Claire and I are running for the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge in January. It is requiring a run on Tuesday's, Wednesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's. Each week our mileage is to go up with Saturday's being the long runs. This training program worked well for Claire and me last fall so we thought we would do it again.The problem is coming in that our time this fall is a little more "spoken for" and the running during the week is getting difficult. As the mileage grows, the commitment becomes bigger and becomes very difficult to complete before or after work.
Claire had mentioned this to a friend at work and she suggested splitting up the runs during the day. For example, if we have to run 6 miles on a Wednesday, we could do 3 during the day and 3 more in the evening, instead of all 6 at once.
I do understand that most of the training is about "getting in the mileage", but splitting up the runs like this does not seem to make much sense.
What do you think? Is it okay to split up the running during the day into smaller chunks or is it important to get the running in all at once?
13 comments:
Hmm, good question. I've never run a marathon before, and can't run at all now, but I would think doing it all at once is better for building stamina. Spliting them up and stuff is fine if you r trying to just lose weight or maintain healthy weight. But I think the staying power would come with running all 6 at once, getting used to it.
It's important for me to continue to sit on my lazy butt and consider your options. As long as whatever you do does NOT involve me running anywhere, I say choose either!!
Hallie :)
What is the mythical "running" thing you are referring to?
I'm not a runner so any advice I give would not be worth the ink to print it. I'm pretty dang impressed with 6 miles - all at once or split up. :)
PS- LOVED your camera-saving story. Sounds like something I'd do.
no. c'mon (grin). BUT you are closer to owning a wii fit - you'll be the first to know once it hits the store here...
That is a good question. I'm in the middle of training too (walking though, not running) for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I'm up to walking 15 miles at a time, and I do find that it's easier to just knock it all out at once, even though it takes a big chunk of time out of the day. I'd say - get up early, knock it out, and enjoy the rest of your day. I know it's easy to say now, but not so easy when the alarm goes off at 5:30am...
I'm not a runner, but I do work out, and when I do, I prefer to get the time in in one chunk. I know some people advocate the whole 'breaking it up into smaller portions' thing, but that idea, and the idea that I'd have to get cleaned up twice, etc., just doesn't work in my schedule.
I do, however, suppose that even breaking up the run means you're still getting your body conditioned and building up the stamina, but that's a guess at best as a non-runner.
All at once - for sure! I don't think I could run 6 miles at once, but I could do 3 twice in a day (I think)...if you're planning on running 13 miles at a stretch, 3 mile runs now and then aren't going to condition you for that...at least that's my thought :)!
p.s. Traning or Training...?
um, yeah, see this is the point where I would say "UNCLE" and sit on the couch with a big bowl of ice cream and forget alllllll about it.
i think you just have to work with your schedules and if smaller runs works then it should be okay and it's still building up your overall mileage.
I haven't done 26.2, but I have down a half marathon. I think the it has to be down all at once. I think that's what builds the endurance, though you do what you can do! You are still doing well. =)
Your mileage does not have to be done all at once, but usually, splitting the mileage in training is better when you're splitting your long runs. For example, when you hit your 20 mile run, doing 10 in the morning and 10 at night will help prevent injury. Of course, you lose some of the value and mental confidence you would have gained doing it all at once especially if you haven't done a marathon before. Splitting your tempo runs might have a different effect - not sure it will be quite as effective, but it's definitely better than only doing half the total mileage because you don't have time. Check out runningworld.com for more informed advice. :)
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