Lemme guess... next you'll arrive at the brilliant new idea that your body "doesn't know a mile from a kilometer" it just knows effort over time, the distance measurements are simply human constructs! Amazing insight!!!!!!!!!
The thing is humans DO measure distances and use them as a common point of reference, so tracking your work by kilo or mile, or planning your training that way makes complete sense.
pretty soon you'll stumble on to HR training and we'll get into that can o' worms.
People use the 7 day training time table because there are 7 days in a week, and it's easier to just keep things simple and not overthink things.
I'm ahead of the pack on this one, constantly cycling a 4 day routine with no rest
Upper A
Lower A
Upper B
Lower B
RINSE AND REPEAT
workout day 1-5,>6&7 off>8&9 workout>10&11 off
repeat
Bro Science Bro wrote:
For example, one rest day, one long run, one session of squats and deadlifts?
When these training gospels were devised, most runners had to work, or at least study, so their routines had to be built around a 7 day timetable.
There wasn't much scientific at all about these 7 day plans. I doubt very much there is some biological reason why a human needs one day a week rest from training, rather than say 1 in 10 days.
Apparently we adopted the 7 day week, because the number seven had mystical connotations for the ancient Babylonians, built around the fact that there was (known to them) 7 heavenly bodies in the sky.
So not much scientific basis for assuming that a runner benefits from one day a week rest, or one long run a week.
Most elite runners today can run and train when the hell they like. Speaking personally as a hobby jogger, I can also train and structure my routine as I please, because I work entirely from home. 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?
Maybe because most everyone aren't elite runners and we base our training around our lives, and our lives revolve around the 7 day cycle? Maybe????? And you already answered that question. Not sure why you asked that question. The answer depends on your life and what you can do.
Bro Science Bro wrote:
For example, one rest day, one long run, one session of squats and deadlifts?
When these training gospels were devised, most runners had to work, or at least study, so their routines had to be built around a 7 day timetable.
There wasn't much scientific at all about these 7 day plans. I doubt very much there is some biological reason why a human needs one day a week rest from training, rather than say 1 in 10 days.
Apparently we adopted the 7 day week, because the number seven had mystical connotations for the ancient Babylonians, built around the fact that there was (known to them) 7 heavenly bodies in the sky.
So not much scientific basis for assuming that a runner benefits from one day a week rest, or one long run a week.
Most elite runners today can run and train when the hell they like. Speaking personally as a hobby jogger, I can also train and structure my routine as I please, because I work entirely from home. 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?
BECAUSE I SAID SO.
quickndirty wrote:
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?
I agree. I used to do a 14-day cycle, because many times either myself, or the athletes I coached, had not fully recovered after a hard Friday/ Saturday race schedule to be ready for a Mon/ Tues workout. and fitting a long run on Sunday after a hard 5k + steeple double the day before was ridiculous. ...man, i miss college racing!
As a master runner, I use a 9 day cycle to add recovery. I don't run longer races, so that helps. My long runs are 10 miles or less so it dosen't matter what day of the week they take place.
Because the Beatles didn't create the calendar.
malmo wrote:
Because the Beatles didn't create the calendar.
I'm slipping with age. It took me almost ten seconds to work out that reference.
1 do two cycles. A 122 day cycle and a 243 day cycle
A more interesting question is whether the 7 day week is cross cultural going back into antiquity? Of course the Judaeo-Christian tradition has its reasons for a 7 day week. But does the 7 day week predate the Hebrew Torah? And if so, did it exist in multiple ancient societies.
I've google searched for scholarly sources to this question, but have been unable to find any satisfying answers. If anyone has links to reputable articles dealing with this question, that would be appreciated.
As far as 7 day training cycle, do whatever works for you.
Do you mean every 4th day is a workout for you or every 5th day?
I do tri weekly and love it. I run 2 big weeks and 1 small week with lots of rest. Typically run 18 days straight then take 3 days off
Really out bodies are on a 24 hour cycle and not a seven day. So in regards to running do it as fast or as long as it will take you to recover. With specifity of what your training for. It could six long run days a week or two. It could be two long runs a week and four faster run. Whatever your body responds to and recovers from is what matters.
I thought most programs were structured around 14 day cycles, no?
rapo wrote:
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.
+++
Didn't Lindgren have an 8 hour "cycle"?
My coworker has a two day regular training circle.
Once in the spring and once in the fall...
I work on a 4 year cycle.
Am I living in the twilight zone? The Boston Marathon weather was terrible!
Is there a rule against attaching a helium balloon to yourself while running a road race?
How rare is it to run a sub 5 minute mile AND bench press 225?
Move over Mark Coogan, Rojo and John Kellogg share their 3 favorite mile workouts
Mark Coogan says that if you could only do 3 workouts as a 1500m runner you should do these
Matt Choi was drinking beer halfway through the Boston Marathon