19 January 2006

 

A conclusion.........

............the Hal Higdon training plan is too difficult for me to commit to in my current state of affairs.

I need to be more realistic or I am going to spend the rest of my training constantly guilt tripping myself whenever I don't go for a run or talking myself out of runs. I didn't run over the weekend because of alcohol abuse and this week has been difficult due to work commitments.

I know I'm not going to change the bad habits of a life time or stop working (if only) so I need to find an 'easier' training programme.

I want to enjoy my training but to be honest HH's programme is too much and I felt I was being pushed too hard and was rebelling.................

Does that make sense?

Glad I got it off my chest!

Think I am going to follow the Runner's World Sub 4.30 schedule instead as it seems more doable.

By the way I DID go for a run yesterday (3 miles) and I am going for one shortly so I have not completely buggered up my training, just went off the rails a bit!!!

Comments:
Charlie my coach Spans got a GFA time of sub 3:45 on 4 runs a week and this is my training plan too
No fixed days to run on
Just 4 runs to do and you fit them in with you! So do them when it is best for you!
Two steady runs - I do 2@50mins
1 speedwork session and 1 long run
speedwork can be:
8 X 3mins @ 10K pace 1-2 mins recovery
or
a pyramide session of 2:3:5:3:2 etc with 1 min recovery between each set or pyramide with distance
400m:600m:800m etc
might work better for you!
 
Charlie - I haven't read all of your blog and HH plans do seem a big commitment but I think the big mistake is trying to run the plan religiously. I use it more as a guide. I am sure if you can pull 3 weekday runs together (between 5km and 10km)and the one long run at the weekend that he suggests is fine. It was for me and I ran 4.00.21 last marathon. I must say I don't do speedwork (hence I am not yet under 4 hours) but I think it puts too much of a strain on the body - well mine anyway. Good luck and I find a great hangover cure is to get out and run.....well most of the time.
 
My theory (and I haven't run a marathon yet) is that of my 5 planned runs each week only two are "key" runs - those are the mid-week medium long and the weekend long run. My coach reckons I will complete my marathon goal (inside 4hrs) if those are completed and the rest are just "good to do" but not "must do".

I would count each of those swim sessions of yours as the equivalent of a short run.

No guilt - no regrets!
 
Thanks guys! I'm glad you understand what I was getting at, I like running but I don't want to be a slave to my training programme and it become a 'have to do' rather than a 'want to do' activity.

Had a great 5 mile session on Friday (2 rest days on Saturday and Sun, but swam and cycled) and I'm going to do a 7 miler today at some point, probably after lunch).

Keep smilin!
 
"...but I don't want to be a slave to my training programme and it become a 'have to do' rather than a 'want to do' activity.."

and you are absolutely right in that Charlie...

Yes - train as hard as you can..
Yes - have goals

but running should also be about, doing it because you can, because you want to, and because it's fun

[steps off soap box]
 
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