There is a notion that more isn’t necessarily better,
quality counts too. This applies
differently on different aspects, although I don’t know if this counts to
running, as I have heard and read some discussions taking on each side.
On the left, we have building the base – run as more miles
as you can (responsibly, of course) to build running base and cardio. I won’t mention the “base” distance as it
differs from source to source, and have considerations as to the target race
distance is. I agree to this as in any
distance to run, there is a need to prepare the body, but the cons of this is
time (at least for me where I’m juggling family and work)
On the right, we have the quality of the runs – intervals,
hills, recovery and long runs to improve running efficiency. Again this differs as to the capability of
each runner. This is more applicable for
me where I can maximize the time I have for running by targeting specific goals
in each runs.
My training route is and will always be the same – asphalt
road, two bridges, one slightly upwards climb and down again, sun shine hits
directly 50% of the route, the half is under shades of houses, humidity and
temperature varies (very much over a week).
For the past year-and-a-half, this is where I juggle my long runs and
weekday morning runs.
I still run the route, although not as much as I previously
do – 3 weekday morning 5ks and a long 10k run on weekends. On the previous weeks I just run 1 weekday
morning 5k and a long 15k run on weekends.
But the difference is that I do the weekday morning 5k on either speed
runs, intervals or hills. And the
weekend long run on a relatively faster pace and with some insertions on hill
sprints and intervals. It’s the recovery
weekday runs that I don’t get to do.
With work and number coding getting in the way, it seems
that I will continue to go on this training path, most especially since I feel
an improvement in my runs. Although I do
get these pains in the Achilles and arch sometimes but its part of improving, I
guess.
There’s still a couple of “possible” weekday runs and one
weekend long run before the Milo HM. And
I’m gonna ease up in running those remaining days. I’m planning to hit a conservative 2:10, a
debatable 2:08 or an impossible 2:06 for my first HM. I’m really stoked on this. Hopefully I won’t get that early adrenaline
drop. But I’m pretty sure with the way I’m
doing now, whatever time I get, I’ll be more than ever be hooked in running.