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BamaDave · 02-08-2006, 12:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
This brings me to a question for you or km or any other runners out there. How much should I adjust my pace times as my ability gets better? This may not matter in the short term for my 1/2-M but but marathon training lasts a long time. Should I stick with a beginning goal or adjust along the way? Hope that makes a little sense, its late and I should be in bed.

jim

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim, are you talking about adjusting your training paces or your goal marathon pace??

In a nutshell, since you are training with weights and running, you will likely run fewer times per week than someone who is only training for a marathon. To get the most out of those days, you should do quality work during your marathon training as much as three days per week - two days with some form of pace work (repeats, tempo, etc) and then your long run as the third. Frankly, I would up the pace on the long run versus what a lot of people who only run recommend. I think it's fine to run long runs at 20-50 sec/mile slower than marathon pace (a lot of runners say to do them at 1-2 min/mile slower). But alot of this depends on how you feel, etc.

If you ever read the Runner's World Forum, there are constant battles between the quantity and quality crowds. The quantity folks insist that the best way to get better at marathoning is to run gazillions of miles, many of them at slow paces. The quality folks will say that you can run fewer miles if you include more high intensity work.

I think there are probably different means to the same end for most people. Yes, if you want to reach your absolute max potential at marathoning, then you have to run tremendous mileage to adapt your body to be a running machine AND include some quality work. But most people aren't realistically going to reach their max potential, and most people like to do other things besides running 100 miles per week. So, personally, I think most people would benefit from a less mileage/fewer days/more intensity type approach. However, for marathons you do need a solid mileage base for building your endurance. I just don't think you have to follow the high mileage/slow run approach that many advocate. Especially if you also want to keep up your weight training.

Sorry I got so long winded here!

02-08-2006, 12:00 PM	#43 (permalink)
BamaDave My Glutes Hurt Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,124 My Profile	Re: My Better Me than You Log [ QUOTE ] This brings me to a question for you or km or any other runners out there. How much should I adjust my pace times as my ability gets better? This may not matter in the short term for my 1/2-M but but marathon training lasts a long time. Should I stick with a beginning goal or adjust along the way? Hope that makes a little sense, its late and I should be in bed. jim [/ QUOTE ] Jim, are you talking about adjusting your training paces or your goal marathon pace?? In a nutshell, since you are training with weights and running, you will likely run fewer times per week than someone who is only training for a marathon. To get the most out of those days, you should do quality work during your marathon training as much as three days per week - two days with some form of pace work (repeats, tempo, etc) and then your long run as the third. Frankly, I would up the pace on the long run versus what a lot of people who only run recommend. I think it's fine to run long runs at 20-50 sec/mile slower than marathon pace (a lot of runners say to do them at 1-2 min/mile slower). But alot of this depends on how you feel, etc. If you ever read the Runner's World Forum, there are constant battles between the quantity and quality crowds. The quantity folks insist that the best way to get better at marathoning is to run gazillions of miles, many of them at slow paces. The quality folks will say that you can run fewer miles if you include more high intensity work. I think there are probably different means to the same end for most people. Yes, if you want to reach your absolute max potential at marathoning, then you have to run tremendous mileage to adapt your body to be a running machine AND include some quality work. But most people aren't realistically going to reach their max potential, and most people like to do other things besides running 100 miles per week. So, personally, I think most people would benefit from a less mileage/fewer days/more intensity type approach. However, for marathons you do need a solid mileage base for building your endurance. I just don't think you have to follow the high mileage/slow run approach that many advocate. Especially if you also want to keep up your weight training. Sorry I got so long winded here!