Tuesday, February 14, 2006

THE "KEY"

I’m not sure if Dallen’s last comment about not knowing “Frank” was serious or not. No, he did not invent the heart rate monitor.

I realize it has been 34 years since Frank Shorter won the gold medal for the marathon (and 30 years since he won silver), but I assumed people still recognized him. He is largely responsible for the running boom of the 70s which I’m sure led to things like waffle shoes, shoes with air, shox, technical clothing, gels, energy drinks, GPS units and yes, heart rate monitors. So in a way, he did invent the HRM.

I never really mentioned yesterday’s training. I ran 8 miles in the morning and another 5 in the evening – nothing exciting. I ran another 8 miles this morning. Normally we have a group workout on Tuesday nights, but not this week. Maybe it’s because of Valentine’s Day, maybe not. Anyway, I’m going to make this my easy day and only run once. I spent this morning’s run thinking about 3 things; 1) pace, 2) weighing mileage versus rest and 3) the “key.”

I think I need to make a conscience effort to pickup the pace a little more frequently, now that I’m comfortable with my mileage. I don’t have a problem doing it when I run with other people, but when I run by myself I tend to just trudge along. Daws’s book breaks down Lydiard’s schedule based on percentages per day. For example, the long run should be 20-25% of your weekly mileage. I think I’m going to spell out the next week using his percentages and 85 miles and then just add in 2-3 easy 5 mile doubles.

I’ve mentioned my thoughts on singles versus doubles lately and getting my mileage in on 9-10 runs instead of 11-12. I’m sort of in a catch-22. I want to run longer in the mornings and fewer doubles, but with this added mileage I need to get my rest. As a result, I’m finding it very difficult to get up at 4:30. So I sleep till 5, don’t get in all the miles I want and then I have to run at night. That means I get to bed later than I want and the cycle continues. It hasn’t helped that I get sucked into the Olympics and end up staying up till 9 or 9:30.

Yes, I figured out the “key” to running. You have to surround yourself with successful like-minded people. Yes, shocking. I know. But seriously, whether its training partners, teammates, friends, fellow bloggers, etc. you have to pick people to “hang out” with that are positive, motivated, successful, determined, energetic, resourceful, etc. With that said, I’d like to thank all bloggers out there that inspire and motivate me, day-in and day-out.

Quote of the day:
“Running is a lot like life. Only 10 percent of it is exciting. 90 percent of it is slog and drudge.” Dave Bedford, English distance runner who occasionally put in 200 miles a week in training.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...


I think I need to make a conscience effort to pickup the pace a little more frequently, now that I’m comfortable with my mileage.

What are the advantages of performing aerobic training runs at a faster pace ?

To put it another way, what are the benefits of aerobic running, and how does doing slightly less aerobic running enhance those benefits ?

Andrew said...

I know the struggle to get out of bed. I feel so much better getting sufficient sleep yet the morning's the only time that I can have more than 60 minutes in a row to myself. Lately, sleep's been winning and I feel good but the log doesn't like it.

Chad said...

Miler, from what I understand, Lydiard would prefer as much fast aerobic running as possible.

From "Run to the Top"

That means a big initial mileage. You concentrate initially for several months on purely aerobic running. Fast aerobic running if possible, keeping the effort just below that point where it can overbalance into anaerobic running. You must do as much of this aerobic running as you can. The minimum is 3 months. 4 months is better, 5 is better still but anything less than 3 months is not enough.

Yeah Andrew, sleep is good. I think winter is beginning to drag too. Bring on spring.

Thanks Susan, glad you like them.

Chad said...

Miler, here's another response, which I also think gets a Yvonne's question from last week. From Daws's "Running Your Best"

As you become fitter and have reached a high but endurable weekly mileage, you shouldn't try to run more miles, but more at or near the fastest pace you can without becoming anaerobic.

Dallen said...

I know who Frank Shorter is, but I didn't recognize him in the photo. I also thought the picture was of the guy who invented the heart rate monitor, and I surely don't know who that is.

Chad said...

Dallen, he is a little easier to recognize with his 'stache and USA jersey.