8.01.2007
Racing and Marathon Training
I'd like to run the 5 Mile Torrington Road Race on Sunday, August 12th, but I don't know whether that's such a good idea given my marathon training in progress. The race falls on the last day of my 7th week of training. I'm scheduled to run 11 to 12 miles on Saturday and 3 to 4 on Sunday--the day of the race. I'm considering doing the 3 to 4 on Saturday, instead, and the race (I'd like to break 39 minutes) in addition to 6 or 7 easy miles on Sunday. Any thoughts? Thanks! Ryan
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3 comments:
I'm not sure what the best approach is. What you suggest sounds reasonable. Or what about not doing your tempo run tomorrow and instead doing your long run. Then do the race as your tempo run?
I have a similar dilemma. I'd like to do the 50 mile ride at the Tour de Litchfield Hills this Sunday but I'm supposed to run 18 miles that day. If I do the run on Saturday I don't think I'll be able to do the ride on Sunday, and I'm thinking doing an 18 mile run the day after a 50 mile ride might be a bad idea. I'd also like to do that Torrington Road Race but have a 20 mile run scheduled on that day. However, the week after that my mileage drops so I'm thinking I might bump everything up a day and omit a rest day or two. Bad idea?
Look, guys, as long as you get three quality workouts in during the week, you really don't have to stress about your training. It is important to get your long run in, but it doesn't have to be on Saturday or Sunday. Of course, you might have more time on those days, but get up early Tuesday morning and do your long run. Or do it when you get out of work Wednesday afternoon.
The three "key workouts" you need are 1. speed 2. tempo 3. long run. Easy run days can be skipped altogether or replaced with cross training (swim, 50 mile bike ride, walk, pool running, eliptical trainer, etc.).
Ryan, a five mile race is going to stress your body differently than an 11 or 12 miler at a longer pace. If you feel like you need to get the miles in, I see no problem with doing an extra 6 miles after the race for your "long run," but you'll have to decide if you are the type of person who is going to want to run another 6 miles after you just raced (I'm not that person). I like Dan's suggestion of counting the race as a tempo run and switching your long run to Friday or Tuesday.
Dan, don't skip your rest days. You need those to recover and heal.
Thanks, guys. I think Week 7 is going to play out like this: Monday easy 3-4; Tuesday 6-7; Wednesday rest; Thursday easy 11-12; Friday easy 3-4; Saturday rest; Sunday race (5 miles). I might be able to get away with scratching the easy 3-4 on Monday and XTing instead.
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