Concept
Easy run
A controlled, repeatable run that leaves enough recovery capacity for the rest of the week.
What makes a run easy
The defining feature is not pace. Breathing, muscle strain, conversation, and next-day recovery should all remain controlled.
Why it matters
Easy running lets a runner accumulate aerobic work and practice movement without creating the recovery cost of frequent hard sessions.
Easy does not mean useless
A slower pace can be the correct training decision when it allows more consistent weeks and better quality on the days intended to be hard.
How to use it
Finish feeling that you could continue, and confirm that normal training is possible again within one or two days.
Common misconception
An easy run is not a failed fast run, and its pace cannot be judged against another runner's pace.