We are all familiar with the phase “base building". But what does it actually mean to build a training base - and how do you effectively build one? To build an effective training base, it's important to think broad and multifaceted, not just easy running. Steve Magness argues in The Science of Running, “The multifaceted base means that instead of creating a base of just aerobic running, we are establishing a metabolic, neuromuscular, and structural foundation.” Unless you are an ...
Weekly Workouts: Covid-19
Last week was a rough week. My runs started out strong, but by the end, a 30-minute walk felt tiring. Ryan learned on Monday that a coworker tested positive for Covid. He had been showing symptoms of a sinus infection for a couple days. Initially, we thought nothing of it because he often gets sinus infections. He started working from home and went to get tested on Tuesday. His test results returned positive on Wednesday. I developed a minor sore throat on Monday, which felt more ...
How to Find a New Model of Running Shoes
Runners tend to be creatures of habit, particularly with running shoes. We find a pair and develop a minor (or major) obsession with them. We stockpile them, replace them blindly, and only wear them. However, you do not benefit from lifelong loyalty to a shoe. Instead, you want to find a new model of running shoes whenever your needs change, a shoe evolves beyond your needs, or to simply have another shoe in your rotation. Why Try a New Model of Running Shoes? Over time, your feet ...
Weekly Workouts: Keep Building
Last week's workouts continued to build up fitness. I ran 45 miles and hit my longest run in three years! In exciting news, I have a half marathon on the calendar! Our local race company has been hosting socially-distanced races since May and announced a fall marathon/half marathon in November. The race is open for local runners and features special protocols, including staggered starts, registration limits, no-contact bib pick-up, and other social distance rules. Absolutely no ...
Faster Workouts are Not Better Workouts
A common fallacy in running is that more is always better. Runners tend to think that more miles are better, even when too much mileage can lead to injury. They perceive faster splits as automatically better. However, faster workouts are not better workouts. Running too fast on your quality sessions can lead to injury, stagnation, and mental burn-out. Workouts are not time trials. Yes, it can be a huge confidence boost to see a fast split on the track or in a tempo run. There is an ...
Weekly Workouts: Chasing Strava Crowns
I’m a bit obsessed with Strava. On Strava, runners can virtually compete against each other on segments. The fastest man and woman each can claim a crown. On an unstructured faster run a couple months ago, I nabbed second on local segment that was 0.97 miles in length. The crown time was just fast enough where I might have to work for it. Since this was a cutback week, I decided to chase the crown this week. Monday: 2 mile walk Per our usual Monday summer routine, Ryan, my mom, the ...