So Ive ticked off a pretty big goal with my debut marathon in Vienna. Now its time to look around and select some new ones. In a month ill be celebrating my First Anniversary of Racing, Its seems like a good opportunity to re-run that same 5k race again, I havent run any 5k's since then so im guaranteed a new PB, but what id really like to do is run a sub 20 min 5k. Ive also just today registered for my next Marathon, Münster on Sept 11. Its a nice flat, fast course, and my goal is to race it the whole way, I dont know if ill have a London Good For Age (GFA) in me, but that seems like a good target for the moment. So two new goals, that i need to tie into my training.
First off this week is the first week of training after Vienna, Its a light recovery week, so no high intensity runnign at all, everything is either at Aerobic pace or slower, and nothing too long.
Next week ill introduce my morning jogs again, Im going to start running those barefoot, so the distance will be pretty short in the begining. Ive checked out a nice route from my appartment that has plenty of grass and packed dirt and only short stretches of stones or hard surface. Up untill the 5k ill be including two speed workouts. One will be sprints, trying to work on leg speed and form. the other will be intervals, probably 1000m repeats, since thats what im used too. Ill continue to use the group nights as gentle or easy runs. Weekends i think ill keep as they are, a mid distance steady state run followed by a good old fashioned LSR on sundays.
So a weekly training plan will look something like this (excluding my morning recovery jogs)
Monday, Easy: 14-17k at recovery pace.
Tuesday, Sprint: Technique drills, 100m/200m repeats.
Wednesday, Easy: 14-17k at recovery pace.
Thursday, Speed: 1000m intervals.
Friday, Easy: 14-17k at recovery pace.
Saturday, Pace: 20k at Current Marathon Pace.
Sunday, LSR: 30-35k at Aerobic pace (HR 140bpm)
Once the 5k is out of the way ill turn my attention to Münster, Ill swap the two speed workouts for longer runs at Aerobic pace, Ill start tacking on a little extra distance/time at aerobic pace onto the group night runs. My saturday run ill switch to tempo intervals, bassically doing 3k stretches at 10k pace with a 1km recovery in between. When my LSR's are solo ill add a fast finish at MP alternating these with a classic LSR.
Then my weekly training plan (excluding the morning jogs again) will be.
Monday, Easy: 60min @ easy pace, 30 min @ Aerobic pace.
Tuesday, Hard: 120-130 min @ Aerobic pace.
Wednesday, Easy: 60min @ easy pace, 30 min @ Aerobic pace.
Thursday, Hard: 120-130 min @ Aerobic pace.
Friday, Easy: 60min @ easy pace, 30 min @ Aerobic pace.
Saturday, Stamina: 20k Tempo interval, 4*3k@10k pace.
Sunday, Long: 2:45-3hr at Aerobic pace, optionally Last 10k at MP.
Looking at the second plan youll notice that Im not really using distance to measure my training, rather time, I think if you run bassed on fixed distance and pace then your performance inprovement begins to stagnate. by using fixed time and effort the distance and pace are able to increase as your performance does, you maintain a consistent training presure on your current performance.
Ofcourse i wont be able to follow this exactly, real life gets in the way, I have weekends with my kids and I spend evenings at their place. My LSR's with the running group will sometimes be below my normal Aerobic pace, and they wont be keen on fast finishes. At the end of the day Im also not really one to stick to a plan religiously. But they will serve as a guide.
What i do need to do is find a couple of races leading up to Münster that i can use to help set my race pace, a Half Marathon would be best, about 6 weeks before...which could be difficult since that will put it pretty much still in the summer. But thats what the more experienced guys in a running group are there fore... someone will know of something.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
How I became a Jogger
If you ask me how to get started in this running game, Ill preach to you about listening to your body, not increasing millage too quickly, not worrying about pace, Ill suggest training bassed on time rather than distance, basically all the things that i didnt do when i was starting out myself. The enlightened man would suggest that i learnt from the error of my ways, but thats not strictly true, I actually think i was just lucky to get away with it.
