Running Clique

[Ted Maul]

Improving (albeit slightly) all the time. 2.5 miles in 25 mins (OK, some may scoff at that, but I'm pleased!).

My issue is that I'm upping the pace to try and get sub 8 min miles in, but it's back firing when I get 2 or 3 mins into the second mile.

My immediate short term goal is to run for 30 mins and 3 miles, in relative comfort. I'm not sure about the right way to go about this, so wonder if the experienced runners here would recommend the best way to achieve this? Should I just run for 30 mins at a comfortable pace, then once comfortable at that pace, up it at the next run?

That seems logical in my mind, but I'm worried that I'd do less than what I'm doing now, in terms of distance, but running for a longer time, if that makes sense? It'd almost feel like a backwards step.

Nothing illogical in taking some of the intensity out of your running build stamina and endurance. The best way to do that is by running more, and running slower or at an easier pace is the best way for your body to cope with increased time on feet and mileage. Leave the sub 8min miles for a bit and focus on being able to jog for say 40 mins. When that's comfortable work your way up to an hour, similar to the post I shared with Midge yesterday.

If it makes you feel better Olympic marathoners will jog around at 8min per mile. Forget pace for a bit, that will come.