As a runner, I think I'm trying to be something I'm not

bump.

I'm also interested in this. I ran well for myself in High School running the 800 off low milage, higher intensity. I bumped up my milage all throughout college to run the 5K and wound up only running 3 of 12 collegiate seasons becuase I was hurt so often. Now that I've been graduated for a year I'm running a few days a week, but every time I try to up the intensity (run 6 days a week or 7 days a week) I get a minor injury that keeps me out for a few days/week.

I was also thinking that maybe lower milage, higher intensity would be helpful, maybe. Input would be great.

if you bump the mileage up gradually enough, you could have enormous potential at the 1500m.

It doesn't have to be one or the other... keep doing weights & speed drills

28 year old guy wrote:

Maybe I'm going about this all wrong by trying to run 70 mpw with doubles, a long run, tempos, etc. I get caught up in the letsrun.com higher mileage mentality.

Maybe I need to to train more like a 400/800 guy where a 60 minute steady effort is my longest run of the week, and instead of double runs I'm strength training or doing bounding drills. I think I'd be happier, and maybe the reduced volume would be good for me (since I can't seem to balance volume and intensity).

Has anyone ever switched up their training like this? Anyone ever have a revelation where they realized they're not training optimally to their strengths? What were the results?

28yo, this describes a ton of guys I've coached.

I think all of the things you've suggested in the second paragraph that I've quoted are worthwhile.

Long, steady&strong runs can probably be profitably replaced with fartlek, both structured and "true" fartlek.

It sounds like you're more of an all-round athlete than the typical letsrunner. (No offense, folks.) Train *yourself* and not other posters! That probably does mean a greater variety of activity than just running. For instance, though some general aerobic work will probably continue to be important in your overall training, there's nothing that says it has to be all (or even most) from running. Try other kinds of aerobic equipment/activities.

Good luck to you. Please keep up posted on developments!

ftghhtgtg wrote:

if you bump the mileage up gradually enough, you could have enormous potential at the 1500m.

It doesn't have to be one or the other... keep doing weights & speed drills

Yeah, the 1500 potential is exactly why I try to run higher mileage (well, for me 60+ is high). I keep thinking I need to train like a 5k/10k guy in the fall, then do middle distance in the spring.

Don't get me wrong, I think that for the 1500 and above, lower volume is not the way to go. That's why the U.S. had such dark days in the 80's and 90's.

But for the 800, I think there are two schools of thought - you can either train more like a miler or more like a 400 guy, and the two systems are very different. Thanks for the reply, I'm curious if we'll get others.

if you're so curious about 400m training, try it. You'll obviously need a faster 100m & 200m if you want a faster 400m

How? Weights, pull-ups, 100% efforts at short distances in practice, flexibility, drop your mileage to 30mpw

40m sprint reps with full recovery (try & make your own practice routine)

Periods of larger volume are fine, but back WAY off on any intensity. Do intervals as fartlek and untimed hill repeats instead; go more on effort, and don't push hard when you are at 60+ miles.

S.S. Fast Twitch tends to run aground on mileage only when it is mixed with too much intensity.

When the season comes around drop WAY down to 40-ish, with better quality sessions, then finally 30-ish when coming to finaql peak, with lots of racing 400-1500.

You have to ruin fast to run fast, regardless of what anyone tells you.

Do you have 'better training for distance runners'. The approach used by Coe (plenty of strength training, only moderate mileage, fast running throughout the year) might suit you more than the traditional letsrun plan.

Agree dont get influenced by the letsrun gang of 120mpw or nothing ideas.

Take it steady as you are obviously a dedicated hard working athlete who is becoming frustrated and perhaps at a turning point in your running career. With careful thought and detailed planning the switch to other distances more suited to you can be achieved with ease.

Read the books,mags and get down to a club and work with the coaches to put together a schedule that suits you best.

Remember quality not quantity counts more for success.

Speedwork and strength training will be your new priority.

Take it easy and you will succeed man!

Good luck anyway.

high milage make some guys slow

personally I have PR'ed at 5k when "I couldn't even do" a long run.

I've also had huge drops in my long run times and then had the local slobs that I usually beat smoke me at the races.

Take a look at Seb Coe's old training, it may work well for you

if you plan on running an 800, train like an 800 runner and start getting on the track