So how exactly did i get started on this journey that took me from a depressed guy that was starting to drink way to heavily, to an athlete that belts out a 3:22 marathon less than a year later? Well actually my start is probably pretty similar to many others, its only really in the ongoing training, and the training volume that i differ to most other new runners.
I guess i was lucky to be born with good genes, i have never really been significantly overweight, and exercised more or less irregularly mainly as part of being a father to 3 kids. But in the 6 months prior to when i started running my health had suffered. Id started at around 97Kg, dropped to 88Kg in about a month, and then bounced back up to 100Kg as a result of starting to drink more heavily. The circumstances in my life could have easily seen me spiral out of control, so it was really fortuitous that i laced up those old sneakers one afternoon and decided to run to the bridge and back.
My very first run was 11-May-2010. It was 3.59km and I completted it in just over 21 mins, which I guess wasnt too bad all thing considered. I do know that i was absolutely buggered at the end of it. I was running in a pair of old sneakers, that I usually wore to mow the lawns in.
Perhapes the next step seperates me a little from many others. Over the next few days I immersed myself in internet research about running. I watched youtube, i read blogs, i read articles at runners world. What that did was fuel my interest. To make sure that i would keep at the running and not stop after a few days. I told my kids that i would run the Local 5k City Run. The next day I discovered it was only 2 1/2 weeks away.
The next two weeks i started training every second day. I ran the same route each time, pushing the pace as much as i could, or at least trying to get to the point where i could run at a consistent pace the whole way without slowing down too much. I knew if i could run that far in training then Id be able to do the 5k on race day... maybe not walk the day after but id do it come hell or high water. Over the course of those two weeks my knees got progresively more and more sore, my legs were still stiff every day. I was really starting to struggle.
Then i made a big mistake, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I decided that my sneakers were a bit too grotty for the city run and put them through the washing machine.... which was wrong. DO NOT WASH SHOES in the washing machine, they shrink. I tried running in them but it was no good. I was faced with a big dilemma, no shoes and a 5k in 3 days. So over lunch the next day, I walked to a local running shoe shop. They put me on the treadmill, did a foot scan, the whole enchilada. The Sales clerk then offered several pairs of shoes the 'suited me'. A pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 were the most comfortable and what i came away with.
No sooner was i home that night, and i was out for a run. the knee soreness during the run was gone...although the stiffness and ache afterwards was still there. From my research i knew to take a rest day the day before the race...well i needed too regardless to be able to run without stiff legs. The 5k race rolled around and i started off conservatively and increased the pace throughout, finshing in a time of 25:47 Breaking the 26min mark that i thought i wouldnt be able to reach. I was over the moon with my result, it must have been the shoes....speaking of shoes, If i hadnt just bought new running shoes i may well have let the running slip at that point, but now i had these shoes, I couldnt justify spending that amount of money on running shoes and then not running in them.
In the weeks that followed My legs finally adjusted to the new regime. the soreness during running was long gone, and the stiffness afterwards was also becoming a thing of the past, Id increased my run from just to the bridge and back to be around the top half of a local lake...a 5.5k course. The next change was to switch to running in the mornings, it meant id have more family time in the evenings, and had the added benifit of avoiding the small flies and insects that frequent the lake shoreline.
Once i was able to run comfortably for 40 mins i started to add in a little extra distance once a week... I was starting to think about running a 10k race. First it was 7km, then 8.5km... then 11km... then 15km.
I started to enjoy the running, it was no longer a chore to get up early and run, i actually wanted to do it. I was feeling good about myself, i was able to go out and run for a whole 10k or further. I was now able to consider myself a Jogger. It was during this time that i started to have my first 'Forrest Gump Moments', running around the local lake, with mist rising off the water and the sun coming up over the horizon.... magic, and i only got to see that because i was now a jogger.
