On Pace

by Matt Fitzgerald

Every runner knows pacing is critical. It can be the difference between a PR and a DNF. In On Pace, acclaimed running coach and author Matt Fitzgerald reveals how conventional training and device overdependence keep runners from accessing the full power of pacing. 

With a mix of fascinating science and compelling stories from every corner of the sport, Fitzgerald shows that pacing is the art of finding your limit--running at a pace to finish the workout or cross the finish line completely out of gas. This quintessential running skill unlocks hidden potential and transforms your experience of the sport, enabling runners of all experience and ability levels to "run free." 

Training plans for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon events will hone your pacing skill through improved body awareness, judgment, and toughness. Choose from four plans, novice to expert, for each distance. On Pace equips you mentally and physically to become a better runner, capable of knowing and executing your best effort on any given day. 

Genres: Audiobook, Sports

516 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2022

About the author

Matt Fitzgerald is the author of numerous books on sports history and endurance sports. He has enjoyed unprecedented access to professional endurance athletes over the course of his career. His best-sellers include Racing Weight and Brain Training for Runners. He has also written extensively for Triathlete, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Outside, Runner's World, Bicycling, Competitor, and countless other sports and fitness publications.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pacing is obviously important, and this book gives some good advice for how to pace better (including some anecdotes from famous athletes). However, I felt like the actionable advice in this case was minimal and didn’t require a full book. Essentially: be mindful when running (but not TOO mindful), have a “micro” pacing strategy (within each race or workout) and “macro” pacing strategy (for each season and beyond), be intentional, and do some specific workouts that focus on your pacing ability, especially workout structures that you can repeat in order to judge your progress. (Even more concisely: be intentional in your pacing, pay attention to the feedback your body gives you, and over time and miles, you will become better at pacing.) It’s good advice (and Fitzgerald goes into more detail than what I’ve written here), but the core ideas could have been expounded in a chapter or two. The athlete stories are nice for framing the advice, but not strictly necessary or enlightening.

I wasn’t interested in the training plans at the end, which accounted for a decent chunk of the book. At the end of the day, your training plan is independent of your pacing strategy. Once you have those (and a small workout library of pace-focused workouts based on suggestions from earlier in the book), you can choose when and where to pepper pacing workouts throughout your training. These sections essentially felt like filler.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his others. He spent time telling us why pacing is so important and about people who are good at it, but didn't give much about HOW to become better.

[Stephen Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's here is great, and properly helpful, but it sort of stops when I thought there was still more to say and so felt too short. In any case a good addition to a Runner's library

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book I found out that it has since been superseded by an updated version with a new title: How to Run the Perfect Race: Better Racing Through Better Pacing, so ignore this one and read that one instead.

[Christy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuts straight to the point.
Love his info, but does tell it like there is only one right answer. Great practicality. And reminder I need to work on pacing, but also some good practical exercises for pacing I’m excited to work into my clients running programs

[Benjamin Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost all the actional advice in the book common sensical, and nothing ground breaking, nontheless I enjoyed how the author presented the information. I do think this book is useful, but I have yet to put it into practice, I hope I can do it soon and I finally will be able to do negative splits.

[Sonja Hummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and engaging. Really appreciate the use of references and a full, detailed list at the end.

[Mark McDonald]

No my favorite of Fitzgerald's books, but on point for pushing runners to unplug and get to connect with our natural pace and rhythms.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helped me to understand the technical dimensions of running as a sport, and gave me some good practical advice about how to improve my sense of pacing.

[Frimann Gudmundsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lærði nokkra hluti tengt því að skipuleggja hlaup á þann veg að ná öllu út úr líkamanum miðað við ákveðna vegalengd.

[Nel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave a plethora of reasons why pacing was important but not so much on how to pace. Also, referred to free online training plans but when I went online they were NOT FREE.