Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ ...

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68 Replies Last post: Jul 1, 2008 12:34 PM by Raeskates 1 2 3 ... 5 Previous Next

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

May 1, 2008 1:29 PM

Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Seems like there are only a few of us posting on this thread anymore. Hope nobody minds that I start a new thread for May. I just copied this next segment from the last post.

This thread is for people who want to continue on a training program and have some great support. Absolutely anyone can join at any time. Refer to the table for each week's schedule.

Spring Training: Novice
Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Miles
1	Rest	1.5 m run	3 m run	1.5 m run	Rest	30 min walk	3 m run	9
2	Rest	1.5 m run	3 m run	1.5 m run	Rest	35 min walk	3.5 m run	9.5
3	Rest	1.5m run	3 m run	1.5 m run	Rest	40 min walk	3m run	9
4	Rest	2 m run	3 m run	1.5 m run	Rest	30 min walk	4 m run	10.5
5	Rest	2 m run	3 m run	2 m run	Rest	45 min walk	3 m run	10
6	Rest	2 m run	3 m run	2 m run	Rest	30 min walk	4.5m run	11.5
7	Rest	2 m run	3 m run	2 m run	Rest	50 min walk	3 m run	10
8	Rest	2.5 m run	3 m run	2 m run	Rest	30 min walk	5 m run	12.5
9	Rest	2.5 m run	3 m run	2.5 m run	Rest	55 min walk	3 m run	11
10	Rest	2.5 m run	3 m run	2.5 m run	Rest	30 min walk	5.5m run	13.5
11	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	60 min walk	3 m run	12
12	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	30 min walk	6 m run	15

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

1. May 1, 2008 1:33 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

W2D3 ~

Made sure to get in my 3 miles last night! I've been reading a gook by Jeff Galloway where he talks about walking breaks as crutial to keeping your legs tip top during a race/marathon. I know it's only 3 miles, but I did it at 9:30 p.m. last night and I added a few 1 min walks in there. I felt much better at the end of the run. I really want to run for endurance and distance now, not for speed. So I'm just taking at at my own pace (for weekly runs) and building my body up to being used to running longer periods of time.

Today I have my 1.5 miler on tap. I actually am looking forward to my runs these days, not dreading them!

Oh and am heading over to Active.com to sign the whole family up for the May 10th Nike Fun Run. 5K for the adults, and then a 1 miler for the whole family afterwards. Should be fun!

GLBryan

137 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. May 2, 2008 7:50 AM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

I have a question for you spring training peeps. I'm just finishing C25K and trying to decided what to do. Did it feel like you were taking a step backwards with the HHST at first with the shorter runs? That's my only concern with the program as I am already running 3+ miles 3 times per week.

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

3. May 2, 2008 8:47 AM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Hi there! I can see how it would seem like you are taking a step back, but in reality you are really taking a step forward! I was uneasy when I started out at first also. I was all set to start the One Hour Runner. With HHST, the first week you are putting in the same milage as the C25K, so you aren't loosing any ground. What you are gaining that first week is easing your body into running on consecutive days. It's not easy I tell ya! Sure the 1.5 miles isn't very hard, but running three days in a row is. IMO If you read alot about increasing milage...you have to do it slowly. With HHST you are only adding on 1/2 a running mile ever othe week. That's not much, but it's perfect for what all the experts say to safely increase milage.

HTH!

alex246

11 posts since
Dec 30, 2007

4. May 3, 2008 7:32 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

A lot of people have finished HHST, so this thread has quieted down. I started HHST, but wasn't able to finish it. I got injured too many times from trying to run 3 days in a row. Some people have successfully finished the program while others didn't. It depends on your physical ability and if you have any biomechanical issues.

I am no longer doing HHST. I switched to a more demanding program where one exercises 6 days a week, but run only 2-3 days. The other days are swimming or bicycling. Since those exercises don't use the same muscles, I can get into better shape without constantly getting injured like I was doing HHST.

The other choice is OHR (One Hour Runner), which also gets you up to running for an hour or about 6 miles, but you're running only 3 days a week. After my experience with HHST, I think OHR is better for beginners. Try working up to running several days in a row AFTER you can do a 10k. Beginning runners can get injured too easily.