So how exactly did i get started on this journey that took me from a depressed guy that was starting to drink way to heavily, to an athlete that belts out a 3:22 marathon less than a year later? Well actually my start is probably pretty similar to many others, its only really in the ongoing training, and the training volume that i differ to most other new runners.
I guess i was lucky to be born with good genes, i have never really been significantly overweight, and exercised more or less irregularly mainly as part of being a father to 3 kids. But in the 6 months prior to when i started running my health had suffered. Id started at around 97Kg, dropped to 88Kg in about a month, and then bounced back up to 100Kg as a result of starting to drink more heavily. The circumstances in my life could have easily seen me spiral out of control, so it was really fortuitous that i laced up those old sneakers one afternoon and decided to run to the bridge and back.
My very first run was 11-May-2010. It was 3.59km and I completted it in just over 21 mins, which I guess wasnt too bad all thing considered. I do know that i was absolutely buggered at the end of it. I was running in a pair of old sneakers, that I usually wore to mow the lawns in.
Perhapes the next step seperates me a little from many others. Over the next few days I immersed myself in internet research about running. I watched youtube, i read blogs, i read articles at runners world. What that did was fuel my interest. To make sure that i would keep at the running and not stop after a few days. I told my kids that i would run the Local 5k City Run. The next day I discovered it was only 2 1/2 weeks away.
The next two weeks i started training every second day. I ran the same route each time, pushing the pace as much as i could, or at least trying to get to the point where i could run at a consistent pace the whole way without slowing down too much. I knew if i could run that far in training then Id be able to do the 5k on race day... maybe not walk the day after but id do it come hell or high water. Over the course of those two weeks my knees got progresively more and more sore, my legs were still stiff every day. I was really starting to struggle.
Then i made a big mistake, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I decided that my sneakers were a bit too grotty for the city run and put them through the washing machine.... which was wrong. DO NOT WASH SHOES in the washing machine, they shrink. I tried running in them but it was no good. I was faced with a big dilemma, no shoes and a 5k in 3 days. So over lunch the next day, I walked to a local running shoe shop. They put me on the treadmill, did a foot scan, the whole enchilada. The Sales clerk then offered several pairs of shoes the 'suited me'. A pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 were the most comfortable and what i came away with.
No sooner was i home that night, and i was out for a run. the knee soreness during the run was gone...although the stiffness and ache afterwards was still there. From my research i knew to take a rest day the day before the race...well i needed too regardless to be able to run without stiff legs. The 5k race rolled around and i started off conservatively and increased the pace throughout, finshing in a time of 25:47 Breaking the 26min mark that i thought i wouldnt be able to reach. I was over the moon with my result, it must have been the shoes....speaking of shoes, If i hadnt just bought new running shoes i may well have let the running slip at that point, but now i had these shoes, I couldnt justify spending that amount of money on running shoes and then not running in them.
In the weeks that followed My legs finally adjusted to the new regime. the soreness during running was long gone, and the stiffness afterwards was also becoming a thing of the past, Id increased my run from just to the bridge and back to be around the top half of a local lake...a 5.5k course. The next change was to switch to running in the mornings, it meant id have more family time in the evenings, and had the added benifit of avoiding the small flies and insects that frequent the lake shoreline.
Once i was able to run comfortably for 40 mins i started to add in a little extra distance once a week... I was starting to think about running a 10k race. First it was 7km, then 8.5km... then 11km... then 15km.
I started to enjoy the running, it was no longer a chore to get up early and run, i actually wanted to do it. I was feeling good about myself, i was able to go out and run for a whole 10k or further. I was now able to consider myself a Jogger. It was during this time that i started to have my first 'Forrest Gump Moments', running around the local lake, with mist rising off the water and the sun coming up over the horizon.... magic, and i only got to see that because i was now a jogger.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Vienna City Marathon
I woke on race day just after 5:30 am, I dressed quickly put my shoes on and crept out of the hostel room. The day id been building for over the last 3-4 months was finally here. I started it with a very gentle 15 min jog, across the hostel grounds and along the road. It was light but the sun hadnt risen yet, cool but not cold. Those 15 mins alone doing what ive come to love over the past year was the best possible way this day.
