November 2015 Running Challenge

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Replies

  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @5BeautifulDays -Don't get too hung up on the idea of not having your long run be too high of a % of your weekly total. Unless you are running a huge amount of miles, it's inevitable when you get in the later stages of your training. If you can add a few miles here and there to balance it out, then great, but don't let it stop you from training the way you think is right for you.

    Actually, keeping your long run within 25-35% of your weekly miles prevents overuse injuries from developing.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/making-your-long-runs-count
    https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/104uqn/the_long_run_why_20_milers_are_not_necessary_for/


    http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/are-you-putting-too-much-emphasis-on-the-long-run-as-part-of-your-marathon-training/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1hQ_kplgo

  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    edited November 2015
    November 1 - lazy day, no running
    November 2 - 17km in the morning and another 4km with my dog in the evening.
    November 3 - 10km early this morning. First snowfall of the year. :'( I'm ready for it to be summer.
    November 4 - day off
    November 5 - 10km - less than 2km in and I tripped on the sidewalk and fell hard. I shook it off and kept going. When I got home I realize my running tights were ripped and covered in blood. Yay for running in the dark.

    November Total: 41km (209km/130 miles to go)

  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Date Miles today. Miles for November

    11/1 REST DAY
    11/2 10 miles - 10
    11/3 11 miles - 21
    11/4 4 miles - 25 << Recovery Day
    11/5 11 miles - 36 << Threshold Day

    exercise.png

    WRH Panera Pounders Day: 11 miles total: 1 mi w/u @ 8:56, 3 mi @ tempo (6:57, 7:03, 7:06), 4 mi just above steady state (7:51, 7:58, 7:59, 8:06), stopped to recover then did 8x 30 sec strides plus c/d (8:59, 9:54, 9:42).


  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    edited November 2015
    @Stoshew71 Regarding the long run not being more than 25-30% of your overall mileage, I know that is the general rule of thumb, and I agree with it for the most part. However, for most people training for a marathon or even a half marathon, there comes a point when the long run is going to take up the bulk of your mileage unless you are running very high volumes. For example, I think it's more critical that someone training for a marathon reach a long run distance of 20 miles than to hit a weekly high of 60 miles. And it's also true that someone running a half marathon should hit at least one 10 miles run, but it's not necessarily important to hit 30 miles per week. My point is that you should not let one stop you from doing the other. Of course, this is just my opinion.
  • ddmom0811
    ddmom0811 Posts: 1,881 Member
    aarar wrote: »
    less than 2km in and I tripped on the sidewalk and fell hard. I shook it off and kept going. When I got home I realize my running tights were ripped and covered in blood. Yay for running in the dark.

    Oh my, hope you are okay! It's weird how you don't really notice it until you get back. That's happened to me as well. Get home and there's blood all over my toe. I felt a little something, but not that bad. I run in the dark 90% of the time and I run in the street because the sidewalks here are just too bumpy. And even going around the corners on the street where the street dips down, I have to slow down quite a bit to avoid injury. When headlights are coming I move over to grass/sidewalk briefly.

    @9voice9 - yep, this is definitely the enablers group!

    I don't have a specific bucket list of where I want to run, other than I want to run in different cities when I travel. Going to Europe next summer for 30 year anniversary so plan on running in all the cities we visit. Husband doesn't run so now sure how excited he will be for me to be gone running, but I'll make it so that he'd rather deal with that, than me being cranky not running.

    My daughter lives in NYC so when I visit I get to run there. Did Central Park, along the Hudson and around Roosevelt Island. I think the Hudson was my favorite. Central Park was beautiful but quite hilly for me. Daughter is doing a 5K in Yankee stadium which sounds like fun. (unless you are a Red Sox fan I suppose).
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    aarar wrote: »
    November 5 - 10km - less than 2km in and I tripped on the sidewalk and fell hard. I shook it off and kept going. When I got home I realize my running tights were ripped and covered in blood. Yay for running in the dark.

