Good luck at Never Summer! I ran the 60k this past season as part of the mini slam and this year will attempt the 100k as part of the full slam (and my longest run to date). I'm looking forward to seeing the Ruby Jewel side of the course that I didn't get to see in the shorter offering. Don't know if you've run that race before but it's a special one :)
With over 20 years of doing it, I am far removed from any kind of resemblance of "cycle". In fact, with quite an addiction to over-sign up, since the beginning of racing (even short road races), I guess my "cycles" of training were mostly an outline. I always had a weekly rotation of something speed/something hills (intervals) and a double long run, then threw the rest of runs into it as it fit. Even when I had a very full time job, and a part time job, and kids, it was often "twice a day", like run to/from work, and the effort depends on how I felt and the urgency:) The races went under: this one builds to that one, and then towards the other one...all definitely trying to be managed around family joint things planned. While when I coached, I prescribed mesa and mini and the coherent things, being somewhat a "I want it all, and I want it always" allowed me to be flexible for my clients - and for myself. I think that's why, after originally having a traditional marathon coach, and the a (very original) Scott Jurek for 6 months, everything for the following 20 years just latching based on that. I could never imagine someone telling me "You can't do that much" or "You must do this tempo of that many minutes", more of "I feel good, I'll run longer and/or faster" vs some days "Screw 4 by 10, I got out, that's enough". For me, what works, is an outline and a general progression (and an occasional taking mileage down due to family or other commitements). Could I have been better if I was more precise? Probably (back in a day, not now). But, my love for the act of running, pure and simple, didn't get burdened by the pressure of "getting better". After all, it's just running. When I pin the number, it's "Leave it out there". But even with underperforming, it's "Well, shucks, that was bad" and back to running.
I do love me some race browsing though:) and then the week before arrives, and I'm "Who did that stupid thing of signing up?!?"
When I see great posts like this, I start thinking how I can work up to long distances and exciting runs like you share about.
But over the years I've tried so many plans, and always find myself settling back into 5K twice a week, which seems to really work for me. So I think I'm gonna let it go for now.
Awesome post and info.... Iām still a little behind on my reading. Next long run that podcast will keep me company.
Good luck at Never Summer! I ran the 60k this past season as part of the mini slam and this year will attempt the 100k as part of the full slam (and my longest run to date). I'm looking forward to seeing the Ruby Jewel side of the course that I didn't get to see in the shorter offering. Don't know if you've run that race before but it's a special one :)
With over 20 years of doing it, I am far removed from any kind of resemblance of "cycle". In fact, with quite an addiction to over-sign up, since the beginning of racing (even short road races), I guess my "cycles" of training were mostly an outline. I always had a weekly rotation of something speed/something hills (intervals) and a double long run, then threw the rest of runs into it as it fit. Even when I had a very full time job, and a part time job, and kids, it was often "twice a day", like run to/from work, and the effort depends on how I felt and the urgency:) The races went under: this one builds to that one, and then towards the other one...all definitely trying to be managed around family joint things planned. While when I coached, I prescribed mesa and mini and the coherent things, being somewhat a "I want it all, and I want it always" allowed me to be flexible for my clients - and for myself. I think that's why, after originally having a traditional marathon coach, and the a (very original) Scott Jurek for 6 months, everything for the following 20 years just latching based on that. I could never imagine someone telling me "You can't do that much" or "You must do this tempo of that many minutes", more of "I feel good, I'll run longer and/or faster" vs some days "Screw 4 by 10, I got out, that's enough". For me, what works, is an outline and a general progression (and an occasional taking mileage down due to family or other commitements). Could I have been better if I was more precise? Probably (back in a day, not now). But, my love for the act of running, pure and simple, didn't get burdened by the pressure of "getting better". After all, it's just running. When I pin the number, it's "Leave it out there". But even with underperforming, it's "Well, shucks, that was bad" and back to running.
I do love me some race browsing though:) and then the week before arrives, and I'm "Who did that stupid thing of signing up?!?"
Great ideas, thanks!
When I see great posts like this, I start thinking how I can work up to long distances and exciting runs like you share about.
But over the years I've tried so many plans, and always find myself settling back into 5K twice a week, which seems to really work for me. So I think I'm gonna let it go for now.