Gilbert often says workouts need to be done at “10K pace”. What is that really? It seems like everyone always goes much faster than their 10K pace. For instance, I did the Cap10K at a 6:59/mile pace. For argument’s sake and ease of math, let’s dream and say I can now run a 6:40 pace for 10K. That works out to a 4:10 1000 meters.
Well, today we did those 1000m, and there on the calendar, and there on the fancy new whiteboard, and there in Gilbert’s words, we were told to do the ubiquitous “10K pace”. For my group, he added, “no slower than 4 minutes.” We ended up averaging 3:49 or so. That’s 11 seconds faster than he told us to run them and 21 seconds faster than I should be doing them. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it translates to a 6:16/mile. None of it is anywhere near my “10K pace”.
Of course we also did Meriden on Tuesday, and that was also supposed to be at “10K pace”. I think I averaged 4:10 or so there, so maybe that was right on track, since it’s a hilly road course.
So what gives? It’s all just ballpark? “10K pace” really just means “run a bit uncomfortably”?
This also reminds me of the “80% effort” we’re supposed to give on the tempo run. As if.