After getting back i showered, lubed up with body glide, checked my gear bag had everything packed in it again (incase the fairies or aliens had decided to abduct something overnight) finally got dressed and headed down to the kitchen. The Hostel reception had said they would open early for us runners, but the kitchen staff wernt there. I decided to be daring and just take a couple of slices of bread from the top loaf of the bread delivery that was sitting outside the prep kitchen. Filled with Banana and walnut pieces they were breakfast.
I realised that id missed the first bus heading from the hostel to the train station, but wasnt too worried as about half the guys from my running group were still in the hostel. The next bus would be in half an hour at 7:15, which meant that i could take my time sit down and drink a cup of coffee with the protein bar that id planned to eat on the bus. It was the first coffee in 2 weeks, and it was good. Only one other runner from my group staying at the hostel was ready for the 7:15 bus So we headed up to the stop together. Everyone made it on time in the end, but i didnt want to test my luck.
We arrived at the start line and immediately headed for the toilet. A quick pitstop for the two lads, and then we made our way towards the drop off for the gear bags. Id brought an old jumper with me, but i also had a big plastic rubbish bag that id 'Tailored' into a disposable jacket. When i got undressed i realised that it was already quite a bit warmer than earlier that morning, that id not really need the jumper so it stayed in the gear bag to warm me some other time. I had my gels, my nipple plasters, and a drink in a little plastic bag. I slipped into my trashbag jacket handed over my gear bag and headed for the meeting point.
It was now about 45 mins to the start, I opened up my drink and started sipping it, it was a caffinated red bull style drink, I chose it because of the increassed caffine, the sugars wouldnt hurt either. Another toilet break on the way back to the starting blocks would i thought tide me over. There was a little bit of confusion about the starting blocks, I was expecting something like in Cologne, where each block is cordoned off and starts seperately. In Vienna it wasnt so strict. My coleague and i made our way right up the very start of our starting block it was still only lightly filled.
20 mins to go, my pulse is 68bpm, Im going trough my race plan, shaking out my legs and arms, loosening up my neck and shoulders. sipping my drink and thinking this is it.... Im ready. Im in the yellow block, the corral in front of us is the fastest non-elite block. Half of them are running short loops to warm up, while we all stand and watch...its then i realise that maybe i could go to the toilet again. I didnt wait to think for long the corral was still pretty loosely packed and i could get out and back in from the front, so i headed to the toilet, again... sometimes its good to be a guy, there was once again no queue at the mens open air urinals.
Back in the corral its a few minutes to go the race announcers go through the list of countries represented, I wonder just how many of my fellow kiwis actually made it to the start line. Then its the Austrian national anthem... some final warning that anyone starting with the elites that doesnt belong there will be disqualified...and then, the marshals remove the barriers between our corral and the one in front... i look at my companion, and join the rest of the people moving foward to join up at the back of the group in front. 2 minutes to go to the start, i rip of my trash bag jacket, stuff a tissue under the band of my garmin just incase, and fling the rolled up plastic out of the corral. The gun goes off and the elites are away, although it wasnt really a gun rather an air horn... 2 minutes later and the horn sounds again,nothing happens for the first 30 seconds then finally we start moving. almost immediately into a jog. There is the usual jostling, but nothing too bad, a bit of space opens up around us and then with almost a continuos peep tone were over the start mat.
Start at 09:01:46 and im #1806 to cross.
The start is up and over a bridge, by the time i reach to top the road in front and behind is just a mass of people. Even before we reached a Km in though i had space to be able to run at my race pace, It was quite a bit faster than my companion, so i said my goodbyes, wished him well and focused on taking it easy, sticking to my pace, and enjoying the start... down the other side of the bridge and i had my first little worrying moment. the course split in two with the runners on our side of the road running around one side of an overpass and the others around the other... I was worried for a second then i figured, no i started in the right block, and this was the course...just run with the crowd. Around the corner the two lanes finally merged.
