As each training season comes and goes, I try to reflect on what I did right and what I did wrong. I know lots of times people only do this when the goal race doesn't turn out as planned, but I think it is equally important when race day goes well.
It has been 10 days since I ran Chicago and the most obvious lesson jumping out at me is that my schedule last season was just WAY too much. My last 11 weeks of training included several 20 (or 20+) milers and high volume. However, I don't think I needed to do that much. In fact, I think it may have actually been somewhat detrimental since I was so beat up.
During the last 10 days I have been surprised at all the little tweaks and twinges I have been feeling during recovery. Usually I feel them during the taper. I am very clearly still recovering from the abuse I laid on my legs the last few months. The take away: My body can't sustain that high of mileage. While it worked when I was a stay at home mom getting at least 2 hours more sleep every day and being up and active all day, it was manageable. Now, it doesn't make sense.
On the other hand, high mileage DEFINITELY makes a big difference. Almost immediately after getting above the 60 mile mark I watched my HR dramatically decrease and I dropped a couple pounds. This always makes such a huge difference. The take away: While I won't pile on lots of high mileage weeks, I may try to hit 2 or 3 in the peak of my training.
My tune-up races were very poor during this season. I know it is because I was really beat up and needed more rest. I think scaling it back a bit will help solve this. While it isn't really critical for my key race, it is SO much more fun when the shorter races go well.
I REALLY needed down time. Not only am I currently feeling tweaks and twinges 10 days out, I have had very little desire to get up early and run. I need the rest and am going to take it while consciously pushing out the nagging thoughts that I am wasting my fitness. I can get it back. For now, I need to recover and rest, both physically and mentally.
With that said, I will probably run tomorrow, Saturday and I am doing a relay race on Sunday for fun. Next week I will probably try to get back up in the 25 mpw range, with a little quality. Probably the same the following week, which will culminate in a half marathon. I don't have any real expectations for the half - just run as hard as I can that day and enjoy it.
Happy Wednesday.
3 comments:
Agree completely that you should do this type of review no matter what the results so that you can try and replicate what worked and modify what doesn't.
Nice work in Chicago.
Glad you learned some stuff to help the training next time!
I, too, find it difficult to pile in the super high mileage while working fulltime. It's all about balance.
Enjoy your down time.
So any tentative thoughts on a spring marathon?
I made mistakes like that both times I've trained for a marathon. I start off very enthusiastic and string together 6-8 great weeks that come in the middle of training. In the last six weeks of training, I detest the very act of running.
I'd take too much time off than too little, if only so that you're eager enough to train hard going forward.
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