How's your training going?

Posted by simon on 12/5/2006 on simon's blog | Groups: Sub-5 Minute Miling

A mighty 25 miles this week!

Is that pathetic, or what?

In my defence, I would have clocked more, but for the snow. I've put the hours in, but today, for instance, I was ploughing through snow at 11 minutes a mile or even slower.

We're just starting the third week of Bobby McGee's 45-week sub-5 minutes miling program. Are we havung fun yet? Oh yes! This training is very different from anything I've done before. And speaking to Kyle, it seems I'm not the only one whose body is enjoying the slower pace.

We've been given a heart rate max which we're not to exceed during some of our runs. And it feels slow. Now, this will also sound a hit pathetic, but dude, running more slowly makes me feel good! I'm actually coming back from runs invigorated rather than exhausted. I'm recovering well between runs and there is no struggle to get out the door because I know I can do the speed I'm "supposed" to be do. Duh! I know, I know, it's blindingly obvious. But I've never done it this way before.

Coming from the hard core British school of "if it doesn't hurt, you're jogging, not training" -- I was then rebuilt as a runner over the last year by training with Gabino Toledo. Huh! If you want to know about suffering, don't ask a Kenyan, ask a Mexican! These guys know how to train hard -- and Gabino taught me, too. However, I did all my quality work off a "base" of around 30 miles or fewer a week. So I had to suffer to make up for the strength I didn't have.

This time round, I'm doing it the sensible way. And it feels great. Not only has Bobby "forced" us to train slower (for now), but he's also scheduled in training twice on some days. I've always aspired to that, but never managed it. Here's another "common sense" idea -- if you want to train twice a day, start with two easy runs. Say 35 minutes each. Simple, eh? Wish I'd thought of it before.

What the short runs do is keep my legs fresh. I can train with a bit of zip, but still get the benefit of increased mileage. I feel like a trainee king of the mile on short runs. Love it!