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What Are Pace Insight Recommendations and How Do They Work?

Find out how your training is monitored and what Pace Insights recommendations mean for you!

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Written by Product Managers
Updated this week

What are Pace Insights?

Pace Insights are a feature that help us assess your current performance and tailor your training plan to your ability. This personalisation helps to ensure that your training remains effective, sustainable and enjoyable!


How do Pace Insights it work?

We compare how you’re performing in your speed sessions (intervals, tempo runs and time trials) with the paces set in your plan, and we monitor how consistent you are within and between workouts. If we detect a clear trend, we’ll suggest a recommendation to bring your training paces in line with your current performance.

You should receive a Pace Status update after each interval, tempo, or time trial workout. If you can’t see this, please check the FAQs below for support.


How do I access Pace Insights?

You’ll find Pace Insights in the Plan tab of your Runna app. There, you’ll see a status card based on how your recent speed sessions are going:

  • Pace on Point: You’re perfectly on track with your plan.

  • Ahead of the Pack: You’re ahead of your plan. Tap 'View update' to see your recommended pace change.

  • Let’s Review Your Pace: A pace decrease may make training more effective and enjoyable. Tap 'View update' to see your recommended pace change.

  • Variable Pace Detected: We can’t make a recommendation just yet as your results have been mixed. Focus on hitting your pace targets and staying consistent!

  • Monitoring Your Pace Data: We don’t have enough data yet, so you'll receive this when you're new to a plan or you've recently updated your paces. Complete your next interval, tempo or time trial session to generate more data!


FAQs

Do I have to accept my pace target recommendation?

If you do receive a pace change recommendation, you don’t have to accept it. While it’s based on your recent performance, we can’t account for factors like weather, undulating terrain, poor sleep, or inadequate fuelling just yet. You're in control, so take a look at our Pace Insights chart and interpret the recommendations as you see fit!

Will my plan change if I accept a pace recommendation shift?

Yes, but the only thing that will change is your pace targets! Your plan will remain exactly the same, and Runna will update the pace targets throughout your plan to better align with your current ability.

Remember that easy runs should always feel comfortable and conversational, regardless of any pace changes!

I didn't accept my pace recommendation shift - how can I change my pace targets?

No worries! You can either continue with your plan and wait for another pace recommendation after your next speed workout, or adjust your pace targets manually.

To update your paces manually in the Runna app:

  1. Go to the Plan tab

  2. Tap Manage Plan

  3. Scroll down to Estimated Race Time

We recommend adjusting your estimated race time by 20–30 seconds at a time to avoid making large changes to your target paces too quickly.

Why are my pace recommendations inconsistent?

If you think you’re hitting your target paces during your speed workouts, inconsistent recommendations could be due to an unstable GPS signal. Pace Insights rely on your device’s GPS, so poor signal can sometimes lead to conflicting pace recommendations.

To help improve accuracy, please check the following:

  • Make sure Low Power Mode isn’t enabled on your phone or watch.

  • Try to avoid running in areas with large buildings or poor signal coverage that could interfere with GPS.

  • Ensure Runna has all the required location and background permissions:

    • On iOS: Settings → General → Background App Refresh

    • On Android: turn off any battery optimisation settings for the Runna app.

  • Check that you’re not using another GPS-based app at the same time (such as Strava or other fitness tracking apps).

I've completed my first speed workout - why haven't I received a pace recommendation?

You’ll need to complete three planned speed workouts (tempo, intervals or a time trial) before we’re able to generate a pace recommendation. Keep going!

Why has my card been saying 'Monitoring Your Pace Data' for multiple weeks?

There are a few possible reasons for why you may not have received a Pace Insight:

  • Workouts have been recorded manually:
    Make sure you’re recording your workouts directly through the Runna app on your phone, or with the Runna workout on your smartwatch. Unfortunately, 'free runs' and manual uploads cannot be used for pace analysis.

  • Pace targets are turned off:
    Go to Profile (top left) → Workout Settings and check that Pace Targets are switched on.

  • You recently updated your estimated race time:
    Updating your estimated race time will reset your Pace Status, so you’ll need to complete more speed sessions before receiving an update.

  • Inconsistent or in-complete workout data:
    Pace Insights rely on consistent data to provide a true recommendation, so aim to complete your workouts as planned, including the warm-up, cool down and any planned reps. If your warm-up is going to differ from the planned distance, head to your Profile → Workouts and tick Open Warm-Up.

After making any changes to your Runna settings, you'll need to refresh any third-party app and watch connections (e.g Garmin or COROS) via Bluetooth.


How can I give feedback on my pace recommendations?

We’d love your feedback. Please fill out this short survey with your thoughts - it helps us understand what’s working well and what we should build for you next!

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