Pave vs. Feel: Which Is the Better Metric?

Running is both an art and a science in many ways, and sometimes, you choose whether you want to lean into the former or the latter. Such is the case when running by feel (art) or pace (science). Running by feel is also known as effort-based training or going by your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). “We define perceived exertion as your own subjective intensity of effort, strain, discomfort, or fatigue that you experience during exercise,” says Luke Haile, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your RPE is affected by numerous factors, from your emotional state to the weather to how well you slept the night before. “When you can understand it, it can really guide your training,” Haile says. But can ditching your watch and running by feel versus pace still get you to your goals? Read on to find out the pros and cons to both approaches, and how to know which is best for you. (Spoiler: Most likely, you’ll want to integrate a mix of both metrics!) [View in Browser]( [Runner's World Logo]( [SHOP]( [RW+ EXCLUSIVE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [Pave vs. Feel: Which Is the Better Metric?]( [Pave vs. Feel: Which Is the Better Metric?]( [Pave vs. Feel: Which Is the Better Metric?]( Running is both an art and a science in many ways, and sometimes, you choose whether you want to lean into the former or the latter. Such is the case when running by feel (art) or pace (science). Running by feel is also known as effort-based training or going by your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). “We define perceived exertion as your own subjective intensity of effort, strain, discomfort, or fatigue that you experience during exercise,” says Luke Haile, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your RPE is affected by numerous factors, from your emotional state to the weather to how well you slept the night before. “When you can understand it, it can really guide your training,” Haile says. But can ditching your watch and running by feel versus pace still get you to your goals? Read on to find out the pros and cons to both approaches, and how to know which is best for you. (Spoiler: Most likely, you’ll want to integrate a mix of both metrics!) Running is both an art and a science in many ways, and sometimes, you choose whether you want to lean into the former or the latter. Such is the case when running by feel (art) or pace (science). Running by feel is also known as effort-based training or going by your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). “We define perceived exertion as your own subjective intensity of effort, strain, discomfort, or fatigue that you experience during exercise,” says Luke Haile, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your RPE is affected by numerous factors, from your emotional state to the weather to how well you slept the night before. “When you can understand it, it can really guide your training,” Haile says. But can ditching your watch and running by feel versus pace still get you to your goals? Read on to find out the pros and cons to both approaches, and how to know which is best for you. (Spoiler: Most likely, you’ll want to integrate a mix of both metrics!) 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