getting too geeked out on physiology, just remember that ANY training will improve factors like VO2 max and lactate threshold as long as it provides a stimulus greater than that to which your body is adapted.
Mostly, just be happy that you’re getting in better shape.
Thanks, CoachB. That first blog post totally describes what I've been doing and experiencing. I've upped my miles from 50 to around 70 a week. Some fartleks (but only occasionally) and mostly all easy to steady running.
All of a sudden this week I'm noticing all my runs are considerably faster than they have been in the past. And this is at the same feel/effort and same HR.
Progress and adaptation are super cool.