Running By Feel Vs Data
This week I'll discuss running by Feel; next week, Data
There's the science of running. And there's the art of running. Both very much have their place in training and racing, but how and when you use each of them is key.
Some of us rely heavily on what the watch says. We believe it’s the only metric we should focus on. The last split. The weather. The data, data, data. We can easily become overwhelmed and fall into analysis paralysis.
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I’m here to remind you that while cold, hard sciencey data is great, it is not the end-all, be-all.
There’s space in your training to be less about the numbers and more about the feel.
Running By Feel
Running by feel takes a ton of getting used to. In my opinion, it’s super hard for runners these days to dial into “feelings” because we’re so connected to the data.
But believe it or not, runners didn’t always have data mid-run to rely on. It wasn’t until maybe 2008 or 2010 that GPS watches were even a thing. Prior to GPS watches, we had a Nike chrono watch that only took lap splits.
You’d finish your run and either be gassed because you ran hard or you just assumed you ran 7:00 pace. There was no real science to it. And if you ran in the hot, hot summer, you’d have to adjust. Man, those times were a lot simpler!
When you got home from your run, you knew how long you’d run for, because your watch told you how long you ran for, but you didn’t know how far you went until you dialed up the internet and got on MapMyRun to follow the path of your run. Only then could you figure out your pace.
Running by feel takes into account your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Did I run hard today? Was I supposed to? How hard did it really feel? These cannot be answered with a watch or with data. They are internal.
But from that exertion, you can take some clues as to how hard the run was: is your breathing labored? Could you talk in full sentences? Did you “see God” for a bit?
These are all good RPE vibes.
How can you get better at running by feel?
Listen to your body.
Keep your watch under your sleeve.
Feel how hard or easy the effort feels and adjust.
Run by heart rate (if you know your HR numbers).
Continue logging miles without knowing the data.
Why Should You Run By Feel?
Running by feel comes in clutch in so many different circumstances. Like when your watch is dead, or you’re running in the city where GPS signals can be off.
Or, when you’re running in the dead of winter or the heat and humidity of summer.
Or, better yet, when you’re running on tired legs in the middle of a marathon training block.
Running by feel helps you build an internal awareness system that helps you in training and on race day.
Running by perceived effort helps when you’re run down, stressed, running through trails, or on grass. The external factors that make running that much harder don’t care about splits. That’s when running by feel becomes that much more important.
It’s definitely harder these days to run by feel, especially with all the tech we’re using. But it’s still possible to have sessions that are “feel-based” because, at the end of the day, yes, science is important, but knowing and feeling how your run is supposed to feel is just as important.
Next week, I’m going to dig into the science of running and how that has evolved big time over the last 2-3 years with the adaptation of AI.
Stay with me and if you have questions, leave a comment.
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