I replied, “Oh, man. Easy runs can never be too slow. That’s floaty heaven right there.”
It is. Though maybe not for me.
Let me explain. But first, I want to make it clear that I’m not pace-shaming anybody here. I think all running speeds are relative, and we all have our moments of ‘fast’ and, well... ‘not’. But for a long time, my ‘easy’ pace has generally hovered somewhere around five minutes. That dates back to when I was a kid in the ‘late 1900s’ (as I’ve been told the younger generation refers to it). You find the rhythm that just feels so damn good, so effortless that you’re confident you could hold it all day without ever tiring. The numbers on your watch don’t matter, right?
But it’s the numbers part that’s killing me. On days that I craved that ‘floaty heaven’, when I was run down from marathon training or just a bit sluggish from too many beers the night before, I’d find myself pushing too hard – because I knew when I uploaded the run to Strava, others would see it and be judging me.
Would they really? Doesn't matter. In my head, they were. Are. And no matter how I tried to talk myself into anything else reasonable, I was always going to have some internal pressure to shoot down the road just a bit faster.
Denne historien er fra May/June 2024-utgaven av Runner's World SA.
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Denne historien er fra May/June 2024-utgaven av Runner's World SA.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LONGOVERDUE PRAISE FOR THE RUNNING SINGLET
In the last decade, the running singlet once reserved for amateur competitors and professional athletes - has gone mainstream, not only on race day but also on everyday runs.
RISE OF THE 'ILLEGAL RUNNING SHOES
Banned shoes emerged at a basketball court long before they found their way onto a marathon course.
CRACKING THE SLEEP CODE
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Perhaps you've assigned yourself another animal after completing an internet quiz. Research is shedding light on the link between well-being and circadian predisposition, but there's no need to rewire yourself. Learn to lean into your biology with our guide.
THE SECRET TO SPEED IS IN YOUP BLOOD
Some of the world's best runners credit this unorthodox Norwegian training method for their success. Is it right for you?
THE MIND OF MASSYN
IN 2024, LOUIS MASSYN WILL ATTEMPT HIS 49TH COMRADES MARATHON AND HE'S LEARNT PLENTY OF LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. HERE'S THE STORY OF HIS AMAZING JOURNEY.
TAKING CHARGE
OUTSPOKEN AND AMBITIOUS, NEW COMRADES RACE MANAGER (AND FORMER WINNER) ANN ASHWORTH IS LOOKING TO TAKE THE RACE INTO THE FUTURE.
A HALF CENTURY OF COMRADES
THIS YEAR, BARRY HOLLAND WILL BE AIMING TO FINISH HIS 50TH CONSECUTIVE COMRADES MARATHON. THIS IS WHAT HAS INSPIRED HIM.
MY RUNNING LIFE
ORDINARY RUNNERS doing EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Ageing In The Age Of Strava
RECENTLY MY BUDDY Sean sent a text message that said, “Been running a lot of 5:30–6:00 kays early. It feels pretty nice at that pace.”
How To Start A Run When You Don't Feel Like It
I'VE ALWAYS FELT validation when reading a story about writers and their love of procrastination.
