July (2016) Running Challenge

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  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    Question: What do you do to cross-train with your running? I'm looking for ideas to add to my book of tips as I like variety and would love to pick your running brains. :smiley:

    A follow-up question: Do you run every day, or skip a day and cross-train the days you don't run?

    I ask, but there's so much literature out there that says that running every day isn't good or yes, do run everyday.
    Personally, I run 5 times a week and try to do something different on weekends. It's the "something different" that tends to mess me up. Lately it's been yoga, but I feel I need more strength training as the yoga moves I do are more therapeutic/restorative.

    you and I are kinda in the same place. I love my yoga and body weight stuff from my Sworkit app. I will be doing my first 5K ever in September! I am using the C25K app for my running which goes in a 3 runs a week schedule. So I try to do full body workouts or core strength on my non run days and then when I do run I tend to do a few extra minutes of yoga. I try to do yoga everyday. ***Note: I am new to running and have no training or trainer, I'm just doing this for me and I'm just listening closely to my body's cues.

    i also do (aerial) yoga on my days off. i teach it on weds, go to an open gym on fridays in summer, and have a hammock hung at home. it helps a lot.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    ereck44 wrote: »
    Your discussion regarding aging and VO2 max is very interesting. There is a lot of information there and I want to re-read it a couple of times. What is LT, by the way?
    I should probably clarify that while this started about VO2Max because I was looking into adding more VO2Max workouts based on my own personal running background and present abilities. In truth the blog and book I am discussing is about a more holistic view of fitness for runners, cyclers, swimmers, triathletes as they age. It just so happens that the thing that gets stressed a bit is VO2Max because it is what many endurance athletes have to somewhat focus less on for endurance, and most forsake altogether as they age. :smile:

    As for LT, it is Lactate Threshold, which is the effort at which the accumulation of lactate from exercising reaches the threshold that the uptake of lactate for energy by the muscles is exceeded causing it to accumulate in the muscle faster than it is consumed, which results (from further processes) in fatigue. One measure of it, as you can infer from a few prior posts, is that LT should be the effort you can maintain for 1 hour before hitting fatigue and unable to continue. You can get your estimated LT based on race times. You can also be tested for it, but that is not something many do save for competitive level athletes.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    got any idea where to find better idea of max HR?
    A test would be best, but I have never done that myself!:lol: You can also do tests on your own by exercising at maximal effort for a period of time and seeing what your HR is when you can absolutely no longer continue.

    In my case I have estimated mine by all of the data I have accumulated from prior races, training times at various efforts, and plugging it all into the Jack Daniels training tables spreadsheet I downloaded from here:
    http://www.electricblues.com/html/runpro.html

    After putting in my known info, age, resting HR and race times I started to get an idea of what I should be capable of at other distances, but it never seemed to add up. As I focused on shorter distances (easier to repeat more often) I noticed that things were still a bit off in terms of where the spreadsheet had my LT and maximal 100% effort at. I was able to get that to finally add up by modifying my max HR upwards to 184 from the 180 I previously had. Since doing that the paces line up with observed HR/efforts for each distance very well. So based on that I estimate my max HR to be 184 because of all that. But it took me a lot of time to gather enough data and become familiar enough with what I really was capable of at each distance and what my efforts/pace at those distances were, so that I could make it all line up. Not sure if this helps, as it could actually lead you astray, but it is what worked for me.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    Stoshew71 wrote: »
    Ohhim wrote: »
    I suppose one thing this book made me consider about aging is looking back at people new here at MFP, or even when I was new here. The motivation may be temporary at first, but some come here (or return) saying "I hope to make long term health changes that I can apply for the rest of my life". And that's the key for diet, right? Just because you turn 70 doesn't mean you should start eating more pizza delivery because it's easier than cooking, right? Well, the same should be said of exercising, I suppose.

    For me, I've found speedwork works like a crash diet. I can add it to a 50 mile/week training cycle for bits of time (2-3 months leading up to a marathon), but I notice that if I try to sustain it, running becomes less fun, my weekly mileage drops pretty substantially, I'm less motivated to bike as well, and my weight starts inching up. Given that I'm pretty awful at adjusting my diet down when my workout totals drop, I've come to the conclusion that outside of training leading up to my A races, I'm better off just cutting out the non-fun running, keeping my mileage/time up, and the weight related time benefits (I've seen about 2 minutes/pound lost at marathons) usually trumps the extra squeeked out minutes from better fitness.

    Once I get closer to Chicago in October, as I'd like to inch under the 3 hour mark (given the flat course) I'll be back up to 2-3 faster sessions/week, but for now, I'm totally ok just slogging it out for a few extra miles at a comfortable pace so I can enjoy some dessert, and not feel like I'm hoping for death doing threshold pace runs in the summer Florida heat/humidity. I may re-evaluate things once my BMI get closer to the magical 21 mark (and I lose the ability to just get faster from keeping up my running and losing weight), or if Boston becomes a transcendental experience that I feel the need to repeat every year and slow down when older, but as long as I'm still above that mark (and have about 15 more pounds to lose on top of the 100 so far), LSD is definitely the answer for me.

