my training schedule has me running ridiculously slow. As you might have read before I am currently training for the Pasadena Half-Marathon and my goal is around 1:35 which equates to about 7:22/mile, ok good that sounds feasible. My training schedule currently has my easy and long runs at a 8:37/mile pace, and the pace maxes out at 8:17/mile for the easy runs. That is nearly 1 minute/mile slower than my race pace!?!?

I understand that easy and long runs are to build up a foundation of miles and that speedwork and tempo runs are to develope efficiency and stamina. I guess that by taking the easy runs, really easy this will make it easier to max out the speedwork.

Another thing is that running slow is actually difficult for me. I run primarily on the balls of my feet and when I run slow I tend to make more ground contact with the rest of my foot. This causes me to bounce up and down, which is poor form. Not Good.

I don't know if I can handle this though. Today I 'forced' myself to slow down and was still running about a 8:17/mile pace. I think I might be able to understand why some people think running is boring...they must have been training for races constantly. 

If I am not pushing myself I don't call it running...I guess I will have to call it training however.