Many runners make the mistake of running the same pace all the time and never vary their run workouts, but without purposeful training with specific pacing they may never reach their full running potential.  In this article I’ll discuss the reasons for using different running paces as well give examples of proper training to run.  Whether you are running a marathon, a 5k, or just running for weight loss, you need to learn about pacing.

The human body thrives on change and ever increasing stresses in order to adapt and react to the environment around it and running is no different.  In order to become a stronger, faster runner you must take up a varied pace run training program that creates a number of different stimuli for the body to react to.  If you run the same distance at the same pace everyday your body will adapt and your training will hit a plateau.  You won’t get any faster, and probably won’t get any slower either, but mediocrity is never the goal for most runners.

So what pace is the best at which to run?  It depends on your goals.  A 5k runner is going to have a much different training regimen than an 800 runner or even someone training to run a marathon.  However, a common misconception is that the marathon runner will always run long slow miles, and the 5k runner will always run short fast miles.  A mix of both long slow miles and shorter faster miles is useful for both the long distance runner and short distance runner. 

In my next article I’ll discuss the different paces: Aerobic Pace, Marathon Race Pace, Lactate Threshold Pace, VO2Max Pace, and Running Economy Intervals, and I’ll take a closer look at each pace, what is happening to the body while running each different pace, and when to utilize them most effectively.

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