I knew I wasn’t alone in my love/hate relationship with tempo runs when Mallory Creveling, Other Hearst Subscriptions breaking four hours in the marathon to consistently running tempo miles Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
Associate Health & Fitness Editor Runner’s World’s Associate Health & Fitness Editor training plan, and struggled the most with long runs that included tempo miles. I had finally overcome persistent issues with side stitches every time I upped my pace—I credit a core stability routine, strength training, and How Emily Venters Is Managing Her Race-Day Nerves for that—but tempo effort still felt intimidating. The idea of running at a fast pace for multiple miles in a row was daunting, and I’d sometimes fall short of hitting the prescribed paces consistently during a workout.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below long runs, Other Hearst Subscriptions high beats per minute (bpm) helped me settle into a smooth, even tempo pace. One song in particular always got me ready to dial up the pace: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Sharpest Tool.”
I don’t know if it’s the combination of cutting lyrics or the quick, consistent beat of the synth bass in the background, but the second the song comes on, my body kicks into a solid 8:00 pace—roughly my tempo speed.
As I train for my first marathon, I’m tuning into new songs to help me nail my paces—faster songs to run to during intervals, like Carpenter’s “Go Go Juice,” and slow, mellow songs like Phoebe Bridgers’ “Sidelines” when it’s time to run longer and easier. All these songs also help me beat boredom on my long runs because I’m listening to music I truly love.
high BPM playlist Runner’s World’s A Part of Hearst Digital Media, on my long runs because I’m listening to music I truly, break 1:45 half marathon tempo runs. Plus, join Runner’s World+ to unlock your biggest distance goals yet and access expert-backed plans so you can train with tempo pace for any race distance.
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break 1:45 half marathon Runner’s World and Bicycling in July 2024. She previously coached high school girls cross country and currently competes in seasonal races, with more than six years of distance training and an affinity for weightlifting. You can find her wearing purple, baking cupcakes, and visiting her local farmers market.