    Yeesh. Anything more serious than a graze? OTOH - given that we're all accusing each other of being addicted, maybe a few flesh wounds are part of the price we pay for engaging our drug of choice.... :smiley:
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    ddmom0811 wrote: »
    Daughter is doing a 5K in Yankee stadium which sounds like fun. (unless you are a Red Sox fan I suppose).

    I've been hearing the ads for that one on satellite radio. It's an interesting idea - wonder if other places might be amenable to doing it (like, Turner Field in Atlanta - before they close it down and the Braves move out to Gwinnett...).

  • 5BeautifulDays
    5BeautifulDays Posts: 683 Member
    11/1 3.1 @ 11:15 outside in the neighborhood in the rain
    11/2 rest
    11/3 5.0 @ 10:59 on the treadmill (plus a 1 mile walk and strength training)
    11/4 8.2 @ really really slow (16:04) riking (run-hiking, steep, covered with inches of leaves and treacherous fun)
    11/5 4.0 @ 12:30 recovery run plus .5 walk on the park trail

    @lporter229 and @Stoshew71 that is my dilemma--I want a 10 mile long run (eventually) on a 25-mile week, lol! I *am* getting faster and faster, especially on the treadmill. I think there will come a point soon where a 30 mile week won't feel like I do nothing but run all the time. So maybe I need to wait until I get to that point to increase my long run to 10 miles?


    exercise.png
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @Stoshew71 Regarding the long run not being more than 25-30% of your overall mileage, I know that is the general rule of thumb, and I agree with it for the most part. However, for most people training for a marathon or even a half marathon, there comes a point when the long run is going to take up the bulk of your mileage unless you are running very high volumes. For example, I think it's more critical that someone training for a marathon reach a long run distance of 20 miles than to hit a weekly high of 60 miles. And it's also true that someone running a half marathon should hit at least one 10 miles run, but it's not necessarily important to hit 30 miles per week. My point is that you should not let one stop you from doing the other. Of course, this is just my opinion.

    Read the links I left in my post answering this point (especially the video). The question becomes why do you have to run a 20 miler if you are preparing for a marathon? If it takes you longer than 2-1/2 hours to run that 20 miles, then physiologcally you are no longer benefitting from that long run, and in fact doing more to damage your body and the longer you will need to recover which takes away from other workouts. 20 miles just because some plan told you to do it? It only helps pyschologically. It makes you think you are more ready for a marathon if you ran those 20 miles. I would argue that overall weekly mileage will help you prepare more for a marathon than 1 single workout in the week.

    11/1 3.1 @ 11:15 outside in the neighborhood in the rain
    11/2 rest
    11/3 5.0 @ 10:59 on the treadmill (plus a 1 mile walk and strength training)
    11/4 8.2 @ really really slow (16:04) riking (run-hiking, steep, covered with inches of leaves and treacherous fun)
    11/5 4.0 @ 12:30 recovery run plus .5 walk on the park trail

    @lporter229 and @Stoshew71 that is my dilemma--I want a 10 mile long run (eventually) on a 25-mile week, lol! I *am* getting faster and faster, especially on the treadmill. I think there will come a point soon where a 30 mile week won't feel like I do nothing but run all the time. So maybe I need to wait until I get to that point to increase my long run to 10 miles?


    exercise.png

    Oh treadmill. I could never do more than 15 weekly miles on a treadmill. 4 miles per day is my limit. Actually I did reach 4.5 miles but that was psychologically tougher to handle. I decided to get off the treadmill before I started to seriously got to the higher mileages. It's much easier believe me to increase those miles outside than on the treadmill.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    edited November 2015
    @5BeautifulDays I just went back and re-read your posts in this thread to make sure we were on the same page. There are many different schools of thought regarding the long run. While I agree that it is ideal that it should not be more than 25-30% of your total mileage, I also think that most people running their first HM never actually get to a volume of 30 mpw, so you have to decide which is more important, one long run, or an overall higher volume. It really comes down to whether you are running your long run for the physical or mental benefits. Most people looking to do their first HM find that going into the race without having run at least one 10 mile run is really scary. Also, you want to have some experience at running over 90 minutes because adaptations are taking place at that point that you don't get from shorter distances.