    So here's the thing about speed work, and this conforms what @Ohhim is saying above. Speedwork (being defined as reps at or near VO2Max) will only serve as a positive when you perform them for a short metacycle. In English, only do them once or at most twice a week for at most 5 or 6 weeks just before your key race. Do too much speedwork and it will begin to tax you. This article explains it better:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/when-speedwork-sabotages-your-gains
    Thanks for reminding me of that. I do recall reading that before. :smile:
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    @Stoshew71 - Since I had not yet been able to offer any insight into HOW this book might recommend integrating such speedwork sessions and when, I thought I would share this thing that I read, linked from one of his blog posts or perhaps a search I did. On the one hand, he tries to make it clear that there is not a "template" for all, but it may show an idea of how he may describe integrating these workouts later on in this book.

    http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/periodization-and-mixed-training
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    @stoshew71 I did see where the Pounders were going on a field trip. Sounds like fun. I played landscaper last night and I agree it was way hot last night for some reason. Like the new shorts.
    @5beautifuldays I agree the heat as been crazy
    @kristinegift I LOVE THAT HAT!!!! I love talking Jersey with Stan too, I really miss home...not the cost of living and certainly not the winter, but I miss my friends/family and the BEACH. In the summer Skip and I would eat from one of the Seaside boardwalk to the other. Great food!
    @tattooeddolphingirl78 good luck in your 5K!!!
    @5512bf 72 laps, I'd throw up. I love your list of runs, such great variety.

    I've also enjoyed reading all the "technical" running stuff the past few days. Lots goes over my head, but it's interesting. It interests me more honestly for Skip especially things about speed work etc. Very interesting.
  • greenolivetree
    greenolivetree Posts: 1,282 Member
    July 1 - 5 mile run with 3 miles of hills....10 min pilates
    July 2 - 2 mi "trail running fail".....4 miles real running :-p
    July 3 - 2.5 mi hard run
    July 4 - Rest day
    July 5 - 3 mi easy run....1.5 mi walk with sprinting intervals....25 min strength/pilates/stretching
    July 6 - 4 mi run
    July 7 - 30 min indoor cardio, 30 min strength/pilates
    July 8 - 6 mile run with 2 miles of hill repeats
    26 miles of 60 (all bonus miles go to our invalids)

    Had a great run today! I'm always glad I ran but rarely feel it was great. It was 72 with 74% humidity and I swear it felt darn near chilly when I stepped out. LOL We had rain coming and it just felt different outside. And my breathing was better than it's been in 10-14 days. It was like I had a new set of lungs :-D

    1.25 warmup with gradual decline. 2 miles of 6 hill repeats. I shortened that other hill to be .15 mi up, 39 ft, 4.5% incline. After that I ran a little further downhill and then the way home was gradual incline. 329ft total elevation. Managed to run my last mile in 8:38 but it was flat. My glutes were burning after the hills but I apparently had some energy left.

    @ceciliaslater Way to go!

    Welcome to the group @chante_04 :)

    @lporter229 I'm opposite.....Strava gives me more elevation than Garmin. I always feel Garmin is wrong. But I think they are both just good estimates anyway, neither completely accurate.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    edited July 2016

    1.5 miles of 0 mile goal completed. Even though I'm now capable of running, I am not changing my mileage goal of 0 for the month, as I want to continue to encourage smart progress and healing rather than challenging myself to meet specific mileage.

    Great run! So nice to see it!

    I was already thinking how to plan my August miles, and setting a goal in my head. I figure if I just wing it, I'll run everyday and try to make up for lost time. I'll keep in mind smart progress!

    August 1st I should get to ditch the crutches. So I shouldn't be setting any expectations..
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    @Stoshew71 - Since I had not yet been able to offer any insight into HOW this book might recommend integrating such speedwork sessions and when, I thought I would share this thing that I read, linked from one of his blog posts or perhaps a search I did. On the one hand, he tries to make it clear that there is not a "template" for all, but it may show an idea of how he may describe integrating these workouts later on in this book.

    http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/periodization-and-mixed-training

    Thanks a bunch for the link.

    Periodization is something credited to Arthur Lydiard who discovered it over 50 years ago. I got his book "Run the Lydiard Way" which talks very good about this.

    The other take away I got from that link is confirmed in the link I shared about speedwork sabotaging your gains.

    Your link says, "Not doing anaerobic workouts at all for several weeks means you will lose anaerobic fitness"

    My link says, "Delay frequent (1-2 times per week) speed training until 4-8 weeks before your peak race. Limit any speed workouts during base to once every 3-6 weeks."

    They kind of say the same thing.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    edited July 2016
    (Cue A Flock of Seagulls) And I ran, I ran so far awaaaay...

    I ran all night and day, I couldn't get away.




