Workouts for this week:
- Monday 1/23/12 - Wide Progression Run on TM or Outside (NO TRACK - it's icy!)
- Easy Program - Warm Up, 4 Mile Progression Run, Cool Down
- Hard Program - Warm Up, 6 Mile Progression Run, Cool Down
- Pacing - First mile should be around 90-120 seconds slower than your 5K pace, gradually picking up each mile. Final mile will be within 30 seconds or less of your 5K race pace.
- Accelerate very gradually throughout the entire run at what feels comfortable. The idea is to pick up speed without really being aware of it and to maintain a constant/smooth stride, no sudden acceleration at arbitrary points. Don't check your watch frequently (once every mile or two is fine), if doing on a treadmill cover the speed and add 1/10 or more as you progress.
- Tuesday 1/24/12 - n/a
- Wednesday 1/25/12 -
6:30pm group track workout at Chantilly HS*CANCELLED* - Thursday 1/26/12 - n/a
- Friday 1/27/12 - n/a
- Saturday 1/28/12 - 8:00am at W&OD trail Vienna
- Sunday 1/29/12 - n/a
Happy training,
Holly
Thanks to everyone for the comments and running advice lately. I ran the 4 mile workout on the treadmill today
ReplyDeletePeter, the last mile was rough but I tried your technique of thinking I've definitely felt this way before and got through it... it worked.
Holly/Kelly/George, thanks for the stride advice. The whole time I just focused on my feet, trying my best to mid-strike (or as Holy said, slapping my foot like a horse), and I made it through without the leg pain.
Also, great article in the Feb Runner's World: "My Sweaty Little Secret" (pg 40), describes the feeling I had after running 10 miles, and how my "friends" at work won't go running with me anymore.
See y'all Saturday
Justin, that's very good news. No pain definitely makes a run more tolerable.
ReplyDeleteHey Justin... I think that was George talking about the horse. Saturday was the first time I had heard that, and I remember thinking it was pretty funny. Glad that changing the foot strike helped a bit!
ReplyDeleteNO TRACK WORKOUT TONIGHT...
ReplyDeleteJustin,
ReplyDeleteI've been able to transition to a midfoot/forefoot strike over time. I think as you pick up your speed you'll notice that it forces you forward onto your forefoot. The other thing that really helped me was switching to a shoe with less of a heel. I'm running in the Saucony Kinvara and Mirage, adidas Hagio and Nike Lunar racer and have little trouble maintaining midfoot/forefoot strike in these shoes. If I get a shoe with 8mm or more of a heel difference compared to the forefoot I find it harder to maintain midfoot/forefoot striking. The Brooks "pure" shoes, NB "minimus," and Newtons are others that I've seen people wearing . If you can make the transition you'll notice you'll absorb shock better and feel less beat up after a run. You'll also probably notice your speed improve at a faster rate. Also, run on a slight incline on the treadmill and you should notice that you strike the midfoot/forefoot easier and the calf muscles will get stronger.
Just be aware as you transition away from your heel to mid/forefoot you may notice some calf soreness. That is normal. It is your calves getting stronger and use to the new foot strike and new muscles being used. As usual ice and compression socks can help until your calves adjust.
ReplyDelete