I'm starting to think I'm destined to run 11:30 minutes miles forever

ECUPirate04

and ever the end Amen.

My last 3 out of 4 races I've run almost exactly 11:30 minute miles.  It doesn't matter the distance.

One of them was RNR Savannah, then the Beer Run a few weeks ago, and finally Cooper River this weekend.

3 totally different races and the same exact pace.

I know I can run faster. I know I can.  It is totally mental.

ECUPirate04

I did just find a 10k time of my from last year that was closer to 10:30 second miles and earlier this year I ran a marathon relay where my laps were all under 10 minute miles.

I CAN RUN FASTER but I need to mentally commit I guess.

Mominator

Do you do interval training at all? I've shaved off over 2 min/mile by adding interval workouts to my routine. Last year this time my "easy" runs were averaging 13 min/mile (and even slower sometimes), yesterday my easy run was at a 10:30 min/mile pace. You can definitely do it, but everything I've read says that the only way to run faster, is to actually get out and RUN faster. Good luck!

ECUPirate04

Mominator:

Do you do interval training at all? I've shaved off over 2 min/mile by adding interval workouts to my routine. Last year this time my "easy" runs were averaging 13 min/mile (and even slower sometimes), yesterday my easy run was at a 10:30 min/mile pace. You can definitely do it, but everything I've read says that the only way to run faster, is to actually get out and RUN faster. Good luck!

I do it sometimes on the treadmill and can do it there but for whatever reason I'm struggling to do it outside.

It is mental.  I'm hoping that confessing my weakness here I can fix it

Brit's Luna154

Do you use a Garmin or the RunKeeper app? If so, you can program them to beep at you for intervals so that you remember to do them. I am bad at remembering on my own, but if I use a workout that is set up with them, then I don't mind doing them so much. I typically just focus on running at what feels like a harder effort during the interval rather than stressing myself out over hitting a particular pace and it seems to work just fine.

ECUPirate04

Brit's Luna154:

Do you use a Garmin or the RunKeeper app? If so, you can program them to beep at you for intervals so that you remember to do them. I am bad at remembering on my own, but if I use a workout that is set up with them, then I don't mind doing them so much. I typically just focus on running at what feels like a harder effort during the interval rather than stressing myself out over hitting a particular pace and it seems to work just fine.

Ahhh, I do use Runkeeper but didn't know it has this capability.  Awesome.  I'll totally try it on my next run.

stpetegirl

You sound just like me. I was running faster before but lately I've been right around 11:30 miles. I have started doing intervals once a week. But I also think I just have been enjoying easy runs. 

shorty20

ECUPirate04:

One of them was RNR Savannah,

Kind of off topic, but how was this race?  My friend convinced me to run it with her, so we registered this past weekend.  Did you enjoy it?  I've always wanted to go to Savannah, so I'm excited.

statwaldy

When you guys do speed work outside do you generally try to stick w/ a flat route or just try your best on hills?

ECUPirate04

statwaldy:

When you guys do speed work outside do you generally try to stick w/ a flat route or just try your best on hills?

I almost always run hills.  I'm not even sure I can find a route locally that isn't pretty hilly.

I'm definitely getting my hill training in but I'm slooowwww.

Brit's Luna154

statwaldy:

When you guys do speed work outside do you generally try to stick w/ a flat route or just try your best on hills?

The hills are much of the reason why I just go with perceived effort rather than trying to hit a specific pace. My street has like the only big hill in Indiana and I do well to crack 10:00 pace going up it, but I can hit 7:XX going back down.

doglove

Ditto the interval work. I try to incorporate one interval/speedwork run a week and it really helps a lot. I can only do those workouts on the treadmill as well.

jillybean222

I'm like that too - I can only break 9:00 on less than 7 miles...I think 9:xx is my happy place on any distance over 7 miles and I will run that forever and ever, even when I'm 75!!!!!