Something wierd has been going on lately with my running and I just can’t explain it. My average run (pretty much 4-5 days a week) is 5km (just over 3 miles). I usually average at least 31-33 Mins depending upon which of my running routes that I take, whether it is a flat or slight incline, twisty, curvy or just out and back no thought required. I feel thats a good pace for me, I can push myself to go the low 31s or I can rest my body a bit and end up in the high 33s. I have a number of running routes I use that allow me to vary my runs so that I am not doing the same route day after day. I have routes that are easier and some that I use for punishment (I even have an 8k and 10k loop that are for my punishment days when I have been just that little bit naughty).

But if you were to go into my running history on the Garmin Website you will see my fastest ever 5k was 28 mins and that was a proper race where I was pushing myself to the limits

As you can see, it is a really good pace and I am really happy with it. But as of late my runs on the same routes that were averaging 31-33 have dropped to be around 29-30. I can’t explain it. I don’t feel like I am pushing myself any harder (there are days that I do push myself though).

Take this mornings route for instance, here is a capture from one of my average times on the same route:

This run was barely weeks ago and to be honest, Its pretty average, not to fast, not to slow, a good pace in my eyes. But now compare this to this morning:

Same route (may not be the same direction but that shouldn’t matter with this route), Same day of the week. I don’t get it. Maybe its the colder weather forcing me to output better or I am running better in the colder weather? Maybe someone who is a pro runner can help explain it to me. Either way, I don’t feel like I am pushing myself harder at the moment, but maybe I am and just not realising it.