5 replies to this topic

[rinajack]

Hi all

I had planned to run in the Mackay 1/2 marathon in June this year - unfortunately I was unwell for several weeks leading up to that, and with my husband away, and 3 kids 5 and under, it just didn't work out.  I did well up to that point in training for it though, and ran a 17km run in late March, 6:00/km, and was not sore following.

I have finally managed to get back to more regular running, and my husband will be home for several months straight from next weekend, so I have  been thinking about what running I should do.  The last few weekends I have run 16km (flat course) on the Saturday, and followed it up with 10km (flat course pushing toddler in pram) on the Sunday. My pace is approx 6:00/km on the 15km, and about 6:20/km on the 10km but the pram slows me down a little. I do throw in a couple of very short walks, but the total walking in that would be less than 500m, probably more like 200m. I have had a little muscle soreness, but nothing really note worthy.  I have not managed much other running with my husband away, but should be able to manage at least 4 runs per week once he is home again.

I am not planning to run in any real races until June next year, or maybe even July - I have made plans with my sister to run in the Gold Coast 1/2 next year, but may also do the Mackay 1/2 if it works out.

What should my running schedule look like right now? I think I just need to be building a base of regular running, just clocking up the kms, but I am not really sure. It is important to note that for me, running is easily as much about relaxation as it is about fitness, and that I also run to assist in my weight loss.  I have lost more than 20kg twice now (after baby 2 and baby 3), and gone from not being able to run for 60secs at a time, to this level of running!

I look forward to your thoughts, suggestions, opinions.

[rinajack]

Anyone? I just find it so much easier to run if I have a plan!

[lyricnz]

Suggest getting out 1-2 times during the week if you can, even for a short (5km?) run.  Other than that - Google is your friend!  There are lots of training plans online, depending on your current fitness levels, motivation, time commitment, performance goals etc.

eg:
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/
http://www.goldcoast...sp?PageID=14448
http://www.runnerswo...2X5X8-3,00.html
etc

[Paul Every]

rinajack, on 16 September 2011 - 07:49 PM, said:

I am not planning to run in any real races until June next year, or maybe even July - I have made plans with my sister to run in the Gold Coast 1/2 next year, but may also do the Mackay 1/2 if it works out.

rinajack, on 20 September 2011 - 06:00 PM, said:

Anyone? I just find it so much easier to run if I have a plan!

Most of us are like you, always easier when there is clear objective.

Maybe you could sniff around for some local races before June. Having a more immediate goal will help to keep your interest and motivation.

Perhaps hook up with a regular training partner once or twice a week or possibly a local club if their sessions fit around your family commitments.

As lyricnz said, with the running you are doing on the weekend, the addition of a couple of mid week runs is a good progression.

Edited by Paul Every, 21 September 2011 - 11:41 AM.

[rinajack]

Thanks very much for responding.

Where I live there isn't an option of a more immediate goal - and if one were organised, I would probably only know 3-4 weeks ahead of time.  My town is very small LOL.  Occasionally I run with another person, but since we both have small children, just as often it doesn't work out. In the same vein, there is no running club or the like.  I do know of a few mums who run on a particular morning of the week, but it isn't a day I can work with.

I am in two minds now.  My sister (absolutely not a running expert, but knows me and where I live (and how darn hot it gets here), thinks I should throw in some 5ks like you suggested, and stick with just a couple of 10ks on the weekend. (Do you think I should keep the 15km+ run???) My other alternative is a little programme I came up with, a modification of a 10k and 1/2 marathon - with a long run per week, a tempo run, intervals, a recovery and one other run. (I am often looking up different programmes to try to work my running out, and have actually followed several successfully in the past).  This I think is achievable, however my sister makes a great point that by the time I complete it will be Xmas and I will be running in temps in the high 20s even if I run in the early morning.  She thinks I should wait until about March to start that one, and use it as my 1/2 marathon lead up.

Any thoughts on this?  I don't know wether I should be training for some real improvement, or wether improvement will come by just continually racking up the km's - which is a more pleasant way to run on a given day iykwim?

[Gone2thepack]

rinajack, on 21 September 2011 - 09:35 PM, said:

Thanks very much for responding.

Where I live there isn't an option of a more immediate goal - and if one were organised, I would probably only know 3-4 weeks ahead of time.  My town is very small LOL.  Occasionally I run with another person, but since we both have small children, just as often it doesn't work out. In the same vein, there is no running club or the like.  I do know of a few mums who run on a particular morning of the week, but it isn't a day I can work with.

I am in two minds now.  My sister (absolutely not a running expert, but knows me and where I live (and how darn hot it gets here), thinks I should throw in some 5ks like you suggested, and stick with just a couple of 10ks on the weekend. (Do you think I should keep the 15km+ run???) My other alternative is a little programme I came up with, a modification of a 10k and 1/2 marathon - with a long run per week, a tempo run, intervals, a recovery and one other run. (I am often looking up different programmes to try to work my running out, and have actually followed several successfully in the past).  This I think is achievable, however my sister makes a great point that by the time I complete it will be Xmas and I will be running in temps in the high 20s even if I run in the early morning.  She thinks I should wait until about March to start that one, and use it as my 1/2 marathon lead up.

Any thoughts on this?  I don't know wether I should be training for some real improvement, or wether improvement will come by just continually racking up the km's - which is a more pleasant way to run on a given day iykwim?

My two cents;
A long run is vital as it creates the base for any half, marathon or ultra run you want to attempt.
If the heat is a problem, run with a Camelbak, or run in the very early morning, while hubby is home(presumption).
Always have a goal, or you will like most of us, slip back to old habits.
Not sure if you have a Garmin watch or something of the like, but they can be great for motivation as you always have an accurate and honest snapshot of where you are at.
Enjoy yourself, its always about taking a break away from the world for a couple of hours for yourself.

Whatever your running goals are, good luck and work to train hard to race easy.

Cheers

Edited by Gone2thepack, 25 September 2011 - 11:15 AM.