I am really missing having a Coach right about now. I am so overwhelmed by making a schedule and I've been putting it off for months now. One I didn't know if I'd even be able to train for a fall marathon and two, I'd rather poke my eyes out then make a schedule. But now that I've run a few times without pain, and I finished off July with a whopping 5 miles, it's time to make a plan for the next 15 weeks leading up to Philly marathon. I did a little research but the bulk of my plan is coming from what I did last year with a few minor tweaks. Hey, if it's not broken, don't fix it!!
I will say, in looking at my schedule from last year, I'm surprised at the effort I put in. I was running 6 days a week and putting in some good miles. At the time it didn't feel too intense but looking at it now I'm not sure how I did that!! I think I wanted Boston so badly that I would have done anything!! Since I'm not going for my first BQ attempt this time around and I just had a minor set back, I'm trying to figure out what's best for me this time around. Going into this training cycle, my original thought was to keep my running to 5 days a week so I could continue with the cross training and lifting. But now I'm not so sure what to do. One thing I struggle with is that if I only run 5 days a week I'll need to up the mileage on a few runs a week to get to my weekly mileage goal. Now I love a long run, don't get me wrong. But juggling a longer run with an already longer than normal work day due to my work arrangement really stresses me out. I don't really like to do more than 8 miles during the week. Anything beyond that messes up my routine of work, studying, spending time with Andy and most importantly...sleeping!! So I'm wondering if I should try the 5 days a week or stick with what worked last time. I could always do 6 days a week for this cycle then cut back again when Philly is over. I'm just not sure that's the smartest option though with the recent Achilles set back.
What do you do? 5 or 6 days a week? And since I suck at this, is there a site where you can input your maximum mileage and how many days a week you want to run?
So I'm making progress and have at least started an Excel spreadsheet. The week of Aug 30th is exactly 12 weeks till race day so I need to have something set in stone by then. Hold me to that!
20 comments:
You'll figure it out I'm sure. I can't help you, but I can say that if you're willing to just run the Philly marathon for fun, then even if you do 5 days, you'll probably be fine. My "Running Room" program is only 5 days a week. I hope the achilles behaves!
I run 5 days a week with one xtrain day and sometimes I attempt to get in another day of core/arms on my rest day before my long run. I have reached 50 mile weeks this way no problem. 5 days should be more than enough girl! Train smart and don't let another set back happen!
I'm sure you'd be fine with 5 days a week, if you have to cut back your miles a bit so be it! You don't want to be pushing toward on that Achilles and giving it at least 2 rest days a week sounds smart!
I'm a 'run to finish' marathoner, LOL. I think I only ran 3 days a week for my first and 4 days for my second (but it was the Goofy Challenge so I needed the back-to-back runs).
3rd time around (now!) I'm doing 4-5, and I definitely see the benefit to adding more mileage during the week. I'm usually still active on non-run days, but make sure to take one rest day a week!
I run 6 days a week with a 5 day week sometimes if I run a long race on the Saturday. I can’t get the mileage I need with a 5 day week. I run Tuesday to Sunday and rest Monday. I follow the “hard day, easy day” rule and it works for me. Good luck, wonderful to hear you are running without pain!
I am so not the person to answer this- I only run 2-3 days a week even when I am in perfect running shape!
You will figure out what is right for you!
I'm going to vote for 5 & maintaining the cross-training.
I'm a 5 day a week runner usually.
The Runner's World Smart Coach will create a plan for you based on miles / days / weeks, but I've found it to be a little too agressive (injury producing) for me. I may be a good reference to use in developing your schedule though.
Good luck!
Making my own schedule is the LAST thing I want to do. Thankfully, hubs LOVES it so I have been lucky to have him make them for me. Good luck working out the details for yours. Right now I'm comfortable with 5 days per week, one long run and one medium-long. On the other three days, I like to keep it below 8 miles or it's definitely too much to keep up with.
right now i am running 4 days a week. i only ran about 20 miles per week from june 20-july 20 so i'm taking my time building my mileage back up. Last week i ran 4 times totaling 27 miles and this week i'll run 4 times totaling 31 miles and keep increasing slowly and then hover around 45 miles, Eventho i'm doing a 50 miler, i have no plans of going over 55 miles in 1 week. Once i hit 40 miles a week i'll start running 5 days a week. sometimes i run twice in 1 day, i'll do speed work in the am and then run with ryan at night. on top of this i still bike, swim, teach spin and lift so i never run more than 5 days a week.
if i were you, i'd stick with 5 days a week. get back into the swing of things slowly. I think whether you run 40 miles a week or 60 miles a week you're gonna have a great run at philly but whats even more important is in April! :-) Isn't it nice just to run a marathon with no BQ pressure!! :-)
we all just want to see you running again without pain or injury. we are all rooting for you no matter what you decide.
I wish I had a good answer, but I haven't run with a real schedule in a couple years. Generally I run 4 to 5 times a week with a lot of biking and other cross-training thrown in. When I run more than that, I don't have time to get in the bike training, which I need for adventure racing. I'll be interested to see what you come up with - I'm contemplating a fall race, and would like to do it with a real schedule if I sign up.
I feel your pain :) But, unlike you, I LOVE to make my training plan, LOL!
I run six days a week because my brain needs it - not necessarily my body if you know what I mean.
I usually top out at 50 miles and hover always between 40-50. I don't mind doing double digits during the week though. I think you could do it on 5 days a week though, and MAYBE really try to get a longer run in during the week. I usually do my longer run on Thursdays.
On the training schedule front, Smart Coach does work, you can customize what miles, how intenses, etc you want to get but I also find it can be a little agressive. I use Pfitz, or a variation of it. I have also looked at the Boston plans - you might want to check those out. Good luck - let me know if you need any help :)
I usually run 6 days a week, but one of them is generally very light. I'm not good at schedule and plans though. The main thing I keep an eye on is my Saturday long run. But you know what you're doing, you'll be fine. :)
I have always run 5 days a week during marathon training (3-4 for my first one). This time I am running 5 with a few 6 day weeks sprinkled in there to see how I feel.
Runnersworld has a decent program for creating a training plan. Make sure it doesn't have you increasing your overall weekly mileage by more than 10%. That is a recipe for injury. I like to keep my mileage increase to closer to 5%. It keeps me healthier.
Good luck!
dude i knew how hard you were working last year!! I wonder if 5 makes sense for you right now coming off injury
Yeah, I'd say go with five days and keep up the cross-training. Reduce risk for another injury!
i never started doing 6 days a week until last summer and i have been going back and forth with this same question now that i have the bike. i think you will be TOTALLY fine on 5 days a week, especially if you are crosstraining. its hard not to get wrapped up in the total miles too, but just make sure you think of the time spent doing other things as well. i do love my one medium-long (11-12) day during the week though and think they really help me during training.
From reading about your running the past few years, there is no way you won't be running 6 days a week!
Good luck & train smart!
I agree with RW SmartCoach, quick and easy with instant gratification. Keep your "currently weekly miles" at less than 50 and it gives you a manageable 5 day per week training plan.
Not sure what your Philly goal is this year, but I think 5 days would work well for you particularly if you keep up the cross-training.
I wish I could help with this but I only run 3-4 days a wk to train for halfs. I'm not setting any records with my running. :)
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