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

5. May 3, 2008 6:59 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Alex, I couldn't agree with you more! This is my second week of running 3 days in a row and my body is hating me. My hips really hurt and my feet do also. I think I'm going to switch to Jeff Galloway's 10K or 1/2 marathon training program. Running only 3 days a week, with cross training, one longer run a week, and then more rest. I think I just need more rest days. So I guess I'm off this thread. ;-(

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

6. May 4, 2008 9:18 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Alrighty then, so I'm going to give HHST a go again. I know, I'm so indecisive! I had a nice 5K last Saturday and then did a long hike the day after, then Week #2 was hard as my knees were killing me...from the hike. That downhill decent really jarrs my knees.

I'm going to forge onto Week #3. I sure wish there were more people doing this with me.

Oh well, that's okay.

GLBryan

137 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

7. May 4, 2008 10:53 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

I'm going to start this week. Just finished 30 minute C25K - about 3.2 miles and will pick up with the 1.5 tomorrow or Tuesday.

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

8. May 5, 2008 1:03 PM

in response to: GLBryan

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Yay GL! I'll be glad to have another person in here with me!

I'm only on Week 3 this week so we're pretty close in milage still! What are you training for? I'm just trying to build my base so I can actually start speedwork later on.

Irish Patty

295 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

9. May 5, 2008 1:32 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Hello JC & GL. I'll still check in from time to time. I keep adjusting my schedule so I'll probably head back to 4 days of running with some gradual increasing in distances and maybe 1 additional day.

This morning I ran 3 miles with the middle one as speed intervals. I stretched then did the stationary bike for 15 minutes.

Have a good day all.

Patty

GLBryan

137 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. May 5, 2008 3:16 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

I'm not sure yet. I guess in the back of my mind I'm thinking I will shoot for a 1/2 marathon but I haven't set a timeframe for it yet. Want to really solidify my base before I go too crazy. I would like for these 30 minute runs to feel easy at some point!

GLBryan

137 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

11. May 5, 2008 8:48 PM

in response to: GLBryan

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

I ran my first 1.5 today. (Actually did 1.6 according to my Ipod just to be safe. It lies to me sometimes.) Felt great! I hope one day soon my 3 miles run will feel like this

jcrule

196 posts since
Jan 9, 2001

12. May 6, 2008 1:05 PM

in response to: GLBryan

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Good for you GL! Doesn't that first 1.5 feel good? Kind of like a break from your regular training!

I am on Week 3, which looks to be more like an easy "recovery" week. So I get to do my 1.5 today! I am looking forward to it. I NEVER thought I'd say that about running before! Now if I could just get my diet to work for me better. I want to see those lbs "melt" off like butter. Isn't that supposed to be what happens when you are a runner? I think my base milage needs to be more like 20-25 mpw before I can see the weight melt off. LOL

GLBryan

137 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

13. May 6, 2008 7:42 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Did the 3 miler tonight. Actually did 30 minutes continuing my C25K theme so I was a snitch over a mile (3.23). Not bad. I only slept 2 hours last night and have had a busy day so I was going to let myself off the hook if I didn't have it but I managed it and am quite pleased.

TeejWI

49 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

14. May 6, 2008 9:35 PM

in response to: jcrule

Re: Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

Well, we'll see what happens. I have a bad habit of pushing myself too hard and needing extra days off. Tried to do HHSTW1 last week and ended up doing the first 1.5 at too fast a pace and I didn't have enough left in the tank to do the 3 miler on Run2. So that ended up getting cut short. Then I took a couple of days off and overdid it again Saturday (felt so **** good after 3mi that I did some interval/fartlek work before cooldown) which led me to taking an extra day off between runs. (net result is I still did 9.5mi over the sunday-saturday period)

I was pretty happy with the repeat of the first 1.5mi tonight - appropriate pace...I'm getting in better shape so the heart stayed a touch slower which helped...felt good when I was done...so we'll see if I can make the 3 tomorrow and the 1.5 on thurs. If not, I'll just go back to ~ 3 runs a week for a while.

Gonna be disappointed if I'm sore thursday monring though - pastabar day at work for lunch and I'll need a run that night to work part of it off.

I've now run consistently for 4 weeks or so. Haven't done that in at least 20 years. At this point I can very comfortably handle 3 * 3mi runs per week if I don't run consecutive days...it's the 3 days in a row on HHST that might keep me from sticking with this particular plan...time will tell.

It will really be nice when my heart pumps enough to stay at a low enough rate while I'm trotting along at a "comfortable" pace - I don't necessarily want to "run fast" on every run...I'm just still at that stage where I have to run slower than my body wants because my heart can't keep up. Tonight was definitely better than some previous runs, however.

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May 1, 2008 1:29 PM

Hal Higdon's Spring Training:Novice ~ May

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