Who needs a fancy training program? Today I just chose the 'Free Workout' setting instead of one of my planned training sessions. Instead I focused on one thing: just keep running. No walking breaks, slowed down in a couple of places, but no walking until I passed the 3 mile mark. And damn that felt good!
I ran a good pace (I was just under 10 minute miles at the 3 mile mark.) After a couple of years of this I have begun to realize/accept that is my pace. And rather than get all tied up in special programs to try and shave a few seconds off that pace I decided to just enjoy myself at my natural pace. I feel better just running a whole route at that pace than trying to speed up and slow down, which leads to walking breaks, which becomes a habit.
I feel better about myself when I run without walking breaks to be honest. Sure, on a long run those are almost necessary, but on a 3 mile run? No, shouldn't be necessary. And since those are the bulk of my runs, I think it is better to just focus on just maintaining the running pace instead.
Which means that from here on out that is my new focus: I know what the 3-4 mile routes are that I like. And I will just alternate those 4 days a week, and one day a week go long. No intervals or tempos. I will let my routes determine things like that. Some routes have hills, others are flatter so I can use that to accomplish what the intervals etc should be accomplishing. Which also gives me a sense of change and variety so I don't stagnate too much.
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