80-90 miles a week is still very whats your pb for 5k?

I used to only run if I could get it in during lunch.  Now that I have switched to training for long runs (HM and M) I have way too many miles to log to get in during lunch.

Tough, yes... I work a full time job, kids, husband who works even more hours than I do, so I have to run the house too!

Well... one day I said that my training was a priority and I made it so. My husband is supportive. That is key. For example this morning he got dressed out of laundry baskets, becuase I had to get in an 11 mile run yesterday and I didn't want to run near the house - it gets boring. then I had a baby shower to get to. OH and he doesn't fold laundry (I won't let him)...

Somethings gotta give, and since I feel so much better running, what gave for me is perfection.  If the floors don't get washed and it means I ran - well so be it.  Laundry's not folded - so be it.  You won't find the cleaver's house here.

The important thing to keep in mind is time not miles. You have to consider Elite's, that is full time runners run btw- 10-13 hours per week. True this does yeild 100+ miles per week but the time spent training is more imporant. If a full time runner can handle 12 hours of running why would a regualr Joe that has a full time job and a family expect more? Furthermore studies have been done that show more than 10 hours of time spent running increases your chance to injury significantly. Another way to look at it is this. Most runners average 180 footsteps per minute regardless of pace. Thats about 10,000 steps per hour of nearly 3x your body weight on impact. So a 6 min miler and a 10 min miler go for an hour run they will both endure the same amount of impact stress. The faster runner will go 10 miles while the slower runner will go 6 miles. Provided the energy level is the same the training effect is similar. So when trying to mimick the elite(as some of us do)consider taking into account the time spent training not miles. After all optimal training is how they got their right?

This is why I like Arthur Lydiards suggestions in his book "running to the top". Although he clearly states in his eariler books that -time is the important factor, his latest book has the actuall guidline. 10 hours of running this year may yeild 50 miles. As you get more conditioned you do more miles in the same time frame(you get faster). I'm not suggesting stopping at 10(as he didn't either)but it's a reasonable goal to aim for for a family/working person.

I think even most single moms can work in 10 hours of running per week(if not than 8 is still good). Most people can find that time by simply droping their time in front of the tube. Consider my situation- I work 70 hours per week, trade the kids off in the parking lot(a 7 yr old and a 6 month old)as my wife works the opposite 70 hours as me(how conveient). Evenings are spent doing house work taking care of kids etc... I simply go to bed when the kids do, wake up at 3:00 AM and run for 1-1.5 hours(weekdays, as my wife comes home), than get to work by 6:00 AM. True you will not find me in front of the tube or at happy hour with the guys but thats my choice. Like rengle said just put that certain time per day aside and you will learn to build it into your schedule. I personally know single moms logging 60 MPW on the treadmill as their kids sleep.

I have met a few people logging 80+ MPW at paces 8 min mile and slower. The ones I have met either were in school(college)with little responsibilty or adults that live lives that revolve around running. Not exactly the balance your looking for.

Good luck

I also break it down by time.  My week usually consists of 3 one hour runs, 1 two hour run, and 1 three hour run.  My schedule is very busy and unpredictable as well so I take the runs as they're given to me.  If I'm scheduled for a one hour run and at the last minute time becomes available, it becomes a three hour run.  Allowing this flexibility will help you fit more into the week.

I also finally realized that to do the training I wanted it had to be my primary hobby. I quit TV, golf, hired out the yardwork, etc. Not for everybody but most people have time if they really break it down. Starting a two hour run at 9:00pm when you're shot from the day sucks but if it's important to you it gets done. For many people it's not that important, which isn't a poor reflection on them, they just have different priorities. Best of luck, hope it all works out!

----

My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">

"Pain is temporary. Regret hurts forever."
[URL=http://www.analytical-training.blogspot.com]

Hired out the yard work? Ha,ha,ha I've been looking for a way to "hire out the kids".

Gregolowe, keep in mind it's how you spend those 10 hours that counts. When running that 10 hours becomes easy you need to apply an addtiional stimulas. Taking one day and pushing the effort is the first step than adding hills etc..Or just pick a few races to train for. The 10 easy hours comes first though! You will improve only so much on that alone. The point is you don't necessarly need MORE just because your mileage doesn't equal some generic sum. If your running 10 hours per week and it equals 45 miles consider adding intensity in those miles for awhile. In time focus on bringing down your average pace per mile for awhile than go back up to the 10 hours. Wala, you have a mileage increase. Training in cycles like this has lead to steady improvments for me and I never had and probably never will have time to run more than 10 hours per week.

I work at least 50 hours per week, from 9am to pretty late in the evening.  I never know when I'll have to stay late (we're talking 9pm or later).  Therefore, I get up and run in the mornings.  Two days a week, I am out the door by 5:30 or 6am, and I get back by 7:30am.  This gives me a chance to do a 10-12 mile run followed by an hour to get ready for work.  Other days, I leave by 6:30am and do either a shorter run or go to the gym to lift weights.  I currently run about 45-50mpw.  My log says I spent 7 hours and 50 minutes running last week (total of 52 miles). 

But then again, I don't have children.  I really don't have much of a life during the week