Over the years my training and running has followed a basic pattern of two speed sessions, based around club nights at Blaydon Harriers, probably a race on a Saturday, a long run on Sunday, and steady mileage in between. With slight variances depending upon particular races being aimed for, the time of year, etc. Probably not too dis-similar a training pattern too many other runners.
The problem is that latterly I have found it increasingly difficult to recover from a hard session or a race. Sometimes racing on a Saturday and still not feeling recovered by the Tuesday. This sometimes means skipping the Tuesday speed work or pushing it back to Wednesday, which then affects the next session on Thursday and so on. The problem is also further compounded by the fact that I like to race as often as possible.
In his book The Complete Runner, Bob Glover suggests that `post race recovery of running easy for the same number of days after a race as the number of miles of the event’. To me this seems a bit excessive and I would hazard a guess it is advice ignored by the majority of club runners.
So, although my post-race recovery is generally taking longer, I don’t feel the necessity of such a long recovery period as suggested by Mr Glover. But, clearly some compromise is needed.
My answer is to move from my normal 7 day cycle to a 10 day cycle.
Will it work? – Well only time will tell.
The problem is that latterly I have found it increasingly difficult to recover from a hard session or a race. Sometimes racing on a Saturday and still not feeling recovered by the Tuesday. This sometimes means skipping the Tuesday speed work or pushing it back to Wednesday, which then affects the next session on Thursday and so on. The problem is also further compounded by the fact that I like to race as often as possible.
In his book The Complete Runner, Bob Glover suggests that `post race recovery of running easy for the same number of days after a race as the number of miles of the event’. To me this seems a bit excessive and I would hazard a guess it is advice ignored by the majority of club runners.
So, although my post-race recovery is generally taking longer, I don’t feel the necessity of such a long recovery period as suggested by Mr Glover. But, clearly some compromise is needed.
My answer is to move from my normal 7 day cycle to a 10 day cycle.
Will it work? – Well only time will tell.