    Anyway, it doesn't sound to me like this is much of an issue for you because you are close to that mileage now anyway. Just keep doing what you are doing and slowly increasing your weekly mileage along with a slight increase in your long run. You are in a good spot because you have plenty of time to get to 10 miles with the weekly base mileage to back it up.

    @Stoshew71 I did read the links and I have seen the video. I get it. While I think this is all good info, my point is that there is a mental component of running that can't be ignored either, and this is especially true for runners hitting a distance for the first time. That is where the importance of the longer run comes in. I am not by any means saying that everyone training for a marathon needs to have 20 mile training runs. But I think that first time runners really benefit from them, especially where speed is not going to be the main focus of the race.
  • dperich1968
    dperich1968 Posts: 235 Member
    I recovered from my cold by Halloween and spent the next four days babysitting two gran-babies. Was able to get a good walk in with them on Tuesday. Decided to do my long run today and the cooler weather feels so good. I love removing the layers as I progress through the miles. IT started to give me issues in between miles 5 and 6, so I walked most of the remaining distance home. Foam roller, stretches, and yoga tomorrow, hope that helps.

    So many pages to catch up on.

    Nov 3 - 4.73 walking
    Nov 5 - 7.00

    exercise.png
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @5BeautifulDays I just went back and re-read your posts in this thread to make sure we were on the same page. There are many different schools of thought regarding the long run. While I agree that it is ideal that it should not be more than 25-30% of your total mileage, I also think that most people running their first HM never actually get to a volume of 30 mpw, so you have to decide which is more important, one long run, or an overall higher volume. It really comes down to whether you are running your long run for the physical or mental benefits. Most people looking to do their first HM find that going into the race without having run at least one 10 mile run is really scary. Also, you want to have some experience at running over 90 minutes because adaptations are taking place at that point that you don't get from shorter distances.

    Anyway, it doesn't sound to me like this is much of an issue for you because you are close to that mileage now anyway. Just keep doing what you are doing and slowly increasing your weekly mileage along with a slight increase in your long run. You are in a good spot because you have plenty of time to get to 10 miles with the weekly base mileage to back it up.

    @Stoshew71 I did read the links and I have seen the video. I get it. While I think this is all good info, my point is that there is a mental component of running that can't be ignored either, and this is especially true for runners hitting a distance for the first time. That is where the importance of the longer run comes in. I am not by any means saying that everyone training for a marathon needs to have 20 mile training runs. But I think that first time runners really benefit from them, especially where speed is not going to be the main focus of the race.

    I agree that 90 minutes is the minimum to strive for to make those adaptions (it stresses the fat burning harmones). The more often you can do 90+ minute long runs, the better you become as a fat burner which is important because preserving your glycogen becomes a factor for longer distances. But it has to be done consistently to allow those adaptions to be made. Running consistently for weeks on end where your long run goes over 35% of weekly miles is just asking for overuse injuries. I seen too many stress fractures and other injuries in my running group from people building up their long runs heavier than the rest of their weekly workouts. It may be ok for a few weeks but then it will haunt you in the long run (pun intended).

    And yes the 20 miler is a big mental boost. I would just say be careful. I am not a big advocate in pushing someone into a marathon if they are not ready for one.

