I did my first long run of this training cycle today. And it was much better than I thought it would be. The book, Advance Marathoning, says I should I be doing my long runs 30-45 seconds slower than marathon pace. At least, I think that is where I got that from. As I said here, I haven't really read the book. But I have, since my last post, skimmed it.
I started in on the second week of the 70 or less peak mile 12 week program. It said to do a 17 mile training run this week. So that is what I did and it was spot on at 8:29 pace per mile. And damn, it was pretty hard but I could have gone a few more miles if needed. I just have this habit on my long training runs of zoning out and it is hard to zone out when I have to focus on maintaining a pace. When running, I like to think about everything but running.
Being ambititous though, and mostly because the kids begged me, I went to the gym and did a 5K on the treadmill a few seconds below marathon pace (which is just shy of an 8 minute mile, btw). So a double today.
Now, I am beat and I doubt if I will even hit the projected 55 mpw for this week--having taken Sunday and Tuesday completely off. I am at 30 mpw now having done 10 miles on Monday (and another double with cross training and weights in the afternoon). I think I followed the subscribed workout that day but really, if I am being honest, this book is way more technical than I care to be: VO2 max, lactic threshold, general aerobic runs and all that.
And, I really hate it when they talk miles for the most part but then put these interval or speed workouts in meters. I don't do metric. It makes me have to think more than I want to (see a theme here?). Give me a poem to deconstruct but to have to pause and do meter vs mile math in my head? No thanks. Why can't they just say run a 1/2 mile at 5k pace? I feel like they asssume everyone has come to marathoning from a track. I totally lose interest when I see the meters or anything having to do with VO2 max or lactic threshold workouts.
I love to run but books like Advance Marathoning; I am thinking take the pleasure out of it. I guess maybe I like to be surprised at what I can do. You know, train all helter skelter and show up race day and kick ass or if not; not care because it wasn't like I really tried.
Oh well, still pushing on with it though. Maybe if I have sucess I will be more of a believer.
I will be interested to see if you think that all of the thinking and track training is really required. I've found a "Your Better Half" program from Runner's World that I was thinking of doing, but it's a lot of calculating.
ReplyDeleteI like the "it wasn't like I really tried" - very good way to put it. : )
i think Lola is just the cutest dog ever! More Blog pictures of Lola please/ all this running stuff is not interesting. She has gotten soooo big. You'd better take more pictures, she won't be a puppy forever you know.
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary...I love reading all your running stuff! I like the technical terms and theories in books like "Advanced Marathoning" as it makes running more than just a frivolous hobby or boring exercise, but a complicated scientific endeavour that is pure logic. That 70+ week schedule kicks major butt!
ReplyDeleteWell...for me...I enjoy running without all the technical stuff...but the more a person runs especially if you want to be competitive and want to improve ones running, the more technical it gets. I will try something I read about and try to incorporate it into my running but VO2max, lactic threshold and break downs of certain things don't appeal to me. I will read it and try to learn the lingo and understand what they are talking about...but that's about it...maybe I'm just not to that stage yet...I enjoy running for what it does for me...relieving stress of the work day, being outside, letting me be more physically active and lots of other things. I have yet to buy any books but I do read a lot on the Internet, the running forums and blogs .
ReplyDeleteBTW...I like the pictures too of your family...kids...Lola as well as your running...that's what a person's blog should be about...but I do tend to look for your running reports and the rest is gravy...gravy in a good way...everything is better with gravy! :o)
Charlie
Dearest Lala, err, I mean ANONYMOUS, you know you can come over and see little Lola anytime you want. In fact, I will be more than happy to bring her and Beau over for a visit at your house so I can do a 10 mile run this morning. And then I promise to come home and blog and post pictures galore. See how accomodating I can be?
ReplyDeleteCharlie-- we read from the same page. Maybe if I was a world class runner I might view it differently and would take the techincal more seriously but my life is more than just running-- And I think my blog reflects that.
Steph--I think whether I follow the technical aspects or not won't make a huge difference. I mean, I think I push myself pretty hard and while my training methods aren't exact to the AM plan they still have the major components of mid length, long run and speed workouts. Really, I only think time and consistent training will make me a faster runner. I do wonder where the ceiling is though. That is something to chase --the speed and distance ceiling.
Bruce, I know you love the technical aspects of running (especially the gagets) and I can appreciate that but I guess I am low brow runner by comparison. What I like is that you go out and read all the information and then I can just ask you without having to read it myself. See, we each get something here: you get to be the expert and I don't have to bore myself with paragraphs about VO2 max and Lactic threshold jargon.
70 miles is going to kick my ass. The plan is tough. I'm not even following it and it is tough.