These past week I’ve been adjusting my running schedule, as I’ve mentioned in several posts, looking for that magic number that will work for me physically AND mentally – as well as fit into my already crammed schedule.
A few things I’ve done:
- Decreased mileage from 30 to about 25-26
- Added in some cross training
- Increased stretching
- Been flexible with schedule- if I don’t get up at 5, I get up later and run with the toddler in the stroller
I actually feel much better in terms of health. More rested, looking forward to the runs again, less stressed, no knee pain, no back pain, etc . . . and not fatigued during the day.
However, my time has taken a hit. Since I didn’t do any speedwork the past two weeks, I noticed my 9:15 miles are now around 9:25.
A few weeks of speed training and, gulp, my time has decreased.
I’m not going to push working on that now. I’m still adjusting the schedule and ‘taking it easy’ for a few weeks to get my running spirit back in order. However, I do need to add in a few sprints during my short Thursday runs, when I also do cross training. So tomorrow I will work on a three miler with a few sprints in the mix, before getting onto the bike and doing a few miles.
How do you fit in speed work when you are running less? And when you stop speedwork for a while, do you see it in your regular running times?
I don’t generally notice a difference in easy day run times when my speed work stops for a while. For me, the running stroller is what makes a huge difference in my running times. When I run by myself I’ll run 8:00 to 8:30 pace on an easy day. With the stroller I usually run around 9:00 to 9:30 pace.
Fitting in speed work is a whole other story. Most of my speed work happens on the row machine after Kaylee goes to bed because I almost always have to run with the stroller. And speed work and running stroller shouldn’t be in the same sentence!
Have you considered that your times have slowed a bit just because you’re tired and need rest?
Katies last blog post..Tuesday’s Training Update
Don’t forget that you cannot be doing speed work all the time, approx 6 weeks is a good number if you running two sessions a week, otherwise you’ll be flirting with injury.
Maybe throw in some fartleks…maybe you’re doing that already?
Personally I only add 6 weeks of speed work (1 x tempo, 1 x intervals) at the end of the training cycle before going into the taper…well that’s the plan!
Stuarts last blog post..Things that end in X!
Great progress! I wish I could keep up my fitness routine.