    Now that we got that song stuck in your head, think about that camera panning around in circles and getting you all dizzy.
  • TattooedDolphinGirl78
    TattooedDolphinGirl78 Posts: 5,214 Member
    edited July 2016
    @lps1dragonfly You and I are pretty much in the same place after reading your post. I've been adding tougher yoga postures and I'm starting to feel it. I'm very new to all this, and the technical stuff I've been reading the past few days is enough to make me scared. lol Seriously though, like you, I'm doing this for me, listening to my body and doing what's best for me so I don't get injured. :smile:
  • TattooedDolphinGirl78
    TattooedDolphinGirl78 Posts: 5,214 Member
    edited July 2016
    @mbaker566 Cool! A friend of mine does it too. I might look into that one day when I feel stronger in both mind and body. :smile:
  • TattooedDolphinGirl78
    TattooedDolphinGirl78 Posts: 5,214 Member
    @skippygirlsmom Thanks! :smile:
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    01/07 4 miles
    05/07 4 miles
    08/07 4 miles - I forgot to press the start button until 3/4mile when I went to check my heart rate. But I did the miles and that is more important.


    exercise.png

    Nope, if its not on strava, then you didn't do it. ;-) Just kidding. Not really, but yeah, just kidding.
  • HonuNui
    HonuNui Posts: 1,464 Member
    July goal.....run

    7/1 snorkel 4 hours
    7/2 7.53
    7/3 3.23
    7/4 3.29
    7/5 rest
    7/6 4.39
    7/7 3.25
    7/8 7.24

    Total 28.93

    Upcoming races:
    SHEPower Virtual Half: July 18
    Las Vegas RocknRoll Virtual runs--making the band
    ......Guitar Solo 6/28 3.85
    ......Drum Solo in August
    ......Lead Singer in September
    Las Vegas RocknRoll Half 11/13/16

    Ticker is my goal for 2016 and accumulation to date:
    exercise.png


    exercise.png

  • AdrianChr92
    AdrianChr92 Posts: 567 Member
    @Stoshew71 In his last book Daniels says you can keep your pace at your VO2Max for about 11 minutes. aopatjq5gxbz.jpg

    I know a 5k is raced at close or at V02Max which is why they are such a pain



    Date.....Distance..Avg hr/Pace/km
    July 1 - 7.7 km - 148/6:09
    July 2 - 5.8 km - 147/6:56
    July 3 - 11.6km - 151/6:22
    July 4 - rest
    July 5 - 7.0 km - 149/6:34
    July 6 - 6.5 km - 147/6:32
    July 7 - 4.4 km - 139/7:00
    July 8 - 5.7 km - ???/7:00


    exercise.png

    03/04: Bucharest 10k and Family run 48:28
    16/04: Color Run Bucharest
    17/04: Forest Run 5k 22:05
    04/06: Happy Run 5k 21:57
    22/07: Bucharest After9Cross 9.5k
    28/08: Fox Trail Half Marathon (10k)
    18/09: Baneasa Trail Run (10k)
    09/10: Bucharest International Marathon (Half)
  • Savyna
    Savyna Posts: 789 Member

    exercise.png


    Because of the heatwave this week I didnt really get to do much running, but I did take walks just to try and compensate for it. It's cooling down again so I'm looking forward to a nice jog this weekend.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    @AdrianChr92 Excellent excerpt.

    First off, the world record for a 5K is 12:37.35 by Kenenisa Bekele. So according to Jack Daniels, very few people will run a 5K at VO2Max if they determined ~11 minutes to be the maximum anyone can run at vVO2. I think I said 6-8 minutes, so it's a little more than that but not much.

    I just know that I can't run more than a few minutes at my vVO2, although it's probably very evident from the fact that I haven't really dedicated much to speed work outs. Not yet at least.

    Jimmy Gilbert. In one of the videos I posted, Daniels calls him Filthy Gilbert. He's from Tillman High School in Paducka, KY. He just rags on him hard about the HS varsity letter he wore on his jacket and the fact that he didn't know what calfs (little cows) were. It's funny.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dQEwJhHWXk

  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    Thinking about...assuming my other mileage allows it....trying to fit in a 13 and 14 mile long run into my next training rotation......
  • Net1968
    Net1968 Posts: 47 Member
    July:
    1st. 5
    2nd. 5
    3rd. 5 ( Local Hospice Colour Run)
    5th. 7
    6th. 4
    8th. 5


    Total 31km out of 112km

    Up coming races:
    3rd Colour Run Done!
    31st Helena Tipping Wrexham 10km
  • Net1968
    Net1968 Posts: 47 Member
    Oh and I still haven't worked out how to set up the tracker thing!
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Net1968 wrote: »
    Oh and I still haven't worked out how to set up the tracker thing!

    @Net1968 It's optional, but if you need help, just PM me.
  • djspacecaptain
    djspacecaptain Posts: 366 Member
    Day 8: rest

    Monthly total: 47.25/100 miles
  • greenolivetree
    greenolivetree Posts: 1,282 Member
    @5BeautifulDays Your post sounds so familiar! Last weekend I ended up disassembling a light fixture to wash all the parts and change the bulbs and got into a big reorganization project. Way to go stopping to use the treadmill :)

    My glutes are sore from my hills this morning. Wondering how I'll feel tomorrow.
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