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In a few weeks I'm going to work in an isolated region where I will have no opportunities to race, and (almost definitely) nobody to train with for a year. Last time I did this I let my running slide. This time around I'm determined to come back running PBs.
So: Any suggestions for a progressive training programme to keep the motivation up?
I've just built up to 30 mpw over the last 2 months after 3 months off. Current PBs off erratic low milage (<20) training 5k 19:26, 10k 39:37, Marathon 3:29
Was thinking so far of:
Building up milage to about 50
Progressive speed sessions
Working on Lactic threshold
Staying in email contact with current training partners back home.....
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
So: Any suggestions for a progressive training programme to keep the motivation up?
I've just built up to 30 mpw over the last 2 months after 3 months off. Current PBs off erratic low milage (<20) training 5k 19:26, 10k 39:37, Marathon 3:29
Was thinking so far of:
Building up milage to about 50
Progressive speed sessions
Working on Lactic threshold
Staying in email contact with current training partners back home.....
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Comments
Post your goals and intentions on training, and oh yes, we'll watch and see if you slack off.
Barring one real training partner with whom I have run about 5 times, I have always trained alone, and run maybe 7 or 8 races a year, most of those entirely on my own as well (I'm slow). Sometimes training/running can be pretty solitary stuff even in the middle of a city.
Have fun planning. The only suggestion I would make is in the absence of races to prepare for, how about concentrating on one area for improvement for a month or two, then on another, and then taking a recovery period. Maybe once you have a few general goals "to have been achieve at some point during the year of solitary confinement" it might be an idea to play it a little bit by ear.
Thanks for suggestions though. I run a lot on my own as it is, but at least it's in a nice relaxing environment with some peace and quiet. From January the only place I can run will be along the town mainstreet (dirt track), with a rather bemused audience. I can add interest to speed sessions by dodging small children and goats!
I picture you rather like that film where Bette Midler is held hostage in a cellar with only redundant gym equipment to occupy her and she becomes super fit and slender- not that you aren't already you understand.
i'd make sure i still had a long term goal & short term goals on the way there.
in your case the long term goal could be a certain speed or endurance target or a specific race on your return.
short term goals would have to be aiming towards the long term one, but much more self-motivated.
PS where ever are you off to ? !
PPS garmin forerunner has a 'virtual training partner'!
My meagre contribution - improve on your short dstance running / speed (I'm all too aware of how fast you can be!)- I'm sure there must be a football pitch somewhere that you can use to train around rather than heading off into the wilds.
Are you at the club tomorrow to tell more?
Ed M - a town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Better do some research then I suppose.
Can't do long races fast without doing short ones fast.
I live abroad (rural north Iceland) and do nearly all my running solo - there is a running club here, but there is a distinct element of fun lacking from the participants, and they do pretty much the same route every week, so I tend only to meet up with them occasionally (although it is good for me, as they are all very fast).
I manage to motivate myself pretty well in terms of going out running - being in very rural environment it's fascinating to watch the seasons change, and landscape with it. my mielage has definitely increased because I'm a nosy git and it's gret to explore...
To keep my speed up ... a HRM is pretty essential, I usually follow some sort of training programme 'sub 40 minute 10k' or whatever, even if I don't have a race planned. I usually just 'run for fun' for a few weeks after finishing one progreamme, then start the next training programme - I'm working on my swimming a lot as well, which is a nice change from running.
I use the forums for advice and inspiration and (and I hope this doesn't make me sound like a sad stalker) I have picked out a couple of forumites of a similar standard to me, of a similar age and running background (they don't know who they are) and monitor their progress closely, trying to do better than them in training and the rare racing that I do. A sort of one-sided virtual competitiveness. Sad, but it works!
I was really worried tht I would start to slow down if I trained by myself, but the HRM keeps me on my toes, and I was really suprised to get a marthon pb a year after moving here, and having run only two race (both 10ks) during training. There aren't a lot of races here, and many are a day's drive away. It's good to have a race to aim for, even it is months and months away (next race for me could well be FLM!)
Sometimes the weather is a bit rubbish here, but I have a turbo trainer, which helps a lot when I can't get out!
Eeek, rambling now - hope this helps!
Ed M - just figured out what a garmin Forerunner is. I want one!! Or any speed and distance monitor. Cheaper the better, as long as it's accurate. Now you've got me internet shopping rather than finishing my dissertation which is due in 3 days.....