As I was on the trail I was thinking about some of the comments that were posted (yes, I read every one of them--thank you for the comments!) and some of the information I am reading in Lore of Running. I think I am guilty of trying to do too much too fast, and as a result, setting myself up for a more serious injury.
So I am now slowing down, both literally and figuratively. When I set my original goals I did so with the intention of gradually building my fitness over time. The goals are very realistic and allow for the proper time to build fitness and endurance. But in reality, I've been pushing to get there as quickly as possible. I realize now that this is a mistake. I will continue to follow my training plan, making adjustments based on how I feel each day.
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| River at Northshore Trail |
Bottom line, I am slowing down and will approach my training with more patience.
Are you guilty of overtraining? What symptoms tell you to slow down?
It's tough to take a full rest day, I know I'm guilty of it as well. One thing I realized a few weeks back was that my the pace of my training runs was just too darn fast. I was completely and utterly wiped out after a 6 - 7 mile run, but I was running them at a 10:00 - 10:30 pace. Way too fast for my current level...that should be my race pace.
ReplyDeleteI've since slowed my training pace down to 11:30 or so and I think I'm progressing at a much better rate and I feel great as well. That's one thing you need to check and be conscious of as well.
One of my favorite quotes is by Alan Alda (who stole it from somebody else). He says "in all things moderation; including moderation."
ReplyDeleteI think slowing down is good, at least in your training. Too much, too fast will hurt. Unless you're lucky enough to have an indestructible body, something will get hurt. A year or so ago I had to stop running for a month because of shin splints. Too much, too fast.
Slowing down your speed, eh, that's give and take. If you can handle the speed, then do it. Slowing down will probably just help your brain take a bit of a break from pushing yourself. If you're out there red-lining every training run, then yes, I'd slow down the pace. But if you're running moderately fast, not killing yourself every time, then slower may not provide any benefit beyond making you focus on other things when you run.
On the stretching, I've read conflicting reports on static vs. dynamic stretching. For years the standard was static stretching before and after a run. Now the "experts" say that static stretching before a run may not help and could even hurt a runner. Dynamic stretching before a run on the other hand helps more. Personally, I don't warm-up much, especially for long runs and training runs. I'll warm-up before a race but only if it's a short one. Long races and long training runs give me plenty of time to warm-up along the way.
The key is to find what works for you. You're early enough in this to tinker and play around with different routines. Once you key in on the best routine, then you'll be able to capitalize on it.
You will be a smart man by slowing down. You have plenty of time to make your goals. I have suffered so many times by increasing mileage too quickly.
ReplyDelete"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
ReplyDeleteyep I've done the same as you and am learning from my mistakes. I too have slowed it, lessened the pace and use stretching. It matters not that the run is one continuous thing, stopping to stretch/walk a few yards/mtrs makes no bones, what matters is retaining the enjoyment and fun element and not the competitive thing. I started at 56 years old way too fat on January 2nd this year, I'm 36lbs lighter and toned and dont want to lose that. BTW I'm loving the above quote.
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