  • GBrady43068
    GBrady43068 Posts: 1,256 Member
    edited November 2015
    My shoes are super cheap L.A. Gear :D

    Goal for month: 60

    11/01: None
    11/02: Didn’t do any yesterday but I got in a respectable 3.2 today.
    11/03: No run, a little over an hour of mini-cycle in my cube
    11/04: No run
    11/05: Not a lot of time this morning but I did get in 2.9.

    exercise.png
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »

    And yes the 20 miler is a big mental boost. I would just say be careful. I am not a big advocate in pushing someone into a marathon if they are not ready for one.

    Amen! ;)
  • 5BeautifulDays
    5BeautifulDays Posts: 683 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    Oh treadmill. I could never do more than 15 weekly miles on a treadmill. 4 miles per day is my limit. Actually I did reach 4.5 miles but that was psychologically tougher to handle. I decided to get off the treadmill before I started to seriously got to the higher mileages. It's much easier believe me to increase those miles outside than on the treadmill.


    I usually do my long run (and at least two other runs) outside and on a trail--my treadmill days are on the days I'm already in the gym for strength training, or if the weather is not good. I started out training exclusively on the treadmill, but it is definitely better outside for distance. For speed, though, I do like the consistency I get on the treadmill, and speed runs are usually short runs for me (3 miles). The only way I do a long run on the treadmill is if there is a good movie on in the gym cinema!
  • 5BeautifulDays
    5BeautifulDays Posts: 683 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @5BeautifulDays I just went back and re-read your posts in this thread to make sure we were on the same page. There are many different schools of thought regarding the long run. While I agree that it is ideal that it should not be more than 25-30% of your total mileage, I also think that most people running their first HM never actually get to a volume of 30 mpw, so you have to decide which is more important, one long run, or an overall higher volume. It really comes down to whether you are running your long run for the physical or mental benefits. Most people looking to do their first HM find that going into the race without having run at least one 10 mile run is really scary. Also, you want to have some experience at running over 90 minutes because adaptations are taking place at that point that you don't get from shorter distances.

    Anyway, it doesn't sound to me like this is much of an issue for you because you are close to that mileage now anyway. Just keep doing what you are doing and slowly increasing your weekly mileage along with a slight increase in your long run. You are in a good spot because you have plenty of time to get to 10 miles with the weekly base mileage to back it up.

    Yes, the more I think about it, the more I think that a 30 mpw week isn't that far away for me, so that should be my first goal, rather than increasing my long run. When I get there, I'll still have time to get up to a 10-miler with at least a month or more to spare before the half.

    And because I'm doing my long runs on trails where my speed is anywhere from 12:30-16 mm, I'm already out there running for 90 minutes to 2 hours. I need to add in a few street runs and see how long it takes me to do my 8 mile long run.
  • Ohhim
    Ohhim Posts: 1,142 Member
    edited November 2015
    Finally landed a spot for Ironman Florida next November via their ready to race package this morning. Glad I checked out social media to learn about that route, as I'm racing during the regular on-sale time on Sunday, the race usually sells out in an hour or two, and I have friends in Augusta I can visit when doing the mandated package purchase of the IM Augusta 70.3. No dreams of qualifying for Kona via that race, as only 50 spots are available (vs. 2500 competitors), but I'll worry about crossing that bridge after qualifying for Boston. That'll up my planned 2016 marathon count to 3 - and hopefully get my fitness ready for doing a BQ attempt in 2017.

    Got in 6 hot & muggy miles last light with a neighbor who is joining me for the rock & roll race in vegas (but just doing the 10K), and he seems to be getting more comfortable with the distance.

    Also, while in spendthrift mode, with all of the shoe talk, I found a pair of Cumulus 16 lite shows for $65, so I snagged them via amazon last night, as they'll be perfect for running down the Las Vegas strip at night in a week and a half.

    11/1 - 4 miles
    11/2 - 4 miles
    11/3 - 9 miles
    11/4 - 6 miles

    Total: 23 miles
    Target: 220 miles
    Remaining: 197 miles
  • snha
    snha Posts: 388 Member
    So busy, am gonna flip! Well, not that bad, I feel lucky doing what I like, but omg how busy it gets sometimes! But, I managed to get a run.