I heeded the warnings about not getting carried away at the start im trying to stick to my pace but concious that im going a few seconds under it. The Garmin reports a bpm bellow what Ive been running my Aerobic workouts at, and it feels easy. I chat with a couple of the runners around me, were all wishing each other luck. According to the ticker I lost 95 places in the first 5km, but i figure that just shows that i was being successfull in constraining my enthusiasim at the start. I took my first gel as i passed the sign saying 100m until the 5k drinks station, ran through the first 100m or so and then grabbed a water and drank it quickly at a walk before running again.
Km 5 = 24:35 #1901 (+95)
The next 5 km follow pretty much the same, Its still nice and cool the course is mostly flat and ive started to run the blue line...although i must say i was a little dissapointed that i had to imagine it since there wasnt actually a blue line laid down. Being tall is helping as i can pick out the apex ahead and run to it. very few of the runners around me seem to be doing the same. my pulse has now settled in just over my Aerobic training level. Im taking on a few sips of water at each drink station. The ticker shows i pick up a few places.
Km 10 = 49:16 #1856 (-45), Last 5k @ 24:41
Shortly after Km 10 I was on the look out for our supporters, I was expecting them around Km 11, I thought id run past them when i finally saw them at 11.5, it was a welcome boost, because from there on the course slowly climbs as it heads out towards Schloss Schonenbruin. Its not really noticable when your running it but the garmins pretty clear that the pace dropped off a few seconds per Km. I paid particular attention to see both important landmarks at the turn...the Schloss and the BP Petrol Station...(my companions said the previous time they ran Vienna all they saw was the BP) It was about this time that my bladder started to let me know that maybe id like to go to the toilet again... I ignored it figuring that it was still in start nerves mode and not really with the marathon program yet. coming into the 15K drink station i took my second gel, chased it with a good cup of water... and crossed the ticker. Id picked up a few more places and was back to where id started from.
Km 15 = 1:13:35 #1801 (-55), Last 5k @ 24:19
If getting out to the schloss was uphill then coming back to the Halfway point was down hill. It was also back in building lined streets so offered plenty of shade, The road side support was also picking up for the half marathoners amoungst us.. I was feeling really good, and was really enjoying myself. I let the pace creep up a few times on this section, I also started to grin quite a bit. I noticed that i was passing quite a few people although there was allways the odd person that thundered past me, most of which i assumed were ramping up the end of their halfs. I did quite a few high fives with kids watching the race. I tried to interact with the crowds as much as possible...heck i even gave the cheerleader squad a round of applause as i ran past.... It was a city marathon and i was really enjoying myself. The ticker shows i picked up over 170 places in that section, I assume that includes people that decided to cut their marathon short and just run the half. In Vienna you can decide to stop at half way and run in with the half marathoners and youll get an official finishing time for the HM. Personally i think its a great idea, and clearly plenty of people decide to take up the option.
Following the action and hurly burly of the final few Km's of the Half the next part of the Marathon was a little dull, there were very few supporters, and by now the sun was getting up pretty high and the road was more often than not in full sun. I was however able to run at a pretty consistent pace, I was feeling better and better, stronger and stroonger as the race went on... I started noticing that quite a few of the guys around me(there wernt to many women) were really starting to sweat, the breathing was getting laboured, the footfalls heavier. The heat of the day was really kicking in. I was making sure that i was taking a sip at every drink station, at the main ones at multiples of 5 i was taking a full cup. The bladder was still telling me i needed to go for a pee... i was still saying nonsense. I took my 3rd gel just before the drink station at Km 25... My routine was to take the satchel out of the zip pocket at the back of my pants at 1km to go...id hold it in my hand untill i saw the 100m to go, then id tear off the top, sqeeze it out, swallow the gel and dispose of the sachet before chasing it with a full cup of water taken while walking, It worked really well. I was just worried id be needing a toilet break sooner or later. The ticker shows i picked up a few places in this section but not many.
