Monday, March 24, 2008

Training Plan & Other Stuff

A few of you out there in bloggerville have asked about my training plan. I
have signed up for a half marathon on
May 11th. This will be my 3rd half marathon.


When I first started running races, I would find a training plan on
line
and stick to it (or at least TRY to). But now, I have a much easier
approach. Basically, I look at the race day and just make sure I get in a 10
miler the week before. Then I go back each weekend and build up to it (running
my longer distances on the weekend). For example:
May 11 Race Day
May 3 Run 10 miles
April 26 Run 9 miles
April 19 Run 8 miles
April 12 Run 7 miles
April 5 Run 6 miles
Mar 29 Run 5 miles

Then during the week, I just try to get in at least 3 days of running around 3 or 4 miles. This way I am not really on a strict schedule except weekends. I did this for my last half and it seemed to work fine. Of course, I'm no professional and can barely keep my miles under 10 minutes, but it works for me.


Now, since I have hills in this next race, I am going to add hills into my longer runs. I didn't do it this weekend - it took all my strength just to get 5 miles in (a little too much drinking this weekend). But starting next weekend with my 6, I will add some hill work.

In other news, I was tagged by Cara to sum up my life in 6 words. Check out the link to see where this idea came from - pretty cool. Of course, the challenge proved more difficult than it seems on the surface.

The first one that popped into my head was:
"It's never too late to change."

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great quote and how true. Your plan for the half sounds good. I think running hills will definitely help. After a while they are that bad and aren't too dreaded.

Jess said...

I saw that book at B&N and it seems kinda interesting. I think your 6 word memoir is good.

As far as the training plan development, I think that's a perfectly acceptable way to build a plan, and you've been successful with your races, so why change it?

Unknown said...

First, you kick butt at this half marathon stuff. Sounds like a good plan. Once I kick this flu completely I am going to go out and work back up to where I was at and move forward. heh.

Second, I love your 6 word memoir. :-)

Danielle said...

That's pretty much what I try and do too. My problem is STICKING to the plan...

Viv said...

Sounds like a solid plan. You will do awesome, no doubt! I mean you had a likeer race in a typhoon nonetheless!
That was a inspiring 6 word summary.

Marcy said...

Looks good to me! You will rock it, fo sho! ;D

Petraruns said...

Excellent - tried and tested - it works for you. Would you do the same for a full?

P.O.M. said...

Good question Petra... actually when I did the full last year (and when I will do another this year) I actually do a more structured plan becuase I increase mileage during the week, as well. I got a plan from the internet last time - working up to 22 miles. Seemed to work, but I ended up with some over-use injuries. So I will need to figure out something...

eurydice said...

your 6 words sumup reminds me of the biggest loser theme song hahaha.

i think that one is "it's never too late to try" but same meaning. :)

Nancy said...

Nice work. I was pretty strict about my first plan, but now have more of your approach. I have a 20k at the end of May so we will be building at about the same time (although I did eek out an 8 miler this week.) No taper though? You might be more fresh with a taper week, but then again, why mess with a good thang?

Crissy Rae said...

Sounds like you have a pretty good running plan there. I like your six word memoir...so true.

TonyP said...

Great that you signed up. Good luck with training.

Susan said...

I love that quote! Maybe mine is "Trying to be myself but better." Hmm.....

Carly said...

Great quote!

Great idea on the training. I am going to try the P.O.M. method for my half in june. : )

Mendy said...

Agree with the training plan. It's worked, so why not continue along the same plan. Most plans up the mileage by 2 miles a week, but your way it's just 1, so you don't feel the need to back down every now and then. I like it!

Lucas said...

Thanks for sharing the training plan! It helps give me a better idea of what to do for my upcoming race. This running thing is still fairly new to me so I can use all the help and advice I can get!

Runner Leana said...

"It's never too late to change."

I love it!

Midwest said...

I'm running a half on that very same day!

Anne said...

Can't wait to hear how this one turns out since I've got it on my list for when I'm finally healthy again. It looks like a blast. I mean, how can a race with wine not be?!