Www.Run4prs.com for a free 7 day trial! 103. Ask the coaches podcast
We are doing a different format of podcast today. You may be used to the standard 1 topic podcast where Jason and I chat in depth about 1 topic but today we are asking YOU to bring your questions & we answer them. We talk about a variety of topics. We ask the audience on IG what questions they have and we answer in a podcast forum allowing for a greater discussion of the question than on an IG story. We love to help runners achieve their goals and grow a better understanding for the sport.
1- What is the difference between running a race vs racing a race
There are always ABC races within a season- in a marathon training cycle your A race would be your marathon (the race you care the most about)
B race might be a half or 10k towards the end of the training cycle
A C race might be a 5k-half marathon you do without any cut in mileage and the purpose is not to run to your full potential as much
When we first start running the line between running and racing isn’t as clear but as we gain experience, we become better at learning the difference here
Covering 26.2 miles is an accomplishment in itself
Adding in pace goals
Turning it into a race
2- How much running can you replace with cross training and what is the minimum amount of running you need to do?
Consistency is the most important thing with training.
Aerobic endurance can be built with cross training like biking or swimming. Often Ironman or Half Ironman will come back to running with new found speed. However, it is likely a compilation of a lot of things not just the fact that they added in cross training.
Most of the time, we see runners can still maintain a pretty solid level of fitness running 20-25 miles per week with a ton of cross training.
The longer the distance race you are training for, the harder it can be to replace running with cross training.
It depends a lot on your goals & what you are training for. To reach your potential in the sport of running, you will want to run as much as your body will allow you to.
Many runners can not handle as much mileage when they age or if they are first starting in the sport, in this case, cross training is essential to getting back endurance
3-How do you help athletes manage training that fits their home/work
Athlete centered training is key. Your work and family life obviously should come first. What is your work schedule like then realistically try to figure out when is the best time to run?
I have trained Doctors/Nurses who work overnights or 24 hour shifts. We find that sometimes planning the rest day around that type of schedule is key. As an athlete you also need to be flexible with things and openly communicate your schedule with a coach.
We also want to plan for what can make you the most consistent. It is better to run 4x per week every week then plan for 6 then feel so discouraged that you only do 2 days then fall off the plan completely.
We are not professional athletes so our training should be fun and fit around our life.
4- Is there a such thing as an unattainable goal? Based on time, location, etc.
Yes! You have to know what type of shape you are in going into a race. Just because Jason ran a 15:28 5k as a PR 11 years ago, doesn’t mean that he could do the same thing this year. Looking at the workouts you did within your training cycle should give you a good idea of the fitness you are in.
Also important that just because you ran a certain time for a workout does not mean that you will be able to hit Y goal on race day. You still have to work hard for it.
Many things impact the race performance
Your confidence & mental game
Your racing experience/pacing
Your nutrition
Your body/immune system/HEALTH
Your stress level
The weather
The people around you
