This summer has been good for me as far as running goes, but I also realize I've made the same mistakes that I have made in the past. Hopefully in the future I will not make them again!
Here is what I did wrong:
1) Started a plan to ramp up quickly without adequate base training. I thought I would be ok because over the spring I had been training hard (on the bike), but cycling does not prepare your legs for running, especially if the running plan entails long mileage, hills and fast quality workouts.
2) Tried to make up for missed workouts. This was a fatal mistake. I missed a couple key workouts during a week when I was travelling, and then tried to catch up by doing two quality workouts in a row. That was too much and my right IT band let me know!
3) Did not listen to my body, and let my ego and ambition lead my decisions. I could have cut the workout short when I started to feel like I had pushed too hard, and would probably not have had to take as long these last few weeks to get back to full capacity, but I wanted to get that 32 KM run completed, and thought I could "just do it".
On the other hand, here's what I did right:
1) Reassessed what I was was doing and why I was doing it, and realized that the risk to keep pushing towards an unrealistic plan was not worth getting injured. I'd much rather run shorter and slower than not run at all!
2) Will try to stick with the true spirit of "Lifetime Runners"!
Portland marathon is in three weeks (October 10th). I will start, but will treat it as another training run and if I have any pain, I'll either slow down, walk, or even drop out.
Seattle marathon is in 10 weeks. Will see where I am with my training after Portland and decide how to proceed. Either way, the running I have been doing lately (6 - 12 KM's at an easy pace and low HR) seems to be ok, so If I am able to build up the longer runs again, things should work out fine.
Here is what I did wrong:
1) Started a plan to ramp up quickly without adequate base training. I thought I would be ok because over the spring I had been training hard (on the bike), but cycling does not prepare your legs for running, especially if the running plan entails long mileage, hills and fast quality workouts.
2) Tried to make up for missed workouts. This was a fatal mistake. I missed a couple key workouts during a week when I was travelling, and then tried to catch up by doing two quality workouts in a row. That was too much and my right IT band let me know!
3) Did not listen to my body, and let my ego and ambition lead my decisions. I could have cut the workout short when I started to feel like I had pushed too hard, and would probably not have had to take as long these last few weeks to get back to full capacity, but I wanted to get that 32 KM run completed, and thought I could "just do it".
On the other hand, here's what I did right:
1) Reassessed what I was was doing and why I was doing it, and realized that the risk to keep pushing towards an unrealistic plan was not worth getting injured. I'd much rather run shorter and slower than not run at all!
2) Will try to stick with the true spirit of "Lifetime Runners"!
Portland marathon is in three weeks (October 10th). I will start, but will treat it as another training run and if I have any pain, I'll either slow down, walk, or even drop out.
Seattle marathon is in 10 weeks. Will see where I am with my training after Portland and decide how to proceed. Either way, the running I have been doing lately (6 - 12 KM's at an easy pace and low HR) seems to be ok, so If I am able to build up the longer runs again, things should work out fine.
Hi Mr USC !
SvaraRaderaThis is all sweet music to my ears. First you go for Portland like a LR training session, without to much pressure on yourself. After that you will have a much better idea about what would be a good goal for Seattle. Tonight one of my old running friends from Munsö dropped by for a cup of coffe... (Patrick) . He is in our age and said that a 10%-monthly distance increase is his absolutly maximum. Patrick has now opened up for joining me and El Maco in Växjö ( nice... :-)
Good luck in Portland. We are all waiting for your story :-)
I agree. The most important thing is to run. Not to run sub 4, 100km, 12 hours or whatever strange goals weall might have.
SvaraRaderaFor me, this is Lidingö week. Will go on a business trip today. This time Ukraine so I hope that I will not be as affected as was after the Bangladesh trip 2007.