Km 25 = 2:01:56 #1589 (-36)
Km 26 & 27 were a bit down pace wise, Im not sure why, i think perhapes the course had a few little rises. and the sun was also working its magic, Then we got to the part of the course where the runners come back at you. I was too late to see the leading elites but i did get to see some pretty good african men and women, as well as the odd european. They sure do make it look easy... maybe the inspired me a little, maybe it was getting out of some of the sun but either way i was able to return back to my previous pace. I was still feeling really good. I could tell that i was doing better than many of the guys around me. The numbers of runners coming in the opposite direction slowly started to increase. Shortly before the 30k mark we arrive back in the prater park. The ticker shows that i picked up almost 100 places in this section.
Km 30 = 2:26:34 #1494 (-95), Last 5k @ 24:38
The next section is an out and back the whole way you have runners returning in the opposite direction and you cant really see where they are coming from...the road just dissapears into the distance. I imagine that this is particularly hard if your really starting to feel tired. It took me a while to realise that the music being played over the load speaker system along this section was from pirates of the carribean. I thought it was pretty uplifiting stuff, I was still grinning from ear to ear, still feeling strong and I was approaching decision point. Id chosen a race pace that i knew was not a real stretch for me, Id abandoned that at km15 and pushed along a little bit faster but still within my ability bassed on my HM result at the end of febuary. Id told my training companions that i wanted to run at a controlled pace so that i could enjoy myself, take in the surroundings, ensure that i finished, but that if i was feeling strong with 10k to go i might consider racing the last part. Well i was feeling strong, I had no doubt that id be able to finish. I could just continue to cruise, or i could push a little and find out what thats like. I was already consistently passing people even though i was more or less just maintaining my own pace. Then sometime after km 32 a guy in a blue singlet went past me... the first one i noticed that passed me in a while... he still looked fresh but wasnt going too much faster so i decided to latch onto him. I didnt tuck right up on his shoulder, rather left a gap of a few meters, but i held that gap, and now i was racing. In this section the ticker shows we pulled back almost 200 places. I took my 4th and last gel at the 35k drinkstation.
Km 35 = 2:49:59 #1301 (-193), Last 5k @ 24:33
Now we were back out of the park, The streets were wide, the sun was high and there wasnt a lot of shade. It was difficult, but not terribly so. I was able to stay with Mr Blue singlet the whole time. sometimes he'd pull ahead a little then id reel him back in. Some of the guys we were passing were going backwards fast. I can only imagine how disencouraging it must be to be struggling and have a couple of guys blow past still looking pretty fresh. or at least we were at the start of this section... but that it was a pretty long 5k and towards the end i wasnt feeling quite so fresh anymore. But I also knew that it wasnt too much further anmore...besided my damn bladder was still trying to let me know i should go to the toilet... i figured the faster i go the faster im there...the faster i can take a pee. And then shortly before Km 40 i realised that I was shoulder to shoulder with blue singlet..then i was passed him. I picked up a further 178 places in that section.
Km 40 = 3:13:09 #1123 (-178), Last 5k @ 23:10
I dont actually recall running over the mat at Km 40, It was also the first drinkstop that i passed up the opportunity to take a drink. I was on fire, i was storming home... I was running like greased lightening. I was passing people of the left, passing them on the right. I was...wait just a sec...two guys just blew past me...i look at my watch its got to be around a km to go...I also realise im looking at the highest bpm pulse ive ever seen from myself on it. The crowd lining the streets is starting to thicken up, I see our supporters again... I pick up the pace a little more and try and hold onto those two guys... nothing like a taste of your own medicine huh? but I dont have the legs, they slowly pull away. i check my watch, it says im over 42 km... but i dont see the damn 42km course marker.... i keep running 100m 200m...then finally i see it up ahead... but wheres that damn finish... its no where in sight... then I round a corner and its there... I push on a little more nip quite a few places at the post, A quick punch of the air as i cross and then im trying to stop running.
