Training question

Newbie

Before I describe the workout I've just switched to let me give some background info so you don't assume I'm totally clueless.

Not counting basic training in the air force (13 years ago) I hadn't been much for distance running until the last year.

For the last 4 months I've been running about 6 days a week getting about 25 MPW. Having harder and easier days. Longer and short/slower and faster runs. Been reading some running forums. I do have a pretty good understanding of what conventional accepted training is, more or less.

I had experimented once before with an unusual running program and I've gone back to it recently.

This program is simply and only run once every 3 or 4 days for a much longer distance. I'm still getting over 20 miles a week just starting and I hope to improve this to something respectable down the road.

My first run back to this I went for 1 hour 45 minutes, 3 days later I did 10 miles in 1 hour and 57 minutes, 3 days later I did 11.3 miles in 2 hours and 7 minutes. Not blazing runs but I'm 225lb (not fat at all) and I feel like I'm improving very quickly. I certainly feel better on this program then when running 6 days a week.

Mentally there is no comparison between the two types of workouts. I feel so, so, so much better. The run is so much more enjoyable. Physically it seems to be superior at least so far. (Had the same experience when I tried it before 6 months ago.)

So has anybody else ever reported good success with such a training routine?

Member

I have never tried it, but if it is working for you, then fantastic! I'd think you may want to toss in a week of shorter miles every once and awhile just to give your legs a rest. Let us know how everything progresses!

Frightened Inmate #2

Are you training for anything specific?

Newbie

Not really at this point. Too slow to matter.

Just want to improve in general. Be able to run 6 minute miles without breathing hard. Very Happy

That sort of thing.

Did 12.8 miles in 2:24 last run.

I assume it would be said that I'm training to run slooooow. But I'm not doing these runs at the same pace all the way. Want to have some faster paced parts mixed within, eventually.

Frightened Inmate #2

I think that as long as you're not trying to train for a 5K that way AND you're enjoying yourself AND your body can handle the long miles, then you should go for it.

Member

I'm in a very similar situation. I tried running 5 miles a day, 5 days a week for a long time, and that just drained me and I had trouble being consistant. I started changing it up more, often running 8.5 miles, take a day off, then run 4 miles. I like it a lot. I don't run with a watch, but my pace seems to be fast enough to listen to a 42-min CD twice in just under 9 miles, so I'm thinking a hair under a 10-min mile pace.

I'm having a lot of trouble improving my speed. My left foot was really bugging me, so I took a few days off. Just today I ran 3 miles. It was my first time running with a watch in years, and my mile splits were 9:02 / 10:03 / 8:50. That's a little depressing.

I'm 28 and I weigh 195 lbs, and I'm not overweight. I'm wondering how much of a factor this is. I ran the 400M in 52 sec in high school, and I can still break 60 sec. The problem is that I seem to have two speeds: Either I can run a 10-min mile and keep it up almost indefinitely, or I can sprint 400M and collapse.

My goal is to get down to a 3-hour marathon. I've never run a marathon, and the Ohio River Road Runners Marathon in Xenia (6 months, April 2004) will be my first. I'll be happy just to finish in 4 hours, and I may even go for the half-marathon. Then I'll run one of the October 2004 marathons (Steamtown sounds fun, but Columbus and Indy are very close to me).

To tell the truth, I don't really care about running in Boston, but I do want to qualify for it. I don't think getting down to a 7-min mile pace is unrealistic in 18 months. I haven't even gotten serious about running until recently. I'm going to be in a lot of little fun 5K's in the next few months. The next one's on Saturday.

If anybody has any training suggestions for just trying to improve my speed on the long runs, I'd appreciate it.

Gone Fishin

As much as our politically correct running world hates to bring it up, weight really is just about factor number one in being able to run faster. Unfortunately I can speak firsthand about spending some time up at the 225 mark and then returning to 165 made for night and day in the world of running. Reading what BBM is saying, at 195 my pace was in the area you're talking of and when I'm at 165, 7:00s is what I can run.
Don't get me wrong, I'll be first in line to giving kudos for getting out there and pounding the pavement, but being lighter is how daily running and higher mileage is possible.

Member

Well, I just don't want to have skinny arms. I'm sure I could get down to 180 and still lift weights plenty.

Member

I ran with a lady that only ran 3 times a week with pretty good success: long run, speed work, and mid distance run. She actually ran a 3:15 marathon. From my own experience though, long and slow= long and slow marathon. I do think for a beginner that it doesn't matter so much---just get the miles in, period.

BBM---think reps....don't give up the weight lifting do more lighter. Also, you have good speed.....after you have a 3-4 months of adding mileage at a slow pace, you really would benefit by following a program. Specifically, Lactate threshold runs, tempo runs......read up about these. I'm guessing that this is where you'll need some work as you sound like me.(I ran 400 in hs and have no problem with long distance runs---it's that distance inbetween). I agree with jrjo with the weight issue, but I don't think you should worry about it at this point.

sue

Pyromaniac

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