Important off season training question

Other Running Related Topic

20 years ago 07/11/2003 4:28am EDT

I know that this is a bit of a vague question but your imput is important to me. I am a senior girl in high school. I am a 19:30 3 miler getting ready for xc. My coach wants me to run 40-50 mpw to get ready for this xc season. I like to run only around 5 miles per day (30 mpw)at a medium effort (8 minute pace). My question is- will my 5 miles per day do me any good as far as me improving this xc season or am I wasting my time? I don't really want to do more as I may get tired of running. Should I see improvements off of my current training for this xc season or should I not even bother running this summer and train hard this fall if the results will be the same?

Help please.

20 years ago 07/11/2003 4:33am EDT

re: lkj

lkj wrote:
Should I see improvements off of my current training for this xc season or should I not even bother running this summer and train hard this fall if the results will be the same?

Results will DEFINITELY not be the same. If you don't run all summer, you will just be starting to get into decent shape by the time championships meets roll around. You will "be in shape" while all those who ran all summer will be peaking at their very best. Winners in November are determined in June, July, and August.

20 years ago 07/11/2003 4:58am EDT

re: summer training

don't you get what this sport is all about. it is hard-work for a long period of time. everybody is always looking for the easy way. wake up it does not exist. if you don't want to train hard - quit.

20 years ago 07/11/2003 5:03am EDT

re: noreaster

Thank you.

I guess that is my point. I understand about the importance of off season training. I was just wondering if I am wasting my time just running 5 miles a day as far as improving goes.

20 years ago 07/11/2003 5:09am EDT

re: lkj

any training (running) is better than no running. This isn't saying however that you should not take rest days every now and then so you allow your body to recover and do not get burned out. I say in high school keep it fun casue if you do not you will never run again and running is a life time activity, i mean i plan to run for the rest of my life

20 years ago 07/11/2003 5:56am EDT

re: lkj

running 5 miles/8min pace per day will be better than doing nothing at all and will allow you to go straight into some hard sessions when your season begins. if you have the motivation to do the easy 5, why not add in some strides and drills sessions 2-3 times per week to keep your top end speed and form up to snuff? you don't need to do hammer sessions all summer if you think that would burn you out.

doing 6-10 100 meter strides 2x per week will help a lot for your footspeed and really is not that demanding and will really help you. you should also consider a tempo run where you pick it up for 2-3 miles 1x per week, nothing too fast, but faster than 8/mile. 30/week in HS is enough, IMO.

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Important off season training question

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