Finish = 3:22:46 #1044 (M35 #190), 2nd HM in 1:39:18
It takes the legs a good 10 meters to slow me down to a walk... I look around not really sure where to go See a lady handing out the finishers medals... i join the queue, have one put around my neck and then realise i havent stopped the garmin yet...Once i stopped running however my bladder finally summed up the gumption to become considerably more insistant.... the 150m walk to the toilet was undertaken with much the same urgency as the last couple of Km's, it was pretty clear, a good indication that i had hydrated pretty well during the race.
I grab a couple of bottles of water look around to see if i can see anyone, and then notice that goody bags are being handed out a bit further along. I queue up for mine, womble along for a bit more before finding a spot out of the sun and turn my attention to the contents... i cant really recal exactly waht was in it.. a banana an apple, some trail mix, two more bottles of drink, some chocolate thingies, maybe some other stuff too... either way after about 3-4 minutes mine was empty and my jaw was starting to ache a little from the marathon chewing effort id just put it through.
Finshing the Marathon was almost a little bit of a let down, there was no big revelation, no flood of emotions, maybe i was a little bit numb at the time, but even now looking back on the day what stands out for me is the feeling i had as i was running between about km16 and km32. The very real sense of joy that i was doing something that so few ever manage to do, and that i was doing it well. I guess that is what they call a runners high... I enjoy my long runs, i love to be in the zone, but ive never really had a feeling of pure joy so strong that i couldnt stop myself from grining like a poor mans copy of the cheshire cat before.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Reading Roundup
The weekly roundup of what ive been reading, and my thoughts on it.
I did a little reading on salt intake, partly because of my response on dailymile to a friends post about salt loss in sweat. his blog lead me to an article at runners world, and there was a brief mention during an episode of marathon talk that i was listening too. I personally put a pinch of salt into my fluids that i take with when i run, and i use a reasonable amount of salt to season my food, especially after a long run.
Its not reading but ive been listening to the back issues of the podcast MarathonTalk. so far Im up to episode 15, the topics have tied in nicely with my current plans for Vienna as these episodes are about a year old and deal with the the lead up to a spring marathon... the podcasts are very good entertaining mix of news, tips, interviews, and some 'just for fun' segments.
Given its taper time for me at the moment ive also been reading a large number of articles on how to taper, what to expect, and what to avoid. Ive also read several individual accounts of peoples own tapering.
Finally Ive been really wanting to try a pair of merrel Trail Gloves, but no retailer round me has them, theyve been favourable reviewed all over the place. Amozon just started stocking them but not in my size.... one day.
I did a little reading on salt intake, partly because of my response on dailymile to a friends post about salt loss in sweat. his blog lead me to an article at runners world, and there was a brief mention during an episode of marathon talk that i was listening too. I personally put a pinch of salt into my fluids that i take with when i run, and i use a reasonable amount of salt to season my food, especially after a long run.
Its not reading but ive been listening to the back issues of the podcast MarathonTalk. so far Im up to episode 15, the topics have tied in nicely with my current plans for Vienna as these episodes are about a year old and deal with the the lead up to a spring marathon... the podcasts are very good entertaining mix of news, tips, interviews, and some 'just for fun' segments.
Given its taper time for me at the moment ive also been reading a large number of articles on how to taper, what to expect, and what to avoid. Ive also read several individual accounts of peoples own tapering.
Finally Ive been really wanting to try a pair of merrel Trail Gloves, but no retailer round me has them, theyve been favourable reviewed all over the place. Amozon just started stocking them but not in my size.... one day.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Tapering for Vienna
My first Marathon in Vienna is now just under 2 weeks away, which means Im already over a week into my taper, and luckily taper madness hasnt as yet set in.
