It's vitally important to know how to push the pace in the mid and later stages of your runs and races.
Knowing the pace you are running at can mean the difference between a personal best and missing it by a minute or two.
You will also be able to start your race at the correct pace, and not have to try to catch up at the end when you are already tired.
To learn pace judgment, try this drill once a week on a track or measured course that's about four hundred meters long.
Step #1 After 10 minutes of easy running, time yourself as you run one lap or four hundred meters very easy.
Then walk or jog slowly for two minutes.
Step #2 Time a second lap, and try to run this one two to five seconds faster than the previous one.
Walk or jog slowly for three minutes.
Step #3 On your third lap, try to again shave two to five seconds off the previous time.
Walk or jog slowly for three minutes.
Step #4 Make sure to cool down for at least ten minutes.
Step #5 Next week, try again and add a fourth lap.
Walk or jog slowly for three minutes between the third and fourth laps.
Continue to do this drill once a week, adding one more lap each week until you work up to six laps.
At that point, your goal becomes running all the six laps at the fastest pace you worked up to.
By slowly building your pace over the weeks and then working towards maintaining it, you will learn how to pace yourself on any run.