Why do we still structure training around a 7 day week?

Bro Science Bro wrote:

So tell me coaching experts - why should I be sticking to 1 long run a week, rather than creating a 10 day timetable, or a 5 day timetable?

Who's "we"? I've never done 1 rest day, 1 long run, or one squat session per week. You should do whatever the hell you want.

Some kind of cycle that repeats itself every 7 days fits into most people's work and racing schedules however, since most races are on the weekend.

It's practical to fit in with a normal working week. But knock yourself out if you want to do something different. Still hard to know whether one routine is better than another...

Get over yourself, you're not special

are you serious??? wrote:

Bro Science Bro wrote:

So tell me coaching experts - why should I be sticking to 1 long run a week, rather than creating a 10 day timetable, or a 5 day timetable?

Who's "we"? I've never done 1 rest day, 1 long run, or one squat session per week. You should do whatever the hell you want.

Some kind of cycle that repeats itself every 7 days fits into most people's work and racing schedules however, since most races are on the weekend.

Fair enough, but most advice I've read online usually does state 1 day a week, and I was just curious as to know whether this was because the body was designed so that 1 day a week rest or whatever was optimal.

Good point about most races being on the weekend.

I remember the Hanson's having a 11 day cycle about 10 years ago. I'm currently doing 14 day cycles (one long run every 14 days) and I know a few who do that

Billy Mills used 10-day weeks in 1964 so he could run "100-mile weeks" - something he needed mentally at the time.

Hanson's have always done a 9 day schedule for the Pros.

Long Run

Recovery

Recovery

Workout

Recovery

Recovery

Workout

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Recovery

Back to the top

Point taken. It is probably best to experiment with the individual's recovery needs at each stage of training and as one gets older. Newly retired in the last year, I've found that a day off after four running days in a row is about right for me for now.

Each fourth day is either a long or faster run.

Because there are seven days in a week.

Here is how my training looks like:

Sun long steady run about 30 kilometres

Mon easy

Tues progression run

Wed track

Thurs fartlek

Fri steady

Sat easy

About 130 to 160 kilometres, all in singles.

Bro Science Bro said: Apparently we adopted the 7 day week, because the number seven had mystical connotations for the ancient Babylonians...

I don't know much about the Babylonians, but I think you'll find the reason we have 7-day weeks is because it says in the bible that the world was made in 6 days and on the 7th day god rested. or something.

I have actually often wondered why it is that there are 7 days in every week, but you only get 6 eggs in a box. what are you supposed to have for breakfast on the 7th day?

rather than creating a 10 day timetable, or a 5 day timetable?

there is no reason, scientific or otherwise, to adhere to a 7-day schedule. Meb Keflizighi trained on a 13-day cycle, and other posters have given other examples. Bruce Fordyce, South African ultra-distance runner and WR at 50 miles, only did one long run every two weeks. he was quoted as saying, "it's not as though your body forgets how to run 10 miles."

I train on a 14-day cycle. you should do whatever works for you.

cheers.

because you haven't done your research (or even connected your brain) before opening this thread

Blitzkrieg BLITZKRIEG wrote:

Because there are seven days in a week.

Well yeah obviously, but his point is there are 14 days in 2 weeks, and 28 days in 4 weeks, which is no different from saying there are 7 days in a week. Can't believe I'm even having to point this out

When I ran competitively it was on a monthly basis.

I'd assume it has to do with the fact that 99.9% of the population aren't professional runners and most of us either go to school M-F or work M-F.

It's not practical to go for a 20 mile long run on a Wednesday evening and most college and high schools race every Friday/Saturday, meaning workouts have to be Monday-Wednesday to allow for proper recovery. For adults, unless you're training on your own, it can be hard enough to coordinate a single workout / long run day, much less have a rotating schedule.

You answered the question in your post---most people live based on a 7 day calendar with work. So weekends (for many people) are the times available to do long runs.

I have seen 10 day schedules that do make a lot more sense for pros (who have other job) and those with tons of flexibility. For running a 10 day schedule will mean a long run on a "work day" which could be challenging.

When I was doing triathlons and had a highly flexible job, I used a 10 day schedule.

I've been asking for years about the details in Paula Radcliffe's eight (yes, 8) day training plan, the one she used when she was a professional, the one that took her to the most amazing WR.

It seems to be a well guarded secret, only hinted at every now and then (not very often). Is she holding on to it to pass it to her kids, or something?

But how many days are in a week?

https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/how-many-days-are-in-a-week-internet-steakheads-go-to-1677492703

IllinoisPhotographer wrote:

I'd assume it has to do with the fact that 99.9% of the population aren't professional runners and most of us either go to school M-F or work M-F.

It's not practical to go for a 20 mile long run on a Wednesday evening and most college and high schools race every Friday/Saturday, meaning workouts have to be Monday-Wednesday to allow for proper recovery. For adults, unless you're training on your own, it can be hard enough to coordinate a single workout / long run day, much less have a rotating schedule.

This is why^

Isn't that obvious?

Five is the magic number wrote:

I've been asking for years about the details in Paula Radcliffe's eight (yes, 8) day training plan, the one she used when she was a professional, the one that took her to the most amazing WR.

It seems to be a well guarded secret, only hinted at every now and then (not very often). Is she holding on to it to pass it to her kids, or something?

Day 8 was the blood transfusion.