Runningmonkeys

So, here I am in the second week of my brand new training program.  So far I have fulfilled 100% of the running I specified, but that has only been 9 runs.

The program includes a long gradual base phase as per my posts on base training.  I picked a maximum mileage of 105 kilometres per week this season.  By the end of my base phase I will have reached 84 kilometres (80% of max). 

My first 3 weeks are 48 kilometres each and after this I increase the distance by about 9 kilometres every third week.  This means I will be spending a total of 15 weeks in base training.  Some would see this as a long time, but I see it as an investment in my future.  Considering that I am still growing into the Pose Method of Running, I have chosen to take a conservative approach to maximise my preparation while minimizing my chances of injury.

My first weeks are assuming a VDOT value of 53 (which is frustratingly slow at E pace so I am cheating by about 8-9 seconds per kilometre by running faster than I should).  I will ease this up a notch every five weeks if all is well.  If this doesn’t mean much to you, have a look at my review of the Jack Daniel’s Training formula and then click on the link to buy it…you won’t regret it.

So far I am doing my mileage over six even days, with Monday as a rest day.  Later on I’ll include a touch of speed work and reserve a moderately long run for one day a week.  This week I’ve decided to take my shoes off for a short part of my runs (about 1.5klm) and as the weeks go on, I aim to increase this amount.

All in all, I have a long way to go before I reach a peak in February next year.  This will be just in time for the Tokyo Marathon, which I had better get my entry in for.  On the way, I’ll run the Tsukuba Marathon in November as a progress test run.

Apart from this I’ll be bike racing and perhaps I’ll find time to fit in a couple of triathlons. 

My number one priority for this next twelve months is to train carefully but progressively and end up 100% injury free this time next year.

Anyone like to join me?  I’d love to hear what you have in your running diary