5 replies to this topic

[speedmeup]

We seem to be entering that time of year where there's a race on every weekend - awesome!. . I've had two races in the last two weeks (a half marathon and a 10km) .. both done flat out on hard surfaces (cement and tar) .  .The calves are starting to get tight, and in the next 4 weeks there's a race on every weekend. .

I was wondering what other peoples idea's were on recovery patterns (single week) and/or gap between races (multiple weeks?)..  .. what do track athletes do over summer to let the body recover?  I don't really want to back off on the km because the results are starting to come.

[MG4R]

Pick races you really want to go well at, and train for them accordingly. If there is a race on every weekend for the next four weeks, think to yourself which one's you want to smash out a fast time. Maybe use the others as simply a training run, or do a lower distance in it if possible for some speedwork. Remembering if you are racing constantly, your training will not be as strong as it can be due to resting the day before (or light jogging) and recovery afterwards.

You seem very keen to race which is great! Just remember too much racing can hinder your performance, whilst choosing say two of the four races available, you might see better results.

[Quinkin]

I've always considered racing to be the best kind of speedwork. I race a lot. My training is based around racing every weekend.

I have no trouble racing 5-10km races every week. Some races I take more seriously than others. For example this weekend I am doing a 20km run on Saturday, and a 10km race on Sunday. The Sunday race will be more of a solid training run, than a race.

Half Marathons I race more sparingly. My idea of a taper might be a light run the day before a race. Recovery after the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon was a couple of days rest, because my calves were stiff. More often recovery is a light 8km run on grass.

In summer I race less frequently, but I am able to run long on weekends and get my weekly kilometres up over 80km. I do more speed work, and race shorter distances 1500m -5km

[ChrisMac]

You could replace one of your mid-week training runs with a massage every so often.

[mgi11a]

Keep racing, when you think about it unless your at the pointy end of the field it's more about participation and having a bit of a crack and just the fun of the day.

[speedmeup]

good advice thanks guys. . i might try a massage every now and then to ease the legs. .  . I seem to take a couple weeks to recover from races, not really sore or anything, just lethargic and slow ...  probably pushing too hard as usual ! . .

cheers.