question about mileage in between training cycles
jennalink807
Posts: 226 Member
I'm about to complete a training cycle for my half marathon the first week of May, then I have a couple of months before my training cycle begins for my second full this fall. My question is this: I know during the mileage building phase of a training cycle, it's important to have a "step down" week every couple of weeks to help the body recover. If I'm running consistently at ~35 mpw, over a 2 month period of time to maintain fitness before my next training cycle begins, is it necessary/beneficial to incorporate that easy week, or should I maintain a consistent mileage each week if I'm not in a building phase? My plan is to run 5 days a week with one long run of 10-12 miles and one tempo run each week.
0
Replies
-
I think that depends entirely on your fitness level and your running history. If that is a lot of running for you, I'd say take a step-down week. If not, then have at it! For me, between training cycles, I just sort of do whatever I feel like doing, within limits. I keep my running up to 5 days a week, but if I don't feel like running long on the weekend, I don't. I do more cross-training, more fun and interesting strength training, etc. I run fast when I feel like running fast, run slow when I feel like running slow, don't run at at all if my body seems unhappy with it. Sometimes, I end up in the best shape in these "between" periods!
Good luck as you come close to your half!0 -
I would take this opportunity to continue to build mileage. Do a couple 35 miles week, cut back to 28, then go up to 38-40 for a couple weeks, then cut back again. Repeat that process a few times before your actual schedule starts and you'll be ahead of the game. Just make sure to keep it to easy running with 20 to 30 minutes of tempo once a week and 6 to 10 strides of 100m once a week.0
-
I agree with Carson. How long have you been running? How have you felt during training? Do you feel exhausted & tired? If so maybe tone it down! But if you feel pretty good on most days, and 35 miles a week feels "good" to you, there is nothing wrong with continuing with 35+ miles a week! I would take it easy the first week or 2 after your 1/2, but you could continue to run 35+ if you are letting your body go easy on easy day & rest! I kept my mileage in the 35 range for about a year before bumping up to 45-50.. When I started consistently running more, I was seeing huge improvements! I usually run 60 a week now. I would have never thought I'd be able to run that much or even want to, but it happens
0 -
I will just wing it between training schedules, maybe cut back to 5 days a week.0
-
I've been running consistently for 3 years now, did a half and a full last year, had to take a month off after the full (I had the flu and ran it anyway, and it took me forever for my body to recover... oops) so started fresh when I started training for the half this spring. I didn't follow any training plan for the first year, just kind of made myself go out and run 3-4 times a week. Joined a running group last fall and that was the first time I ran with a plan/ was actually training for anything, but it could definitely have gone better. I was around 45 mpw then, but lost a lot of that fitness when I got super sick.
This year I'm trying to make sure I do everything right so that I have a successful marathon in the fall. I train at a 10:30 pace for long runs, and do my tempo work around 9:15. Most of my easy runs are between 10-10:30 so not super fast, but steadily improving. My time goal for the half is 2:10, which I'm pretty confident I can hit. I'd like to get my marathon under 5 hours this time.
I've felt great all through the training season this time around. I guess I didn't consider that I could continue building mileage between now and fall training.... that probably wouldn't be a bad idea
Doesn't hurt to get ahead of the game!
ETA: Thanks for all the advice and responses everyone!0
