Pace or Push??

Mamaz2ndbaby

Mamaz2ndbaby

New member
I've been pushing myself at the gym and am starting to notice an increase in my physical stamina when doing cardio. For example, when I first started working out I would only walk at a 3.5 pace for 30 minutes now I can jog at a 4.3 pace for 30-45 minutes or a 5.4 pace for about 10-20 minutes.

I'm proud of myself and actually have become pretty competitive with myself (I try to beat my last day's speed or duration). I am wondering if Im doing myself in since I still have atleast 80 pounds to lose. Should I pace myself or push myself? Never thought I would say this but I actually love jogging/running and my body craves it when I don't do it but as I get closer to my goal weight I don't want to have to run like mad in order to get the same effect. Nor do I want to decrease my caloric intake anymore than I already have (1800-2000).

Anybody have any insight, personal experiences, or even suggestions on what I can do as my stamina increases and I get closer to my goal weight? I guess I'm asking how often I should be increasing the speed/duration of my jogs?
 
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you have to do what works for you. I mean i could say push yourself to be running 100mph but yeah you need to set yourself goals and then go for them. I cycle and i do races, but i dont compete against others, only against myself.
I set myself an average pace/speed i want to achieve, i make it slightly harder so i have to push myself, and then i go for it. Now im onto my second year of racing so im making sure i beat my previous times on the same rides/races and then some! :D
 
Yea, I was thinking I should pace myself...but what should my goals look like? How often did you switch up your goals? Can you give me an example of what your goals were. I understand everything is personal but would be helpful for an example.

Good work on your weight loss and the races.. I am hoping to do a 5k within the next few months.
 
hmm ok, my average speed for cycling i think was 19km/ph in the beginning, and i entered a race for 40km race of mostly flat ride. At that point i had only done 20-30 and was scared silly! My goal was to do it in under 2 hours which was an average of 20km/ph. I did it in 1hour 45mins! i was soo chuffed that i not only beat my goal but totally creamed it.
Another race i did was 90km, mostly flat and downhill (they all were in the beginning), and my average speed by now was about 22-24km/ph. I had never ridden more than 45km before but figured because of the course i should be able to maintain a better than average speed. So my goal was to do it in under 3 hours (average speed of 30km/ph).
Unfortunatly i left my water behind and got pretty dehydrated that race and ended up hitting the wall. I stopped for about 5 minutes when i cramped and stretched, i thought i was the last one in the group and was bawling my eyes out. And then a pack of about 20 70 year olds rode past me *&*^&%^.
Got back on the bike and finished with a time of 3 hours 5mins. If i hadnt stopped for 5 mins i would have met my goal :p

Now most of my rides are to work and back, so i sprint hard out to work (its only 8.5km). My fastest time is 15:50. and on the way home i practice technique rather than speed (im more tired in the arvo as well).
 
I mix it up. One day I go for time- so I have to pace myself. The next I go for speed, but reduce my work out time.

For example. 3 days ago I did intervals because I wanted to make sure I got a full hour in- walking at 3.5mph, then up to 4mph for 2 minutes, up to a jog at 5mph for 2 mins, up to 6.0 for 1 min, down to 5.0 mph for 2, 4mph for 2, 3.5 for 1 to recover, then back up again... repeated for an hour. Yesterday I only had 35 minutes to workout, so I ran the whole time at a steady pace of 5.0. Today I wanted to get in a longer workout, so I knew I'd have to pace. I did want to push myself though, so I decided on 45 mins. I did the first 20 mins at a 4.0mph walk. The next 18 at 5.0 mph jog, and the last 6mins at 6 mph. Tomorrow I'll do a full hour with the intervals again.

Personally I like to mix it up, I don't get bored that way.
 
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