Hi Tramps, nice artical. I read those things with great admiration for folks who are able to work that hard especially as they age. I have to remind myself that it took a number of years for most runners to be really good at it, and certainly natural ability comes into play there too. Right now and in the forseable future I have to severly limit my hard workouts or I lose my milage and looking at what happend this last winter watching my pace and distance drop for a givin heartrate made it clear that what I was doing wasn't working. I believe, though there is no proof, that when I am able to maintain consistant decent weekly milage that eventually I will be able to work harder during some of my runs. So what do I do in the interim? I suppose I will just keep cranking out the miles and continue to admire those who have put all those miles in the bank.

Larry

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"If you see a man running up a mountain trail in Montana with a fly pole attached to his back, you are probably lost. LDD

Thanks Tramps,
I started thinking about this when my Triathlete friend ran a nice first marathon with much lower mileage than I would have recoemmended. But he did lots of other workouts like biking, swimming and weights and got quite fit and his endurance was good. Most of his running was low HR stuff. 12 min pace but he had some good MP 16 milers. He targeted 3:45 and hit 3:45.

Since I went the high milage roue and kept PRing and kept getting injured, I've now been in re-hab for 3 months. But all the water running, swimming, elliptical and spinning have kept endurance up nicely.

Some interesting discussion here. Some random thoughts ...

As a latecomer to distance running, I began running 3-4 days a week 4 years ago, averaging about 30-35 miles per week at peak for my first marathon. During the first 3 years, I stuck to the same basic program (running with a group) but showed very little progress relative to marathon finishning time - always in the 4:15 - 4:30 range for 5 marathons. We did long runs, hills, track work, but in hindsight I don't think it was very 'controlled' relative to "pacing" that was right for me. I also came to the conclusion that my mileage was too low to achieve the results I would like. (I admit that I was still having a blast!)

During the last year, I decided to up my mileage somewhat to see what impact it would have on my finishing time. I progressed slowly to average 45 mpw at peak which translated to an improvement of 15 mins in my last 2 marathons. It could have been greater ...I just didn't run a very smart marathon this spring despite a PR. I'm sure there were other factors involved, but mileage in my mind was the key one to improving my time.

However, I still think my mileage is too low and that my running is at the wrong paces. My plan for my fall marathon is to average 55 mpw at peak. However, 80-90% of these miles will be 'slow' at a Daniels defined VDOT pace of 10:10. This is much slower than most of my earlier long/easy runs. At the same time, I will be doing more 'controlled' speed work than I've done in the past, min 2X per week involving MP (8:47) and LT pace(8:12) - again, Daniels suggested paces. I've also been able to increase my running days to 5 from 4 and following the hard/easy rule, seem to be recovering quite well with 2 days rest. I will be interested to see what the output of all this translates to on race day.

Maybe because I only started 4 years ago (at 53) that I can still get faster before getting slower (or maybe again I've already peaked). To me, it's certainly worth a shot to see if I can get faster first. My primary goal is always to get to the start line uninjured and continue to enjoy the journey and my running buddies.

One last thing ...there really are 3 stages in life - youth, middle age and ....'gee you're looking good today!'
PJ

http://This message has been edited by Canfit (edited Jun-28-2007).

I stick to the tww9094 plan....run.......... everyday....because...well....I like to run everyday....a nice little byproduct is not missing any days since 05/02/02 and only 26 total days since I turned 30....17 years ago next month....I have a ways to go before I break my best streak of 3,155 consecutive days without missing.....only at 1,881 consecutive days at the moment....I run 11.3 miles a day at about a 7:54 average pace and still solo 26.2 from time to time...last one a 3:27:12 in April....a BQ time for my age....we all slow....I may never sub3 again like I have 8 times but who cares....I could still manage around a 3:05-3:10. Running is the journey...racing is just icing on the cake....I am not looking for a way to run less....if anything I may be looking for a way to run more. I think that article might have applied to others. I have never had a running related injury since starting in 1980....I have heard of shin splints....they sound painful.....I run 80 miles a week....should end the year at about 4,100 give or take a few miles....have only gone under 3,000 miles twice since 1990....2001 (2,746.0) and 2002 (2,537.9).....I understand I am not the norm....but there are others out there that put in very high mileage at very good paces year in and year out....and love it...even the miles that hurt. I plant solo 50K and then step up to 35 miles and of course 50 milers.....doubt I will do any 100 milers....I do not like to walk....my attitude is of course quantity and you can still do quality also.
Week=81.3
MTD=325.7
YTD=2,027.0
LTD=66,183.4


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http://This message has been edited by tww9094 (edited Jun-28-2007).

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tww9094:
I stick to the tww9094 plan....run.......... everyday....because...well....I like to run everyday<HR>

That's quite a achievement and you are very unique. You obviously have a great passion for running. Continued good luck with your "streak"!

I'm constantly amazed at the wide range of individual running talent and abilities of those posting on this CR thread. The really good thing is that I've learned so much from both experienced and less experienced runners alike. Everyone has some unique 'wisdom' to offer.

tww9094 - post often and share a little of what you've learned over the years. I'm sure you have some gems!
PJ