|
| So how far is too far? (Read 649 times) |
| view log Blaine Moore |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 5:07 PM |
Cut back weeks are definitely necessary when you are jumping 10-20% in your weekly mileage and/or long run distance from week to week.
It probably isn't quite as big of a deal for Teresa given the half mile per week increase - she is giving herself plenty of time to adapt to the new distances.
My general rule of thumb when agressively increasing mileage is to go back a week or two on my cutback weeks. So if I am moving up 12, 15, 18 for my long runs then I might go back to 12-15 miles for my cutback week and then the week after run 18-20. |
Run to Win
I just started using Twitter - anybody else on there? http://twitter.com/BlaineMoore
Saturday, 9/6, I'll be interviewing a man who has only lost 1 minute off his 5K time in 30 years:
http://www.runtowin.com/ask/Tom-Ryan.html - Sign up for the call in details and to have your own questions answered! |
|
|
Scout7 view logCPT Curmudgeon |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 5:17 PM |
Blaine brings up a very good point:
There are a lot of "rules" with running. "Cutback weeks", "10% increase", blah blah blah. Here's the thing about these rules. They are not rules. There are people who can jump 20%. There are people who don't need cutback weeks.
All these "rules" do is cover up one the key points to running: Listening To Your Body.
By stating that you should only increase by 10%, you're putting an artificial limit on your growth. You're saying that's all your body can handle. How do you know this, unless you've tried? What the rule is REALLY saying here is that you should listen to your body, and try not to increase mileage more than what it can handle. You learn this by adding mileage and monitoring the effects. Same goes for cutback weeks, or any other number of issues.
Don't get wrapped up in various numbers. Learn what works for YOU. |
Amat victoria curam.
Sine labore nihil.
Dulcius ex asperis. |
|
|
| view log i can has marathawn? |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 5:26 PM
modified: 5/2/2008 at 5:26 PM |
| Quote from Scout7 on 5/2/2008 at 5:17 PM: Don't get wrapped up in various numbers. Learn what works for YOU.
Great replies from RTW and Scout, your mileage WILL vary. I still personally think adequate rest days and easy weeks are among the most neglected parts of many of the training plans I see being used by recreational runners.
As Mr Miyagi said, "balance, must seek balance."
|
Ed
Bib #10 at the Tuesday night Good Times 5K series in Lowell, MA (so sad it's over, mark your calendar for opening night on 4/2/09)
2008 goal: HTFU and BQ at BayState Marathon
Beer is proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 5:37 PM |
WOW! Thanks for all the info so far guys! This is the first I've really tried to 'structure' my weeks, so all this info is a great help.
Thanks again,
mike |
~Mike
2008 Goals
-Slim down from 185 to 165. ***162***
-Run a Half Marathon ***Scheduled for November***
-Get an 'Outstanding' score on my November's Navy Physical Readiness Test: 98 Sit-ups, 80 Push-ups, 9:20 Mile & a half. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 6:52 PM |
| I appreciate the input, too! Scout, thanks for your comments. I tend to be so "numbers" oriented in my job that I overdo the rules part. I DO know that I'm not naturally athletic, so increasing very slowly is the way that works for me. Geez, it took me over 6 months just to run 30 minutes straight! |
| Maine Coast HM, September 21 |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/2/2008 at 11:53 PM |
I like "rules" in running, but I don't call them "rules" I call them suggestions and they are very important for a new runner who doesn't have the experience to know their limitations. The reason you had such a hard time with your 10 mile run is because it was WAY too big a jump for your level of conditioning and you weren't prepared for it. Unless you are in marathon training, your long runs should be limited to around 30% of your total weekly mileage. Since you've been averaging around 14 miles a week for the last two months, that means your long run should have been around five or six miles, not ten. That ten mile run was a whopping 75% of your weekly mileage. No wonder it hurt.
Looking at your log you are doing a great job of running consistently, keep it up and you'll become a life long runner.
Tom |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/3/2008 at 1:59 AM |
Mike, Congrats on your long run. I don't think you are over done and you are doing fine. If you have to stop because something starts to hurt, then may be you have pushing it too hard. If you are sore, rest a day; if still sore rest another. Being 29 means youth is your advantage that means you are excused from rules.  You are doing great and keep it up! |
|
|
higa view log |
posted: 5/4/2008 at 3:58 AM |
| Quote from mikedickbek on 5/2/2008 at 7:12 AM: I used to want to run a marathon. Work up to an iron man. I'm starting to aknowledge that those are just dreams, and the likelyhood of me actually doing it are pretty slim.
Why are these just dreams? Sure you might decide to focus on other things in your life but you only have to spend a bit of time on surfing RA to see that many loggers here know no limits when it comes to deciding on an event and going for it. Whatever your age, shape, gender or past sporting prowess, dreams are being converted to reality every day. You only have to stand at the finish line of a marathon or multi event to see that.
Never say never..................
|
|
|
|
|
