Now that’s my short-term answer. Long-term, I want to build more mileage this winter, like 85-100 mpw. I just think that’s the only way I’m going to have any kind of breakthrough. It’s either that or try an approach that has me touching on all the different systems throughout the year. That sounds great, but with our winters, I just don’t know if I could pull that off.
I’m also trying to remind myself that I’m fitter than my 15K time. And if nothing else, last year’s 1:29:43 half marathon in August, followed by a 2:58:57 at Chicago should be enough to convince me that some races are meaningless.
Yesterday I ran an easy 6 miles. This morning I ran a nice 10 mile trail run in Hyland Park. I’m not sure if it was the storms that passed through last night or what, but Hyland smelled like Lemon Pledge in some places.Quote of the day;
“Life is a desperate struggle to succeed in being in fact that which we are in design.” – Jose Ortegay Gasset
5 comments:
Ah, Buckshot. Hope to see you there.
Zeke,
I found that I could always run my best mileage over the winter. I don't know why, but I and a lot of people can. As far as training the different systems, I always found the winter was no problem.
You can always run hills and you can always run 6 x 4:00 minutes or 10 x 1:30. The time isn't an issue and there is generally more resistance in those efforts. Heck, sometimes it's difficult to hold 9:00 pace, but you damn sure no the effort was there. As long as you can run effort, the time is not important.
Winter 78'-79'. I train about 60 miles a week and concentrate on hilly runs. The winter was brutal in PA and deep snow was common. I was running a long run and was up in the main competitors school district running steep 3/4 mile hills. I ran into one of the competitors out for a run and his school was just starting track runs on the track. He decided to run some hills with me and I was burrying him. Opening meet we faced this powerhouse and I was on the 2 - Mile relay and ran well, tied for first in the mile and won the 2 mile in bad conditions in 10:17 no problem. I was strong as hell compared to these speed merchants.
Train by effort in the winter an let the faster stuff (3-5 weeks) get you in peak condition when you need it. The summer is an enigma, rolled up in a question mark. Your always looking at the watch and this can be tricky. The winter is actually better in my eyes.
Boston 2002, I ran a lot of miles early and came down with foot problems in late January. When I could run, I ran hard. You commented on Hillrunner that all my runs were at 6:40 pace or better. I was only capable of 5 mile runs before the pain was to great. I ran hard because I figured the bad weather and 6:40 pace or better was good for me instead of 5 miles at 8:00 and hurting. I sandwiched in a couple 20 miles after 4-5 days off to heal and when Boston came I ran my existing PR.
I don't recommend it, but when you can run a big portion of the year at 70-80 plus or more and then you get serious pains, you can get away with short fast hard weeks and compete well. We aren't all made to train big mileage all the time.
Double
PR, you gotta love Buckshot. It's a great course in a great town with great competition.
Double, another good post. Leave it to you to train in your competitor's backyard.
Your comments make me think about getting a pair of snowshoes for the winter to cut down on the pounding and just focus on duration. But I have to get through the summer and fall first.
"And if nothing else, last year’s 1:29:43 half marathon in August, followed by a 2:58:57 at Chicago should be enough to convince me that some races are meaningless." If this is true, I am feeling pretty damn good about my 1:29:30 half the other day. I was pissed about my result just like you are. You're right - racing in our birth month sucks. Must be an astrological thing. Only half a month left 'til things start looking up...
Chad-
I know it is hard when the races don't quite go as you would like, but have trust/confidence in all the work you have done since Jan. I took a look at your last "tempo" workout. Give it a try again, maybe Friday, and keep the pace at 6:25 for all three miles maybe four. On Sunday's long run you should not have dead legs. I would do as much training in this zone during the "tempo" workouts. I do think you will find things feeling a ton better in three weeks. Are you doing sriders 6-10 X 100 meters after a few of your general aerobic runs? These can do a lot for your overall stride/economy and make the tempo runs feel a little better too. Just a few thoughts...I too am not a very good trainer in the summer months. We should all pick an early winter marathon and see how that goes?
Best Wishes.
Gregg
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