Currently, I'm running over 35 miles per week. By mid-June, my mileage will be close to 45 miles per week. In comparison, while training for the New Orleans marathon in 2004-05, I ran less than 30 miles per week. So I've ramped up my mileage significantly. I've also added some quality runs that are much more challenging. Track, hills, and tempo workouts really boost your threshold and tolerance of running faster & harder.
However, some intense marathon training programs ask people to run 55 to 75 miles per week. That's a whole lot of miles!! I could imagine running closer to 50 miles per week- probably by extending one weekday run to around 12 miles and running about 20 miles on the weekend. But how do you keep your hips, knees, calves, tendons, and feet happy when you're subjecting them to THAT many miles?? I'm not certain that I'm built to run 55 or more miles per week- plus that would take a lot of time :O I think it's worthwhile to see the fruits of this marathon training cycle before checking out the extreme-high mileage plans.
May 12, 2009
May 11, 2009
New path
I think medium long runs are becoming my new favorite kind of workout. It's long enough that you get into a solid running groove and cover a bunch of ground, yet it's short enough that you don't need to worry about gu or hitting the wall! Today I ran up Moraga and around the paths of Piedmont Park. Then I ran back down to Grand Avenue and partially around Lake Merritt.
And there's a new pedestrian path around the lake- yay! The paved path is nice and smooth, though I miss the softness of the dirt/gravel trail. No more being crammed on the sidewalk. A bonus- there seemed to be fewer birds (especially pidgeons--which repulse me) on the path :) The path around Lake Merritt is definitely one of the gems of Otown!
What else is on tap for this week?
And there's a new pedestrian path around the lake- yay! The paved path is nice and smooth, though I miss the softness of the dirt/gravel trail. No more being crammed on the sidewalk. A bonus- there seemed to be fewer birds (especially pidgeons--which repulse me) on the path :) The path around Lake Merritt is definitely one of the gems of Otown!
What else is on tap for this week?
- Track- 400s
- Bay to Breakers- 7.4 mile race! It should be fun to push the pace and see how I hold up on the hills. I just registered last night and will not be in an appropriately paced corral, but it should be okay.
May 10, 2009
Trajectory of long runs
When I woke up this morning, my legs felt better than Friday or Saturday before the long run. Umm, how does a 15 miles run heal your legs? I'm not sure, but I do love long runs. Here's a visual of how I'll ramp up the mileage of weekend long runs:
Yes, there will be some tough weeks in June, but there's time in July to taper before the race!
Yes, there will be some tough weeks in June, but there's time in July to taper before the race!
May 9, 2009
The heat is on
This week's long run was 15 miles. Because I was anticipated the summery heat, I wore shorts, a light tank top, and my visor. And, yes, it was hot on the island of Alameda, though the bay breezes were helpful and rejuvenating when we ran around Bay Farm Island.
The flatness of Alameda's paths is welcome for long runs, especially when I've ramped up multiple parts of my training all-at-once! Mile 13-14 was my fastest because I treated it as a tempo mile on tired legs. The mile felt long, but it was nice to use different muscles and push the speed :O
ps- I keep forgetting to bring my camera on training runs, but it will happen SOON....
The flatness of Alameda's paths is welcome for long runs, especially when I've ramped up multiple parts of my training all-at-once! Mile 13-14 was my fastest because I treated it as a tempo mile on tired legs. The mile felt long, but it was nice to use different muscles and push the speed :O
ps- I keep forgetting to bring my camera on training runs, but it will happen SOON....
May 8, 2009
Wellness and happiness
Bhutan has been a leader in quantifying well-being and happiness through the concept of gross national happiness (GNH). In comparison to GNP, GNH places value on physical, mental, and social wellness economic as well as environmental and economic wellness.
Today's sunshiney 60 minute run increased my gross personal happiness by contributing to my physical and mental wellness. I think the latte from the Hudson Cafe helped boost the local economy, which is always nice for overall happiness. When I think of my quality of life, I think of my caring hubby and our ridiculous cat, time spent running and enjoying the great outdoors, and delectable meals. Running definitely is related to my wellness and happiness, and I do hope that everyone finds the activities and places that make them happy.
Today's sunshiney 60 minute run increased my gross personal happiness by contributing to my physical and mental wellness. I think the latte from the Hudson Cafe helped boost the local economy, which is always nice for overall happiness. When I think of my quality of life, I think of my caring hubby and our ridiculous cat, time spent running and enjoying the great outdoors, and delectable meals. Running definitely is related to my wellness and happiness, and I do hope that everyone finds the activities and places that make them happy.
May 7, 2009
Lions pool
I decided to take advantage of today's warm and sunny rest day by going for a mellow swim. I've discovered that Oakland's public pools have reasonable facilities, are quite well maintained, and are a great value for lap swimming. All in all, a fantastic example of a public good. So I drove up to Dimond Park, parked in a lot, wandered around and down a path to find the pool's entrance. The pool is tucked into a canyon in the lower part of the Oakland hills. After paying the $3 entrance fee, I was soon easing myself into the pool's slow lane :O
Jenica motivated me to cross train, but we also know that cross training need to be pretty easy so the legs can recover. I warmed up with a few nice and easy laps of breaststroke. I did a few faster laps- a couple freestyle (I never know what to do with my legs while doing the freestyle) and a couple more breaststroke. Then I cooled down with some relaxing laps of breastroke. My lap swimming pace is slow plus my form is not at all professional, but this otter loves aquatherapy!
Jenica motivated me to cross train, but we also know that cross training need to be pretty easy so the legs can recover. I warmed up with a few nice and easy laps of breaststroke. I did a few faster laps- a couple freestyle (I never know what to do with my legs while doing the freestyle) and a couple more breaststroke. Then I cooled down with some relaxing laps of breastroke. My lap swimming pace is slow plus my form is not at all professional, but this otter loves aquatherapy!
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