on the part of the individual learner!!
Coaches and teachers can only advise and show the way.
Commitment
How can a person improve his or her pace as a runner? There are a number of ways! However, the main thing is to stick to the main thing. Be committed to running on a regular basis. If one does that, his speed will increase simply because he is consistent. It's the same kind of commitment one would make toward learning to sing or play an instrument. There's nothing like regular effort. It generally leads to improved performance.The Long Run
Another way to improve pacing is to insert a weekly long distance run into your training plan. For some reason, those 10 mile or longer runs lead to faster runs at the shorter distances. I have found that a weekend long run of 15 miles or more makes the 5 miler in the middle of the week seem easy. After a few longer runs like this, I find 3 mile runs to be simple and fun!Speed Work and Hill Repeats
In addition to the long run, a tried and true method is regular speed work. This can include timed repeats of 1 to 5 or more minutes with slower paced breaks. It could also mean repeats on the track of 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 meters with variants in between. Following each repeat, a runner should do an easy recovery lap.
Just before the
Flying Monkey Marathon!!
Hill workouts are grueling, but they will strengthen the legs! So find a hilly course or find a hill and run repeats up the hill at a 10k pace. Your legs will burn and your heart rate will rise, but you will recover as you walk or jog down the hill for your next repeat. You could also run a hilly race like the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon to build your leg strength and confidence.Self-Discipline
Disciplined running takes practice and self control. Disciplined learning in school takes practice and self control! Effective students work on their learning through individual efforts, like a distance runner. If I had a coach, he or she could tell my what to do and how to do it, but it would be up to me do go about the business f making things happen. Teachers are like coaches, they can only share information and assist with practice in the classroom, but it is up to the individual student to learn by independent effort and completing homework assignments.
You can really only blame yourself for any lack of improvement, because you are the only one who controls you. So, I will continue to practice consistency as I improve my running and musical skills. How about you? What kind of skills are you trying to develop?
