Women's training thread - week of 10/26/08

Running about 55 with a goal of 60 mpw for base training off of one run per day. I've found out through injury that more rest is important than two a days. Do any of you take off 2 or so weeks completely from running. I've been reading that elites do this and it helps for the following season. I told myself I would but the fall seems that it's the prettiest and most peaceful season to run in. What are your thoughts?

hi runnergirlupnorth, and welcome to the thread.

i think i'd benefit from taking a couple of weeks off now and then, but only do so when forced to by injury. my goal (and you women can help me hold to it!) is to do better with this next year by really taking a week or even two off after long races. i find this easiest to do in the summer when i can find enjoyment on my bike instead of running in the woods.

i don't know what part of "up north" you live in, or whether you run roads or trails, but around here big game shotgun season runs nov 16-dec 8 this year, which provides another opportunity to stay off the trails, but it's too cold to enjoy cycling during this period, and other pleasant options like hiking don't substitute well (that is, any hunter who might mistake me in a blaze orange vest running wouldn't distinguish me any more clearly from a deer if i were walking instead).

runnergirlupnorth,

I LOVE taking time away from running nearly as much as I like to run. I stuck with the traditional "seasons" long after finishing collegiate competition, but now I take at least a week in December (usually around the holiday, but not always), a week in the summer and a few other "run what I feel like" weeks in between, which are handy on vacations. These weeks, I still run, but if I only feel like going 2 or 3 miles, that's what I do and if I don't feel like running, then I don't.

If I do a marathon, that has its own recovery cycle that might be a week or 10 days or more (or less, but that hasn't happened in a very long time). It is the end of a season in and of itself for me.

If for no other reason than the break from the continuous how far/fast and where to go dilemmas, it's nice to give yourself that "permission" and not guilt out about it and perhaps pay attention to other aspects of your life that get shoved off to the side during serious training.

Of course, racing has slipped down the priority list for me, so I can say it was different when I raced more. But the nice part is that injury is rarely an issue - I do have a few chronic problems that don't respond to time off - and active recovery is increasingly important as well.

One of my wisest coaches (he also helped Bill Reifsnyder and Aaron Ramierez back in the day advocated 2x 2week rest periods in any give 12 months. I would take mine after a marathon typically, or if I were flat in training and not producing decent race times. I do recommend this and still try to practise this.

Well, thanks for the advice! I just ran a 10 mile with a great time and wanted to keep running. I am thinking of taking 4-5 or so days off...since I didn't run a marathon and just need to refresh my legs and hips. Then, time to train for a turkey trot on Thanksgiving. After that, I think I'll take a week off.