My weekly millage over the last few weeks has been
5 weeks to race = 145Km/wk (+ 35Km recovery jogging)
4 weeks to race = 120Km/wk (+ 23Km recovery jogging)
3 weeks to race = 81Km/wk
So As you can see in the first week of taper ive really dialed back the millage, reducing back to about 65% of my previous weeks training volume. I dont consider the recovery jogs as part of my training volume. I have cut them out completely, partly to reduce the extra millage and partly because the change to summer time has meant that id have to start them in the dark at the moment anyway.
I am particular proud that i resisted the urge to enter a handy half marathon race that was available in the next village last weekend. I realise that i could have used it as a catered medium-long run, but I wasnt entirely certain that id be able to keep myself in check and really hold back on the pace and avoid 'racing' it.
Ive been finding it quite difficult not to push my training runs too hard now as well, I attribute this to being better rested, than during regular training. I also feel as though my Aerobic condition has also continued to improve from where it was mid march, which means that a lot of my Marathon pace running now see's me running with a heart rate that has been my regular training zone over the last few months.
Ive also noticed in my last run that my legs felt quite sore for the first 5-6 km, Ive also been getting 'phantom pains' during the day, my research tells me that this is all normal, and to be expected during a taper, its a sign that my body is repairing the damage inflicted from the long strenuos period of training that ive got behind me.
My Weight at the start of my taper hit 81Kg, which incedentally was the weight id sort of picked as a desired race weight back in February. I doubt that ill be able to hold that during the taper, especially as from what ive read that as the glycogen reservours fill up your body also starts to store the additional water that will be required during the burning of it.
I do have to admit that Ive also given in to the odd craving, and over indulged a few times. last night it was plum crumble, i had seconds...and then thirds. But otherwise i have been eating fairly regularly, I did increase my protein intake a little and have reduced the overall number of carbs im eating on a daily basis. Im also eating lots of fruit and veg to ensure that im covering my nutrient needs, In the final week the plan is to scale that back as I increase the % of calories from carbs.
My weekly millage over the last few weeks has been
5 weeks to race = 145Km/wk (+ 35Km recovery jogging)
4 weeks to race = 120Km/wk (+ 23Km recovery jogging)
3 weeks to race = 81Km/wk
So As you can see in the first week of taper ive really dialed back the millage, reducing back to about 65% of my previous weeks training volume. I dont consider the recovery jogs as part of my training volume. I have cut them out completely, partly to reduce the extra millage and partly because the change to summer time has meant that id have to start them in the dark at the moment anyway.
I am particular proud that i resisted the urge to enter a handy half marathon race that was available in the next village last weekend. I realise that i could have used it as a catered medium-long run, but I wasnt entirely certain that id be able to keep myself in check and really hold back on the pace and avoid 'racing' it.
Ive been finding it quite difficult not to push my training runs too hard now as well, I attribute this to being better rested, than during regular training. I also feel as though my Aerobic condition has also continued to improve from where it was mid march, which means that a lot of my Marathon pace running now see's me running with a heart rate that has been my regular training zone over the last few months.
Ive also noticed in my last run that my legs felt quite sore for the first 5-6 km, Ive also been getting 'phantom pains' during the day, my research tells me that this is all normal, and to be expected during a taper, its a sign that my body is repairing the damage inflicted from the long strenuos period of training that ive got behind me.
My Weight at the start of my taper hit 81Kg, which incedentally was the weight id sort of picked as a desired race weight back in February. I doubt that ill be able to hold that during the taper, especially as from what ive read that as the glycogen reservours fill up your body also starts to store the additional water that will be required during the burning of it.
I do have to admit that Ive also given in to the odd craving, and over indulged a few times. last night it was plum crumble, i had seconds...and then thirds. But otherwise i have been eating fairly regularly, I did increase my protein intake a little and have reduced the overall number of carbs im eating on a daily basis. Im also eating lots of fruit and veg to ensure that im covering my nutrient needs, In the final week the plan is to scale that back as I increase the % of calories from carbs.
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