LEARNING YOUR PACE
a Guide for Beginner Runners

As a newbie runner it can be hard to tell what “your pace” is. What exactly does this mean? How do I know if I’m running hard enough? How do I run hard enough but not run out of steam before my run is over?
There are several ways to learn how to pace yourself when running, so choose one that works best for you! The most successful way I’ve found to teach my runners is using a effort scale system that not only describes how hard the pace will be, but things you’ll be able to do (or not do) when you are in that “zone.”
Here’s what I mean:
A scale from 1-10
The numbers for these paces will change as you become a more experienced runner. Your 3-4 zone may start as a 14 minute mile and work it’s way down to a 9 minute mile…but the effort and capabilities at the level will stay the same. This is why this effort scale is so much easier to comprehend than say, a chart of paces. Hopefully this helped you discover something new about how to run your pace. If you want more information, or help with your runs, discover what a running coach can do for you!