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Pfitz 12-week 55-70 plan

guest — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:34:55 GMT

Greetings--

I'm hoping someone can help me out here...I'm out of town and I don't have my copy of Advanced Marathoning with me. I'm on the second week of the 12-week 55-70 plan and I did the mileage for yesterday but I have no idea what it looks like for the rest of the week, today included. I can't seem to dig it up online anywhere. If somone could be so kind as to provide the second week's info on this plan I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks!

Re: What to eat if running 1st of the day?

guest — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:05:15 GMT

Well...Pre, with respect, you can't pretend that this isn't a debatable issue. Powerbars and the like aren't for everyone. Many people view them as crap, and they may or may not be correct in holding that view. I'm not accusing you of being biased in your argument just because you're being paid by Powerbar to promote their product, but it is a fact that is difficult to overlook. That you tried other products before deciding on Powerbar also doesn't reflect an open-mindedness to this issue either because your whole premise is that these kinds of products are even necessary at all. What's wrong with whole foods? Why is a Powerbar any better than a bowl of polenta for fueling one's muscles? I respect your view and that you hold the belief that these things are necessary for your performance, but I don't think it's fair that you assume this should hold for everyone else. I happen to view them as ancillary marketing tools that are targeted at runners that think they need many more things than they actually do. I'm not against them. I encourage anyone who uses them and likes them to do what they feel is right and good for them, but I don't like to see people being told that they NEED them because the truth is that no one needs them at all--not even to achieve top performance.

Re: Have missed a week?? Where do I pick up?

guest — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:35:37 GMT

Doctor, I would advise you to pick up where you left off, so, if you're supposed to be starting week 5, then start there. If you feel that it's too much, or that the week off really left you behind, then scale it back. I would guess that you'll be fine. Your body will let you know whether you are doing the right thing or not though--make sure you listen to it. The important thing is that you're doing something and that you feel that you are progressing, that you feel like you are pushing yourself and not dragging yourself through your workouts. They should be hard but fun. Just listen to your body and adjust things accordingly.

Good luck!

Re: What to eat if running 1st of the day?

guest — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:59 GMT

Sponsored, eh.....lemme guess...maybe Powerbar?

Re: What to eat if running 1st of the day?

guest — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:08:11 GMT

Just thought I'd offer up my experience with eating and running. One person can't really tell another what's going to work for them because most people experience different things given that we all have different bodies, so hearing what other people find can be somewhat helpful. Knowing that many people do indeed run at varying distances without eating first might be what the original poster needs to hear before she's willing to give it a go for herself and really find out what works best for her. And, in terms of performance, maybe my 20-milers could be a tad faster if I ate something first, but I'd sacrifice that bit of time for what my body learns from making necessary adaptations, i.e. running without ideal fuel, running without ideal hydration, etc. These are things you will probably need to be able to deal with if you race. This is just me though, and only to a certain extent. I'm not insane. I don't deprive myself intentionally, but...I also don't worry about making sure everything's ideal before I take off for my run. The body learns to adapt, and as long as the added stresses aren't ridiculous and aren't too much, you will only become stronger. Again though, that's just what I find. If I eat enough the night before, I can run whatever distance first thing in the morning without eating.

Good luck!

Re: What to eat if running 1st of the day?

guest — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:03:09 GMT

For what it's worth, I never eat anything before a run no matter what the distance, aside from an occasional GU. I just don't find it necessary, not even for runs of 20 miles. It seems to me that what you eat AFTER your run is more important because it doesn't seem that you should ever NEED anything before. GU should pretty much give you whatever you might need in terms of fuel, and then it's up to you to make sure you take in what you need immediately after your run for proper recovery.

Re: Half-Marathon Feedback

guest — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:57:36 GMT

Right on. That makes perfect sense, and it's also kinda what I thought. I have a hard time taking the long view when it comes to running, but I'm also very much drawn to the fact that the more you invest and the longer you invest, for the most part, the more you get out of it. Otherwise, without all the hard work, running long distances relatively fast probably wouldn't feel as rewarding.

Thanks for the feedback!

Re: Half-Marathon Feedback

guest — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:17:55 GMT

Thanks for the feedback, it makes a lot of good sense. I think that in three months, with proper training, I could shave my 10-mile time to a roughly 6:10 pace. Key word here is "think." I don't know that I could because I have so little experience on which to base that assumption. I guess my problem is that I don't really know what my potential is with the right kind of time and training. I started running last June and only averaged around 20-miles/week, a little less in the winter, and then broke my ankle the first week of February, so...I've been inconsistent at best with my training (if you can even call it that). I ran the 10-miler I referenced in my initial question a week ago with only May and the first part of June under my belt--around 40 miles/week.

I guess asking what my potential is is kinda ridiculous--time will tell I suppose. Can someone, realistically, improve by 1:30/mile, given that that person is at the beginning stage of training/running?

Thanks much!

Half-Marathon Advice

guest — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:56:01 GMT

Greetings--

I'm hoping I can get some feedback from some experienced runners on a realistic goal for my first half-marathon. I've been running for just over a year, I'm 34 years old and only have one race under my belt--a 10-miler in which I ran a 1:16. Is it ridiculous to try to run the half in around 1:20? I have 3 months to train. The 10-mile race was relatively easy and I'm sure, in hindsight, I could've pushed harder and shaved minutes off my time; however, due to inexperience I think I held back more than I should've.

Any feedback would be great! Thanks!!

Half-Marathon Advice

guest — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:50:19 GMT

Greetings--

Any feedback would be great! Thanks!!