While I was training for my first half marathon during the summer of 2025, I’d clock an average 16:00 run/walk pace . It felt humbling. I wanted to go faster, but I wasn’t physically prepared to accomplish a quicker pace.

So I followed the Runner’s World Beginner Run/Walk plan and racked up miles. By focusing on consistency and going longer, I worked up to an average 13:51 pace come race day. But I still wanted to pick it up.

I signed up for another race last spring, following the Runner’s World break 2:30 plan, which introduced me to some speed workouts: half marathon pace sessions scheduled every week.

I struggled to keep up with those runs, sometimes falling off pace during sessions and other times skipping them entirely. The quicker pace felt intimidating and I typically dreaded the workouts.…