June is here and so is the reality of training season. I’m still trying to decide on my marathon training schedule. Last year, I loosely used a Hal Higdon schedule. I started off the 18-week program feeling quite dedicated to each of the 5 runs/week. But, about 10 weeks before my marathon I suffered from ITBS. I had to take a few weeks completely off from running, after which I came back very slowly.
My training was nowhere I had anticipated it would be, and this, at moments, felt devastating. I went through all the stages of grief, and then I decided my stress was not going to help me succeed in my goal of crossing that finish line. Instead, hard work, determination and patience were the virtues I decided to focus on. If I had to stop to stretch my IT Band every mile along the marathon course, I would.
And, despite my deviance from my original plan, I ran a great race.
So as I am figuring out my plan for 2012, I am keeping in mind the fact that I want to keep my weekly mileage low and incorporate cross-training, as a way to ward off potential injuries.With this in mind, a friend alerted me to check out Run Less Run Faster.
The idea behind this program is to improve race performance with limited running. There are 3 prescribed runs a week (track repeats, tempo, and a long run) and 2-3 cross-training workouts. So far, I am really interested in this program and 99% certain I am going to begin its 16-week schedule soon.
As always, my goal is to run hard and take care of my body.
How do you choose your training program?
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How is this working out so far? I’d love to hear more about it as time rolls on.