Tuesday, October 2, 2012

This is How I Train and why "Less is More" Works For Me

 
Above you can see my highly detailed intricate training plan for this Sunday's Tyler Rose 1/2 Marathon.  (If you want me to make you a plan and send it to you, I would be happy too...I will even doodle a flower on it for you)

Since my training in the fall left me injured, and I was feeling so sluggish and tired running 5 days a week plus doing Dane's, I decided to try the less is more half marathon plan.  You run three days a week...one day is a tempo type workout (Thurs column above) and one day is a track type workout (Tues column above) and one day is a long run (sat column above)

The number I have next to what I should be doing per the plan, is what I actually did in my workouts.  (Clear is mud right?!  The more I look at this I realize I might be the only one who understands it!) I think the only time/day I failed on in this plan was the weekend long runs.  As you can see I should have done 6 this last weekend, but I did 12.  I am pretty proud of myself though for getting through the 10 weeks pretty consistently.

So, do I feel like this less is more plan worked for me?  For the most part, yes I do.  I  feel like running 3 days a week is probably much better for my body.  Having more recovery time between runs has definitely made me a faster runner, running on fresh legs more often.  I have still felt some tightness in my hips, and have been dealing on and off with plantar fasciitis, but for the most part it hasn't been anything I haven't been able to run through.

 I think this plan would have been a lot harder to follow if my run group in Georgetown didn't already have most of these type of workouts going two days a week.  (Tuesday's we do Tempo type runs and Thursday are our days for track workouts.)  Finding the imagination, place, and drive to do these workouts by myself without them would have been really hard.

Along with this running I have done Dane's workouts Monday's, Wed's, and Thurs....and I think I only missed two of those workouts in the last 10 weeks.  And this is all part of the plan.  You incorporate a lot of cross training on the days you aren't running.  Plus one rest day, which of course I took every week!

Here is just a sampling of what my mileage looked like for the last 6 weeks

As you can see it's been pretty consistent.

My goal for this weekend's 1/2 marathon is under 1:45.  I just found out they are going to have some pace groups for the 1/2 marathon which I am pretty excited about.  The options are 1:40 and 1:50.  I think I am going to go with the 1:40 team and see how long I can keep up with them.  7:30 is a HELL of a pace to keep up for 13.2 miles, but I might be able to pull it off for awhile and drop back if I need to.

I will admit I am getting some anxiety about this weekend's race.....but I guess that's all part of racing, and on race day I hope the stars align and I can do what I need to do in the time I want to do it in.

Wish me luck!!

6 comments:

  1. You're right - I think you are the only one who understands that! But I am so glad this is working for you!!! I find I can run longer and better running only 3-4 days a week, my body absolutely refuses any more than that!
    Good luck Sunday, I'm a bit jealous - I really liked Tyler last year!

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  2. Have a great half marathon this weekend! I've heard lots of good things of this type of program working for lots of people, certainly makes sense and something I'm considering trying once I get through the crazy distance fall!

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  3. I think your plan is great and I personally LOVE the doodles. :)

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  4. 1:40 or bust!! :) You can do it!!

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  5. Good luck on your half marathon Rain! I have an excel spreadsheet that I use and tell Vince what to do, lol based off a Runner's World training plan.

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  6. I rarely run more than 4 days a week, I love the recovery days and the ability to mix in some cross training without over doing it. Good luck this weekend, you'll be awesome!

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