Why do people PR a lot, when training for a longer race?

Training Advice/Discussion General

Reply New New Thread

Moderation Moderation Information Moderation Information & Rules

Page 2 of 3

1 2 3

Next Last

4 years ago 04/29/2022 4:02pm EDT

re: swrn33

Really appreciate all the posts and maybe we get a few more.

a little background of myself…I was a decent runner back in the day(1500) and never wanted to run the 3000 and up. Although I was forced to run 10k in cross and did quite well and always felts good just after cross when training for the mile ( indoor). Thought 3000 and up was for the distance guys….

Now, I am running long distance just to calm the anxious mind… and feel good…..if I run fast, well great… and if I don’t, so be it…. But I see so many things I used to do, that doesn’t make sense and things I currently do that doesn’t make sense….

so all and all, learning is living ( amongst many other things haha), and if learning helps me run faster so be it….

but I think I’m just so confused about seeing people PR in the 10k during a half build up, or a half in the marathon buildup, I wonder why I would have ever tapered the way I always did just to not hit the goal …..

I mean, what the hell is the taper of a 1500/ mile guy in the USA finals or Olympic finals…. Does the so called taper even exist… for me I would say yea, but after some of the comments I’m not even sure…. I just used to F up my own training….

4 years ago 04/29/2022 4:08pm EDT

re: Haha back again

And just thinking about it, I did run a USA final mile one time although it was soft…. So I’m not totally out of the picture here but I do feel that way!!!

4 years ago 04/29/2022 4:59pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Most people run too little and taper too much. Thus, the answer to the question.

4 years ago 04/29/2022 9:35pm EDT

re: the real deal

Yes, strangely entertaining, in a Andy Kaufman kind of way

4 years ago 04/30/2022 10:26am EDT

re: malmo

Because real scientific research has identified no fitness declines for up to 28 days after beginning a taper. So it's a good idea.

4 years ago 04/30/2022 12:26pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Not sure if this is what you mean by your question, but I usually run PR's at all distances and get in top shape when I'm specifically training for a half or full marathon. Mostly because I stick to a schedule, focus on diet and do my workouts compared to when I'm just running with no purpose (other than I actually do enjoy the actual activity when everything is feeling good).

4 years ago 04/30/2022 1:34pm EDT

re: Milethon

No, what I was trying to say at some point is that I see a lot of people PR in a 12 week half marathon cycle in the 10k let’s say in week 8 when training is high and not even looking for a PR. Then get to the half race at then end of the 12 weeks, taper and not PR.

Same goes for someone doing a marathon 12 week plan and PR in the half let’s again say week 8. Then get to marathon and not do well.

obviously there are lots of people that also PR at the end of the plan after the taper… and lots of people that continue to PR or run well after the 12 week plan….

but I find it interesting how some people hit their PR in the initial build up at the height of their mileage…. And then can’t get there with a proper taper… just intriguing to me…

4 years ago 04/30/2022 2:28pm EDT

re: the real deal

the real deal wrote:
Rojo.bot.2.0 wrote:
The tapper shouldn't hinder it.
People tend to run a P.R., USA when they trane for linger razes because they finally are working on aerobic development. You've gotta let some air in. Previously they spent all that time running to fast and this is the first time they learned to Slow It Down® and actually work on that. I've bean telling people for years that they need to Slow It Down® it is what helped me get to the trials and pace Deena Kastor to an American record which was the highlighter of my carier.
So Slow It Down®
This post needs 10x more upvotes than it currently has.

Yep, I'm finding out that running 9:30-10:00 in volume can pay off in spades already in terms of just pure strength. No, it's not fast, but come workout day I'll be able to run strong and without injury due to this type of easy base.

4 years ago 04/30/2022 2:30pm EDT

re: Raysism

Raysism wrote:
Most people run too little and taper too much. Thus, the answer to the question.

I think the Hansons' 10-day taper may be an interesting goal this training block, as opposed to the 2-3 week tapers everyone else prescribes. That may be what you are referring to.

4 years ago 04/30/2022 2:31pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Did the title of this tread change?

4 years ago 04/30/2022 2:32pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Haha back again wrote:
No, what I was trying to say at some point is that I see a lot of people PR in a 12 week half marathon cycle in the 10k let’s say in week 8 when training is high and not even looking for a PR. Then get to the half race at then end of the 12 weeks, taper and not PR.
Same goes for someone doing a marathon 12 week plan and PR in the half let’s again say week 8. Then get to marathon and not do well.
obviously there are lots of people that also PR at the end of the plan after the taper… and lots of people that continue to PR or run well after the 12 week plan….
but I find it interesting how some people hit their PR in the initial build up at the height of their mileage…. And then can’t get there with a proper taper… just intriguing to me…

I gotcha 100%. I have Emerald City in August 2022 (13.1) and Columbus (26.2) in October. I want to do well and see where I'm at at Em City but if I don't PR it's not a huge deal. Cbus is the real focus. Em City is more of a "where am I at?" checkpoint.

