running

[warpigeon]

First off I'm not a "real" runner. There's a half marathon I run every year and my time is usually within 10 minutes of 2:15. I have always had to run/walk starting at about mile 10.

Anyway, I'm committed to run nonstop this year and have been training more (the race is in early oct.) As an intermediate goal I ran in a 10k last saturday and did fine (about 60 minutes w/ no walking.)

I've noticed an odd pattern, however. Over the last couple of weeks, including the 10k, I can run longer distances (~6 miles) easier than shorter ones (~3 miles). Here's the timing of these runs...

6 miles- fine

2 days pass...

3 miles- brutal

2 days pass...

6 miles- fine

2 days pass...

3 miles- brutal

2 days pass...

6 miles- fine (this was today)

Have anyone experienced this before? Am I on the right track? Should i keep legging out the brutal short runs because they, in fact, help with the long runs?

 

[BeauJangles]

What is failing on the shorter runs? Is your cardio giving out first or is it your legs? Does the same thing fail first on the longer runs?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Are you running the 3 miles at a faster pace than your 6?

That seems like an "odd" training plan...what are you really accomplishing other than mileage per week? (You're not even increasing mileage unless you just posted one week) You need to get some interval and hill training in there as well.

Look at a few 1/2 marathon training plans online...they'll help you out. A 6-3-6-3-6 doesn't seem like it's going to help much at all.

In regards to your actual question - I don't know why you'd gas out on the 3 miler, unless you're running it at a different pace, or you're psyching yourself out since you know it's a shorter distance, or maybe you just eat like crap the day before your 3 milers.

EDIT - I'm not an elite runner by any means so that's just my take on this. I run a 1/2 marathon within the same timeframe as you do as a FYI

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

You should be running 2-3 shorter, faster (that's all relative, of course) runs, with a longer, slower run once a week. Your long run should be about 1 to 1.5 minutes per mile slower then your "fast" pace. For a 1/2 marathon your short runs only need to be ~4-5 miles long, with your long run distance working up to 12-13 miles long, with your last 12-13 mile run 2 weeks prior to the race, ten start to taper down.

Are you running all your runs at the same speed? That could do it. If you did a 1hr 10K, that's about a 10min/mile pace. So your shorter runs should probably be about that pace or a bit slower. You shouldn't be running any faster then 11min/mile for your long run, and 11:30 would be fine as well. Long runs are to build up leg strength, and getting your body used to running a long time, so you should be running at a slow pace to build up that strength.

Also make sure you are walking a bit after your runs, to loosen everything up are running. I always warm up and cool down with a .2mile walk to keep everything loose.

 

[SWScorch]

First of all, while I'm not really sure why you would feel like that, I would like to say that taking two days off between runs may be pushing it a bit. You'd likely feel better if you ran every other day, as that still gives you a day to recover, without that extra day that just acts as a step backwards. It may just be coincidence that you feel like garbage on the days you run shorter; maybe you're not as hydrated and didn't get enough sleep or any number of factors that may contribute to having a good run.

As mentioned, that is a pretty odd schedule. If that's what you're ok doing, by all means keep it up, but if you would like to train a little better, I would try to set aside one day a week for a "long" run. Start at 6, and try to work up to at least 10 by 2 weeks before the race. If you can run 10 mile nonstop, you will definitely be able to run 13.1 without walking on race day. Since your main goal is to just finish, this day should be your main workout of the week. Just run easy the other days that you run that week, unless yu would also like to try to improve your time as well. Then set aside one other day for "speedwork." I'd recommend a tempo run or a fartlek. A tempo run is a run of 20-40 minutes at a comfortably hard pace; you should feel winded but not exhausted. Make sure you jog easy for at least a mile before and after too. A fartlek is just a run where whenever you feel like it, you run hard, and when you get tired, you jog easier. The Swedes used this extensively, and it just acts as speedwork on your own terms. I tgets you faster without wiping you out too much. Again, warm up for at least a mile running harder and a mile after you finish. Other than that, just make sure you stay hydrated, even on days you don't run, try to stretch a fair amount, and good luck!!!!