Aahhhhhhhh! (That felt good) (Read 1353 times)

First off, the thread found http://www.runningahead.com/forums/topic/82b7a41b599249acb068d3db8c2c7213/0 is full of great information and was posted just in time to confirm what I was experiencing. I'm in W9 of the Hal Higdon Half Marathon training and I chose to follow the Intermediate one even though this will be my first half. The biggest reason was that the mileage in the novice plan was quite a bit lower than what I was already doing. I found that for the first few weeks or so, I LOVED the tempo runs and the intervals. I even enjoyed the pace runs, even though they wore me out. But over time, I found myself struggling on the longer runs even though I was running them slower. It just seemed that the endurance wasn't there and I was baffled. I came in from my long run (10 miles) this past week-end frustrated and sure that I'd bitten off more than I can chew in the half four weeks from now. Then I saw the above mentioned thread about dropping speedwork and just running easy miles instead. I listened to my body and to the wisdom of a lot of smart runners here and this week I've run easy. Really easy. 2 minutes a mile slower at times easy. What a relief. Today I ran just over 5.5 miles and I almost cried during the fourth mile because I couldn't remember the last time I'd still been enjoying a run four miles in. I actually finished the run and felt like I could do more. Heck, I WANTED to do more. Best of all, I know I can run that half. Maybe not as fast as I want or hope to, but finishing it will be no problem. Thanks, quotidianlight, for starting that other thread and asking the question that helped me enjoy running as much as I ever have! Hopefully this thread can pay it forward for others, too.

I don't think I was in danger of quitting or hating the runs. I could just tell that my body was starting to say 'no' to the training in regards to feeling like I was making progress. Dropping the speedwork and doing easy runs instead may have as much to do with my mental prep for the half as my physical prep. It now seems doable again.

Great stuff on that site, John. I've bee there before. You just can't stress enough the importance of easy and recovery runs. I think I just got carried away sometimes with keeping too close of an eye on pace, speed, etc. on what should have been easy so my body could recover. I've learned my lesson and this week has been so much better.

just from slowing down and enjoying my recover and easy runs.....instead of always trying to beat my last time or run faster or run further.......

Huge statement! That was one of the things I took away from the Run Bayou site you linked to: do not give in to the temptation to turn EVERY run into an opportunity to beat the time you ran before. That's what the RACES are for.

Thanks for the shout out. It is nice to know that thread helped others as it helped me. In addition, thank you John A for that link! One question though, when I try to run slower than 11:30 pace for an easy run I find it hurts... A LOT! does that mean that my form is jacked at slower speeds or that my body shouldn't run slower than that?

Possibly (but maybe not)....It takes a little getting used to also. i know that now, that I am running more miles (average between 30 and 40 MPW) I am finding it easier to run slower... I also run my slow days in the 11 to 11:30 category and can sometimes run a little slower.... If you have someone that can help you with your form that would be nice.... You dont want to run too slow...so I would say that if it hurts too much to just slow down as much as you can and still be comfortable for some number of miles..... experiment around a little ... Keep us posted too......

Someone else will have to answer this question........ I dont have a HRM and can guarantee that I'll never buy one cause i think it makes running to complicated. I do know that on those rare occassions when i run on a Tread Mill I do check my Heart rate and its always way higher then they say i should be maintaining (if that means anything)........ I dont like gadgets and simply run based on how I feel...........I like to say that I run like Luke Skywalker and OBie Wan -- I just go out there and 'USE THE FORCE'..........Ill be honest with you Yapper, I think you may be trying to make this running stuff to complicated.....Just run and feel good and enjoy it...... Least that's my $.02....

Thanks for the honesty. I don't think I'm making it too complicated - at least, I hope I'm not. I'm much more into how my body is feeling and responding during a run than I am the information from the HRM. That's really why i asked the question, because my guess is some would say my HR was too high today during the run, but man, did I feel good while I did it! That's what I'm focused on - enjoying the runs, feeling like I could do more when I'm finished, and letting the speed and junk take care of itself over time. Not trying to make it hard, just trying to understand. The point you made about your HR being higher when you check it on the treadmill even though you feel good rings true with me. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Hmmm - i dont have an answer on this......i really dont even have a idea. I do know that if you check your resting heart rate daily and find it up one day, your run will be harder as this is an indicator that you need some rest - beyond that I just don't know (and i dont do it either).... You are probably smart to try to analyze and understang.....

Thanks for the shout out. It is nice to know that thread helped others as it helped me. In addition, thank you John A for that link! One question though, when I try to run slower than 11:30 pace for an easy run I find it hurts... A LOT! does that mean that my form is jacked at slower speeds or that my body shouldn't run slower than that?

I've read from Jack Daniels that some people when they try to run slower, loose good form. He mentioned that what happens, is that in effort to run slower the stride tends to bounce higher causing greater shock on the legs and at the same time becomes less mechanically efficient. As a result, by trying to run slower your not making it any easier on yourself. My suggestion is while trying to run slower shorten your stride and try to keep your feet close to the ground, so it appears you are shuffling along. If you are still feeling a lot of pain when running slower, then don't run any slower, just do what feels comfortable. theyapper66--- To answer your question, I may get somewhat technical. The main purpose behind easy running is to produce a stimulus that develops your aerobic system. Mostly your muscles ability to produce energy, with enough oxygen available (aerobic metabolism). A second purpose is to help recovery from hard runs and races by flushing out acidity from the muscles and increasing blood flow to help them repair. Now whether you run easy runs at 140 or 160 HR both goals can be accomplished. However by running at 160 which still feels easy, you are still stressing your self more than you are at 140, but you are not gaining that much more in benefits. So, you might as well stay at the lower effort for your easy runs. Leave the fast, stuff for races, Intervals, Tempo runs and speed work which are there to provide a different kind of stimulus. Some also say that by running slower you also develop the ability to use more fat as an energy source, which is very beneficial for long races that are 90 minutes or more.