How do you really know the answer to this? Why blog about something you don't really know the answer too for that matter? Probably just to vent a bit as always! ;-)
So, when you are in a continual training pattern for multiple sports how do you know where the balance lies? When training for a marathon - just a marathon - it's easy - I do 5 days of running and take two days off. Am I ever JUST training for a marathon??? No, never. There is always something else. So, with each additional thing I tack on I just tack on more training, but at some point doing a full marathon training program combined with biking and weights and even swimming gets to be an overload. Not to mention trying to work it all in with a full time job, family commitments and friends!
My current situation - I am training to run the OKC marathon - wanting to break my PR for it - goal is anything under 4 hours! So, I'm doing marathon training plus speedwork. Then, I am training for Adventure races - my first will be 3 weeks after my marathon so I can't wait till the marathon is over to get on a bike. So, I've been doing a 60 minute spinning class two nights a week followed by a core class. This means I've cut my running down to 3-4 days a week. I do speedwork on monday, a long midweek (6-10 miles) and my long runs on Saturdays (10 - 23 miles). Spinning and core is Tuesday and Thursday nights. I've also been doing bootcamp on Tuesday and Thursday mornings - 60 minutes of fast paced cardio/weights/core. Then, two days a week of lifting (which has been my lax area, but where I feel I need to focus more time). I want to add swimming to this, but b/c I just had LASIK I can't get in the pool for another month - blah! And, of course as the weather warms up I want to bike outside as well - which is where these thoughts actually started...
So, last weekend I ran 15 miles as part of the first mileage ramp up for the marathon - after the run I showered then watched the nephews play some basketball then Brady and I headed out for an hour and a half ride on roads. It was good, but I was exhausted. I was struggling to keep up with him (as always though)!! How do you fit in long runs, long rides and all the other necessary conditioning without breaking your body down??? This is a question I will answer - just not today.
I will be doing research, partially the book kind and partially by trial and error! ;-) We shall see which rules. The overall goal being no injuries!!
Hey, I was googling the Sarcoxie to Carthage 25K in March and your blog came up. You are an amazing athlete! I could never do all that you do. I was wondering what your take is on this Race, I'm looking at it for a tune up for a marathon in April.
ReplyDeleteThanks for any info you can give, and keep training!
Hey Mark -
ReplyDeleteSorry, for the delayed response...
Sarcoxie to Carthage is a pretty fun race - a little hilly - mostly on county roads. We ran most of the route this weekend in the cold during our 20 mile training run. The only problem we had was being chased by a few dogs. Support is limited - we make sure we have someone follow us on a bike or car with water just so we don't have to carry. It looks like the weather will be more promising this weekend. They have to course marked in both directions, but with the wind lately I think we might be running from Carthage to Sarcoxie this year. Hope to see you there. Chanti