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You are here: Home / speed work / Building on my successes

Building on my successes

October 15, 2013 by MCM Mama 6 Comments

So, if you had told me on Sunday before the race started, that I was capable of 8.5 sub-10 minute miles, I would have said you were crazy.  I’ve been really struggling lately with my speed and feel like I’m just getting slower and slower.  I’ve also had issues with pain in my right ankle in various places with nearly every run.

What I learned this weekend:

  • I can run at comfortably hard pace for a lot longer than I realized
  • Comfortably hard is faster than I thought it would be
  • Running faster with a higher cadence hurts me less (don’t get me wrong, I’m hella sore today, but their was no pain in my ankle.  Not during. Not after.  WTH?)

This is my favorite time of year for running.  The weather is cooler, but not yet cold (I don’t mind cold, though).  It’s usually sunny.  My allergies are minimal.  I can run any time of day and still be comfortable.

I need to start back to back runs again to train for my back to back Richmond Half and Potomac River Half.

Here’s my plan:

3-4 runs per week

  • 1 long run
  • 1 mid-length but faster run the day after the long run
  • 1-2 short runs with speedwork mixed in.

While I’d love to explore MAF training and high mileage training, that doesn’t seem to be what hurts me.  Apparently it’s the way I “plod” along when I’m going slower.   So, to get through the remainder of 2013, I’m going with lower mileage, higher speed.  Hopefully I can then hang onto some of that speed (or at least that cadence) when I start upping my mileage in 2014 for the Riverboat Series.

Tell me about your experiences training faster.  Do you find that you have a different stride when you run slower?  Or am I the only weirdo who injures themselves when they slow down?

Anyone got a Kindle copy of Run Less, Run Faster that they’d be willing to lend?

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Comments

  1. Kim @ (Just) Trying says

    October 15, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Methinks a long run followed by a mid-length run the day after is already starting to plan for the Riverboat!
    Kim @ (Just) Trying recently posted…ING Hartford Half Marathon, Connecticut, Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    My stride is much longer when I run harder/faster.
    Kim recently posted…Thank You, Thank You!!My Profile

    Reply
  3. Char says

    October 15, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    My stride shortens when I run faster – my legs just turn over quicker.
    Char recently posted…When Failure Feels Like VictoryMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Johann says

    October 16, 2013 at 5:01 am

    I find that I can run quite fast even if I never train for speed but do my distance training regularly. The base fitness can take you fast through shorter runs. My stride stay fairly even and is just a little longer when I speed up. BUT…I’m a real slow coach always! 🙂
    Johann recently posted…Summer RunningMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Miz says

    October 16, 2013 at 7:28 am

    my sister is a marathon runner and that is PRECISELY what she’d say to me when I would suggest we run together:
    I GET HURT WHEN I TRY AND RUN SLOW WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
    Miz recently posted…Jump rope time (*no* pinnable workout inside!).My Profile

    Reply
  6. Suzanne says

    October 16, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Congrats on running faster than you thought for longer than you thought. I love runs like that!
    Suzanne recently posted…It’s Gym TimeMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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