Monday, January 09, 2006

Gotta hold back

Marathon training for novices week 1 consists of 3 3-mile runs, 1 6-mile run, 1 day of cross-training and 2 rest days. I have been running 5 days a week, with my long run being about 6 miles and my other runs ranging from 3 to 5 miles. So, my first week of marathon training seems pretty lax. I am tempted to run more than the schedule calls for, but I am forcing myself to hold back. I don't want to burn myself out. I am in the middle of reading Hal Higdon's Marathon -- The Ultimate Training Guide, and he keeps emphasizing the importance of NOT overtraining, particularly for your first marathon. Your goal should be simply to finish, and not finish fast. Then again, would I rather run a marathon in 4 hours or 5?? Seems to me that there are some benefits to running faster :) But since I have never attempted to run 42 km before (in one shot, I mean), I guess it is better to run smart and avoid injury!

So, 3.25 miles on the treadmill today. The extra 0.25 miles was cool down...I swear!

3 comments:

Cliff said...

Holding back is good. Good for injury prevention and slowly getting your body get tino training.

I want to go all out on my trainings too but I am still in prep stage for two more weeks.

Another reason to take it slow is to get your body use to burning fat. The goal is to keep (or burn as less) carb as possible during your first 30 km. You want to make sure u have something in the tank at the end. :)

anners said...

Thanks Cliff...good advice. I have a lot of fat to burn anyways ;)

G said...

xfbxj

sorry, cant make a sentence out of that.

I need to start running again.