    11/1 4.71 miles
    11/2 no run—elliptical for an hour though!
    11/3 5.27 miles — lake path. here are a couple of pictures!
    11/4 no run--elliptical for an hour.
    11/5 4 miles--nice run, but my left calf decided to go crazy today for some reason! I did finish my run, although the last mile was painful, like a cramp, but not fully :(

    exercise.png
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    edited November 2015
    Today's run was bad all around. I was on the treadmill, kept getting the urge to go to the bathroom and my legs felt like lead. They didn't hurt at all, just felt heavy and tired. I planned on running 6 miles today and made it just over 3 1/2.

    11/01: 6.19
    11/03: 4.7
    11/05: 3.7

    exercise.png

    ETA: @shanaber reminded me of a question I had for everyone... is there a target HR I should be aiming for during my runs? Today I was between 145-147 most of the time and was told that was pretty high. Some runs my HR is around 135 and others it's above 150. Until now, I haven't paid much attention to it.
  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    aarar wrote: »
    less than 2km in and I tripped on the sidewalk and fell hard. I shook it off and kept going. When I got home I realize my running tights were ripped and covered in blood. Yay for running in the dark.

    Hope you are ok! I fell in a hole yesterday and thought I had sprained my ankle for sure, though it feels good today. Hope you're not too sore.

  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    edited November 2015
    ddmom0811 wrote: »
    I don't have a specific bucket list of where I want to run, other than I want to run in different cities when I travel. Going to Europe next summer for 30 year anniversary so plan on running in all the cities we visit. Husband doesn't run so now sure how excited he will be for me to be gone running, but I'll make it so that he'd rather deal with that, than me being cranky not running.

    A bucket list... I don't have one.. I am just looking forward to running in a few 5 and 10k races next year :smiley:
    Most of the popular races around here fall between March and August. There are a few here and there outside of those months though they are a bit further away than what I can get to right now.

    How awesome to plan to run around Europe too! :smile: You will have an amazing time!
  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    Today's run was bad all around. I was on the treadmill, kept getting the urge to go to the bathroom and my legs felt like lead. They didn't hurt at all, just felt heavy and tired. I planned on running 6 miles today and made it just over 3 1/2.

    I've had a few of these days too.. I'm having down weeks now every 3-4 weeks where I only run 5-6k per run for that week.. It was meantioned here, possibly by @Stoshew71 ? I've found that my runs this week (5x5x4k) have all been slow and sluggish but yesterday (the 4k) I felt really good and even managed to throw some sprints in! :smile:
    The idea behind it is to give your body time to adjust and absorb the distances you are running and any new mileage that you have added recently. So gives your body a rest while still running.
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    edited November 2015
    kareF wrote: »
    Today's run was bad all around. I was on the treadmill, kept getting the urge to go to the bathroom and my legs felt like lead. They didn't hurt at all, just felt heavy and tired. I planned on running 6 miles today and made it just over 3 1/2.

    I've had a few of these days too.. I'm having down weeks now every 3-4 weeks where I only run 5-6k per run for that week.. It was meantioned here, possibly by @Stoshew71 ? I've found that my runs this week (5x5x4k) have all been slow and sluggish but yesterday (the 4k) I felt really good and even managed to throw some sprints in! :smile:
    The idea behind it is to give your body time to adjust and absorb the distances you are running and any new mileage that you have added recently. So gives your body a rest while still running.