You may have been wanting to reply to my other thread…. Which I have a feeling you did…. Which was about cocaine use and distance running. If that wasn’t what you were looking for then the thread title on this didn’t change but the topic has evolved I think from the original post. But my original post was so random as I didn’t know how to put it, that it’s just gone the way it’s gone…. Ps only saying your were looking for the other post since your name is “way off the grid”…. Which I’m pretty sure where that was haha

4 years ago 04/30/2022 11:50pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Because they are older. (for runners 24 and under)

4 years ago 05/01/2022 9:57am EDT

re: Haha back again

Why do you insert erroneous commas, into, thread titles?

4 years ago 05/01/2022 4:30pm EDT

re: Punctuation

Are you Mrs. Mary my old English teacher? You used to ask me the same thing… some things never change,,,,,,I guess… opps, I done did it again.,

4 years ago 05/01/2022 4:50pm EDT

re: Haha back again

Haha back again wrote:
No, what I was trying to say at some point is that I see a lot of people PR in a 12 week half marathon cycle in the 10k let’s say in week 8 when training is high and not even looking for a PR. Then get to the half race at then end of the 12 weeks, taper and not PR.
Same goes for someone doing a marathon 12 week plan and PR in the half let’s again say week 8. Then get to marathon and not do well.
obviously there are lots of people that also PR at the end of the plan after the taper… and lots of people that continue to PR or run well after the 12 week plan….
but I find it interesting how some people hit their PR in the initial build up at the height of their mileage…. And then can’t get there with a proper taper… just intriguing to me…

Maybe people tend to end up overtraining by the end of a cycle (especially if their “training” includes a PR race) but they are not overtrained at the point in the cycle that they are doing these tune-up races

4 years ago 05/01/2022 11:25pm EDT

re: Hypothesis

Hypothesis wrote:
Haha back again wrote:
No, what I was trying to say at some point is that I see a lot of people PR in a 12 week half marathon cycle in the 10k let’s say in week 8 when training is high and not even looking for a PR. Then get to the half race at then end of the 12 weeks, taper and not PR.
Same goes for someone doing a marathon 12 week plan and PR in the half let’s again say week 8. Then get to marathon and not do well.
obviously there are lots of people that also PR at the end of the plan after the taper… and lots of people that continue to PR or run well after the 12 week plan….
but I find it interesting how some people hit their PR in the initial build up at the height of their mileage…. And then can’t get there with a proper taper… just intriguing to me…
Maybe people tend to end up overtraining by the end of a cycle (especially if their “training” includes a PR race) but they are not overtrained at the point in the cycle that they are doing these tune-up races

I very much agree with this.
Also, psychologically there’s no (or very little) pressure in a race within a cycle because you’ve decided to focus on another race so you’re relaxed and less concerned with the result. I always ran best this way and appreciate pros who perform in big races when the pressure is on.

4 years ago 05/02/2022 12:07am EDT

re: Haha back again

Haha back again wrote:
Ok, so this question, and I’m not even sure how to put it but I’ll try…..
let’s say you do a 12 week half plan, with hopes to having a great half marathon race. Everything goes to plan, you taper two weeks where you almost feel like you aren’t ever running the last week to make sure you are fresh…. Meaning you reduce mileage To the extreme to make sure You PR…..You then PR!
Are you going to be able to PR in the 10k in the coming weeks due to the fitness you’ve built up or will the taper really hinder that?
On the opposite side, I’ve seen people, professionals at that, PR in the half and 10k during a half or marathon buildup.
So, is it better to try and PR in the 10k during a half buildup or a 10k in the aftermath of a half ….
I only ask, because sometimes I see people(including pros) do a 10k plan, racing and focusing so much on the 10k that they get to “race” day and don’t PR…. But during a buildup of the half they PR in the middle of training in the 10k…… this goes with all distances really…. I’ve seen people focus on 10k and PR in the 5k…. Rarely do I see people focus on the the 5k and PR in distance in the 10k….that’s not to say a person races a 5k before trying to PR in the 10k….. but why do you think this is? Because the volumn/aerobic adaptations is more important, or why or even how are we able to PR during high mileage weeks and not able to do it with the plan of it on THE DAY?
Hope it makes sense cause I don’t even know if it makes sense!! Ha

Read the Arthur Lydiard book and it will make since.

4 years ago 05/02/2022 10:08am EDT

re: Haha back again

Page 2 of 3

1 2 3

Next Last

What People Are Talking About On LetsRun

No top threads at the moment. Check back soon.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Real Runners, Real Reviews

Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win a LetsRun t-shirt. Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win one of 10 LetsRun t-shirts.

What shoe are you reviewing?

Rate your shoe

Overall Rating

Appearance

Comfort

Cushioning

Durability

Value

I would buy this shoe again

Yes No

Would you buy this shoe again?

One-line review. Optional. Your written review provides information to readers that numbers can't.

Email Optional. Required for t-shirt drawing.

Real runner reviews • Community-powered rankings

Why do people PR a lot, when training for a longer race?

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Why do people PR a lot, when training for a longer race?

Follow Raysism

Block Raysism

Follow rudedog

Block rudedog

Follow Coloradoclimber

Block Coloradoclimber

Follow Milethon

Block Milethon

Follow jecht

Block jecht

Follow jecht

Block jecht

Follow jecht

Block jecht

Follow round and round

Block round and round

Follow oldoldrunner

Block oldoldrunner

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.

Real Runners, Real Reviews