It's go time! ~Izzy Mandelbaum
I'm not sure if anyone has this problem, but I really have have a difficult time slowing down for easy runs. I usually can start my run off at nice and relaxed, but after about a half mile "it's go time" and I gradually speed up to race pace and stay there for the remainder of the run. Even when I run with someone, soon after we start, I'm off to the races and whomever I'm with has to reel me back.
I'm not sure whether I have always had this problem, but I have really noticed it this spring when I started to conscientiously record my runs with their respective pace and after stepping off the treadmill and back onto the road in March. I have thought over for awhile now and I have determined that it is either one or all of the following:
- If I'm not going fast that I'm wasting my time and not getting anything out of my run.
- Need to consistently prove to myself that I can run fast, especially since my BQ pace is 7:15
- The continuation of the competitive nature from years of organized cross country and track.
- Or, I just want to complete my run as fast as possible to get it over with.
Now some of you might read this and think - "Jeez, what is this guy's problem? What is he complaining about? I would love to always run fast and struggle to go slow." - and, I would agree with you. But, slow days are just as important as fast days and without slow days you increase your risk for injury. I can definitely speak from experience on this as I strained my left calf about a week ago after running two days in a row with 6:30 first miles.
After about 3 or 4 days of rest, ice, and "the stick", I'm back on the roads gradually regaining strength in my calf. My first run on Monday was perfect, nice and slow at 8:00 pace. Today was another story as I set out to run 8:00 pace, but I finished at 7:37 pace. I felt fine for all of the run, but my fear is that my constant need to go fast could reinjure my calf or worse start up a string of overuse injuries that would be difficult to recover from.
So, I would like to propose to the running community - what do you do to help yourself stick to a certain pace and not let yourself get out of control? I know that many of you use a Garmin and I will be joining that crowd in the coming weeks, but a Garmin can't slow you down. Any suggestions would be great!
Now, go lift that TV...