    I was thinking about that today. I'd like to incorporate shorter runs into my training since the 10k app has me doing 5-6 miles every time I run (since I'm in the last 2 weeks of the training). Today I barely managed to make it 3 1/2. I seem to remember seeing the down week discussion, also. I'll go back and take a look - thank you!
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    Going back a couple of days to catch up and comment on some of what I have read:
    @skippygirlsmom - love the picture of Skip flying!
    @9voice9 - I buy my shoes based on how they feel and not so much on price. I have had expensive ones that didn't work out (Brooks) and less expensive ones that became a favorite (Altras) so I base my decision on fit and feel. I won't buy based just on the sales person's direction - in my experience they are there to sell and want to sell what will give them the best commission. Like @skippygirlsmom and others, I will look for the ones I like on sale, at expos, and online to get the best price and often will go after older models that I like. I also keep several in rotation - I have 3 active pairs now, with 3 others in standby, including my expensive Brooks that seem to make my knees and hips ache.
    I also think you definitely need to sign up for the Peachtree road race! Yes, we are all a group of running enablers! as @kristinegift said - the best kind of enablers :)
    I don't have a running bucket list yet, but I would like to run a race (HM or 10k) in all 50 states.

    @rogue024 - oh my gosh! I read about the pumpkin pancakes and thought how good they would be with maple syrup and started to drool! Sounds so delicious I am going to have to try some!
    @snha - love your lake route pictures! I am also SO busy. I keep telling myself it is a good thing to be busy and to be happy I don't have to travel right now too!
    @Stoshew71 - love the 'You know you're a runner...'
    @emmab0902 - do you swim competitively?
    @juliet3455 - I also have HMs on those same weekends in February. Granted mine will be in much different conditions from yours so probably easier :)
    @7lenny7 - Does Kody hunt with you?
    @aarar - Ouch! Hope you are ok! I have fallen hard a couple of times and continued on and felt ok until the next day. Hope that wasn't the case for you!

    Had the best run this morning than I have had in a while. It was an inauspicious start and I thought it was going to be a really tired run but my legs kicked in and I was able to get in a progressive tempo run (12, 11, 10, 9.5, 9.5, 10). I even drove my HR to 148 - the highest I have been able to get to.

    Date..........Miles.........Total
    11/01.......0.00...........0.00
    11/02.......4.84...........4.84
    11/03.......5.20.........10.04
    11/04.......0.00.........10.04
    11/05.......6.23.........16.27

    exercise.png

    These are my upcoming races, let me know if you are going to be running too:
    11/21/15 - USA Invitational Half, San Diego, CA
    12/27/15 - Holiday Half, San Diego, CA
    02/07/15 - Surf City Half, Huntington Beach, CA
    02/20/15 - Special Edition Divas Half, Temecula, CA
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @5BeautifulDays -Don't get too hung up on the idea of not having your long run be too high of a % of your weekly total. Unless you are running a huge amount of miles, it's inevitable when you get in the later stages of your training. If you can add a few miles here and there to balance it out, then great, but don't let it stop you from training the way you think is right for you.

    Actually, keeping your long run within 25-35% of your weekly miles prevents overuse injuries from developing.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/making-your-long-runs-count
    https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/104uqn/the_long_run_why_20_milers_are_not_necessary_for/


    http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/are-you-putting-too-much-emphasis-on-the-long-run-as-part-of-your-marathon-training/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1hQ_kplgo

    Very true re: overuse. This is the first time I haven't had an overuse injury of some sort a few weeks out from a marathon, and this is also the first time my LRs have been in that 25-35% range.

    However I think that reddit link is a bit too conservative. I make the LR cut-off ~3 hours, not 2-2.5 for a marathon. I think you'd want to have some idea of how difficult the race will be and how tired you'll be so you can prepare mentally. But I'd agree that not everyone needs to do 20 because that may take too much time and be too difficult to recover from (though I'd also gently suggest that if a 20 miler leaves you hobbling for days, perhaps your training for 26.2 hasn't been so great). Personally, I think it's up to the individual, their training load, and how they know they can recover. I ran for 3 hours and 20 minutes on Sunday, and I managed to run my regular miles the rest of the week unimpeded. But that's because I've trained to be able to do that and because that 22 miles was only ~35-40% of my weekly mileage. There's no way I'd be singing the same tune a year ago when my marathon training mileage topped out at 38 mpw.
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    I missed who started the topic but as far as a bucket list of races, most are local:

    1. Lake Wobegone Marathon - May 2016. A small Minnesota race on my list only because it will be my first marathon.
    2. Twin Cities Marathon - local race, likely in 2017
    3. Portland, OR Marathon - I love that area and my sister lives out there. Same weekend as the TC Marathon so maybe 2018.
    4. Grandma's Marathon - Duluth, MN, in my favorite part of the state.
    5. Superior Fall Trail Race - up past Duluth on the Superior Hiking Trail. Options are 100mi, 50mi, and 26.2mi

    At this point I have no desire to do one of the big marathons. but that could change.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    kareF wrote: »
    Today's run was bad all around. I was on the treadmill, kept getting the urge to go to the bathroom and my legs felt like lead. They didn't hurt at all, just felt heavy and tired. I planned on running 6 miles today and made it just over 3 1/2.

    I've had a few of these days too.. I'm having down weeks now every 3-4 weeks where I only run 5-6k per run for that week.. It was meantioned here, possibly by @Stoshew71 ? I've found that my runs this week (5x5x4k) have all been slow and sluggish but yesterday (the 4k) I felt really good and even managed to throw some sprints in! :smile:
    The idea behind it is to give your body time to adjust and absorb the distances you are running and any new mileage that you have added recently. So gives your body a rest while still running.


    This one????

    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    @Somebody_Loved I agreed with @ddmom0811. New doc. When I started out I couldn't follow a program. I had to "run" by time and gradually add. I'd repeat weeks until I was comfortable moving to the next. You have some respectable mileage going on. Maybe cut a few days to 2.5 miles and have a long 5-6+ miles run once a week. Pain is a warning to back off. It takes me a good 2 miles to get in the groove. They are my warm up miles. I know they'll suck, so I don't fret over it. Run by feel, not a program.

    Happy running!

    We call these cutback (or down) weeks. That is the biggest lesson I learned recently. Plan about 1 week each month where you will run about 20% less mileage to absorb the training. If your body says you need one sooner or longer than a week, I highly advise you to listen to your body. This past spring I screwed up my 10 miler race and like 4 weeks of training because I refused to take a down week after increasing mileage for like 6 weeks. I paid for it. Something I won't do again.

  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    lporter229 wrote: »
    @5BeautifulDays -Don't get too hung up on the idea of not having your long run be too high of a % of your weekly total. Unless you are running a huge amount of miles, it's inevitable when you get in the later stages of your training. If you can add a few miles here and there to balance it out, then great, but don't let it stop you from training the way you think is right for you.

    Actually, keeping your long run within 25-35% of your weekly miles prevents overuse injuries from developing.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/making-your-long-runs-count
    https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/104uqn/the_long_run_why_20_milers_are_not_necessary_for/


    http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/are-you-putting-too-much-emphasis-on-the-long-run-as-part-of-your-marathon-training/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1hQ_kplgo

    Very true re: overuse. This is the first time I haven't had an overuse injury of some sort a few weeks out from a marathon, and this is also the first time my LRs have been in that 25-35% range.

    However I think that reddit link is a bit too conservative. I make the LR cut-off ~3 hours, not 2-2.5 for a marathon. I think you'd want to have some idea of how difficult the race will be and how tired you'll be so you can prepare mentally. But I'd agree that not everyone needs to do 20 because that may take too much time and be too difficult to recover from (though I'd also gently suggest that if a 20 miler leaves you hobbling for days, perhaps your training for 26.2 hasn't been so great). Personally, I think it's up to the individual, their training load, and how they know they can recover. I ran for 3 hours and 20 minutes on Sunday, and I managed to run my regular miles the rest of the week unimpeded. But that's because I've trained to be able to do that and because that 22 miles was only ~35-40% of my weekly mileage. There's no way I'd be singing the same tune a year ago when my marathon training mileage topped out at 38 mpw.

