Doubles and marathon training (Read 980 times)

The math works out and you still will hit "x" number of miles per week. But I always thought that the purpose of the longer run was to increase the time that you spend on your feet continuously in motion. Another RA'er used this example: "I can hold my breath for four minutes...but not all at once" The eight milers are intended to be run "all at once" to build physical and mental stamina.

Look if you can only carve out enough time to do 5, then do 5 and 3 later, or 5 and 4. I've always thought that if you are doing doubles to make up planned mileage then do a little extra. If that is your best choice, then that is your choice. But realize those midweek runs are going to get longer, so see what you can do to get at least a few of them straight through. When it gets to 10, you would be better doing 7 and 3 than 5 and 5. You'll get more out of the 8 continuous, especially the way higdons program is designed. But you gotta do what you gotta do. If you were talking splitting the long run I would say noway, but this is one midrun of 2 I've done both. I have a team run tuesday nights on the day that is supposed to be my other midlong. On weeks I do the team run, I run the extra miles in the morning so that I make the total. On weeks I dont I do the full mileage in the morning. I think I get benefits from both. The 10 miles in the morning gives me one kind of endurance, but I feel fresher for my run the next day. The split run is easier at the time, but I am wiped out the next morning when I am doing my 3rd run in 24 hours and probably at an average faster pace. Definitely gives me the run on tired legs training. Since I am also training for a 3 leg relay, I try to do some of both. Remember none of these plans are the holy grail. You have to do what works with your life. Just make sure you arent looking for excuses. Which means if getting up extra early one day a week is what you need to do, consider it.

I don't run a lot of miles that would justify "doubles". However I do find that if I do some type of workout during the day I will run better that night when it is time. It worked then I was playing basketball, swimming, even weight lifting. Maybe some day I will be running enough I can try it out with just running. The earlier workout seems to warm you up for the one latter, ensuring your are nice and loose for that one.

If you can get "5 very easily" at home, does that mean you could get 7 or 8 if you squeezed a little? How about just 1 day a week instead of 2? If you could get 1 moderately long single during the week to go with your long weekend run you should be fine. I generally have most of my running time available on Wednesdays and weekends so I go with a long or medium-long day on Wednesday and another liong one on weekends. All other days are slow or easy. I do doubles more often on my easy day, e.g. 4 at lunch, 4-7 more after work. It works pretty well.

If you are supposed to run easy, then I wouldn't "squeeze a little" - I'd still run easy and either HTFU and get up early or else just do the double (possibly with an extra mile or 2 on one of the runs.) Training for a marathon isn't rocket science, and running more frequently isn't necessarily a bad thing. As long as you get your long run in at one go, then I think that splitting up your mid-week runs isn't going to make a huge difference. It may not be exactly the plan that you are following, but it should still get you to the starting line healthy as long as you keep the easy days easy. If you try to run faster on an easy day just to get the miles in, you are more likely to get hurt and won't be doing yourself any favors.

Since I am also training for a 3 leg relay, I try to do some of both.

You mean like this?

You mean like this?

pretty tame stuff for you swamp dwellers - I was expecting some sort of Ron Jeremy hijack - thanks fo helping us keep our G rating..