Question of the Week: All the Same or Mix it Up?

So here’s a question for you:

When you run do you continually do the same routine (flat surface, few hills, long distances, speed training) or do you mix it up (one day speed, one day long, one day hills, one day intervals?)

I ask this because I have recently learned (after about 12 years of running) that the way to improve, and the way to remain happy with running, is to mix it up.

I’m talking about the long haul here. Not for those that have just started or are picking it up again, but for those who have been running for at least six months and have a base mileage plan going.

I have learned quite by accident -and sheer boredom during the last marathon’s training program – that running can be fun if you mix up training.

I kind of burned out while training for Disney. It seemed I was so focused on one thing -the distance – that I had not time ot focus on other things in running, like improving my speed or trying a different route.

I had to get it done, every time. I had to go the distance I knew I had to complete for that week. I had to follow a certain route because it trained me a certain way.

It was a lot of work, and, unfortunately, I grew quite bored with my runs, particularly the long ones.

After Disney, I decided things needed to change. I added a dedicated speed day instead of trying to ‘squeeze some speed training in’. I added a longer run day during the week, when I didn’t care if I came back and worked on other areas of my body, like core and back stretching and tightening.

I didn’t care the other day when the Garmin pooped out on me.

I believe with running, in order to remain dedicated and happy, you have to mix things up a bit. If you are always running the same route, there’s a chance for boredom. If you are always training the same way, there is a chance for boredom. If you are always concerned about going the distance or going the speed, there is a chance for boredom. And when you get bored with running, you become burned out.

So – do you keep your workouts all the same or do you mix them up? And if you mix them up, tell us how!

Sunday’s run: 5 miles, knee hurts. Bridge run this weekend was great. I placed 4th in age – the girl that came in before me did so by only two seconds! Darn!

Next week’s race is Saturday, a 5K, in which I hope to place at least third. It will be a flat course, unlike yesterdays 3/4 mile up at 6% grade, 300 feet of flat, 6% grade down – and then we did it all over again!

Happy Running!