    Yeah, I also am guilty of sneaking a few in just a little over 3 hours. :open_mouth: I try not to do it too often now.
  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    shanaber wrote: »
    @7lenny7 - Does Kody hunt with you?

    @shanaber, Kody is indeed a hunting dog and that was the main reason we got him. I'm not exaggerating when I say hunting is the highlight of the year for him. He's been watching me get ready for this trip and going crazy wanting to get in my truck and GO! I may be biased but Kody is by far the best bird dog I've ever hunted over. He points, he flushes, he retrieves, and he'll do it all day long if you let him. All with incredible obedience.

    Here's a picture of my boys & I after a day's hunt last year (*dead animal warning*).
    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t31.0-8/10608313_10205402037280364_4580319707351834827_o.jpg

    And here's Kody waiting for the command to start hunting the next field.

    10818422_10205402035640323_8346313982752680152_o.jpg
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    edited November 2015
    kareF wrote: »
    Today's run was bad all around. I was on the treadmill, kept getting the urge to go to the bathroom and my legs felt like lead. They didn't hurt at all, just felt heavy and tired. I planned on running 6 miles today and made it just over 3 1/2.

    I've had a few of these days too.. I'm having down weeks now every 3-4 weeks where I only run 5-6k per run for that week.. It was meantioned here, possibly by @Stoshew71 ? I've found that my runs this week (5x5x4k) have all been slow and sluggish but yesterday (the 4k) I felt really good and even managed to throw some sprints in! :smile:
    The idea behind it is to give your body time to adjust and absorb the distances you are running and any new mileage that you have added recently. So gives your body a rest while still running.


    Found these 2 as well:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34481494#Comment_34481494
    kareF wrote: »
    Yes, I'm trying to figure out if there is a "better" plan for where I'm at. I've done two 5k and two 10k races, but this will be my first half marathon. I'm 44 and was never athletic before, so I don't have a "base" I'm building from. I've been running since January/February when I started something rather like C25K. I've been running 20-25 miles per week since mid-late summer, but since then I've mostly been working on increasing my speed little by little, rather than distance. Now I need to work on both! I think what makes me question the whole "do what I'm already doing, just add a mile to my long run" approach is that it makes my long run such a giant portion of my weekly miles, and the consensus around here seems to be that that is a bad idea. On the other hand, it would mean that I don't have to modify my schedule all that much, so it's good from that perspective.

    Anyway, I appreciate your perspective. I think I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and just inch up the long run, unless and until I find something else that stands out as a better way to do this.

    I am stuck in a similar place. I am introducing a forth running day, as hard as it is I'll see how I go at first.. Depends if the kids have anything on during the week etc but I'm going to try!

    I'm going to give this a go..

    Week 1- Run your usual distances this week.
    Week 2- Run 10-20% more than week 1.
    Week 3- Repeat week 2.
    Week 4- (Down week) Run 15-20% less than week 1.

    In the next week, for week 1- Run 10% more than the previous week 1. This is how you increase slowly.

    It's slow.. But I'm just using this is a base as I really like running 5-10k at the moment and don't want to push too hard too fast above the 10k mark. I'm only increasing 10% weekly to see how I go for now. I got this idea from an article in runner's world here:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/the-most-effective-way-to-use-down-weeks

    I added an extra week in my little plan so it's 4 weeks rather than 3 though.


    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/33749934#Comment_33749934
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    I shared these 2 posts on my FB Running page this morning. Thought I share it with the group.

    This is is all about cutback weeks and a prospective from a great marathon runner Ryan Hall:
    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/the-most-effective-way-to-use-down-weeks

    And this one is abour runners over 40:
    http://athlinks.wpengine.com/over-40-or-new-to-running-you-still-have-hope/

    My FB page:
    https://www.facebook.com/therunningstan