Running Numbers: Doing the Math, Making a Plan

“Pacing is crucial to any training program.”

Though this axiom is by all accounts true, I have managed to avoid it during any of my previous training endeavors.

A mistake, I know.

My “new” training plan is based on the idea of three Key Runs, supplemented by cross training. The three Key Runs are broken up into three distinct training opportunities. Key Run 1 focuses on pacing runs (speedwork to you and me). Key Run 2 is a threshold run, and Key Run 3 is the long run.

Before getting too far ahe3ad of myself though I need to determine what my training pace is and to do so I am going to use the formula provided on the FIRST Marathon Training Program Training Paces Worksheet (Whew!):

Step 1. 5k race time in minutes: seconds: 19:20
Step 2. 5k race time in decimal form: 19.33
Step 3. 5k race pace in decimal form: 6.24
Step 4. 5k race pace in minutes/mile: 6:14

OUCH--So there it is... what seems a ridiculously low (translation: FAST!), but my training pace according to this formual is 6:14 per mile!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!