Can running junk milage actually hurt my recovery?

Training Advice/Discussion General

13 years ago 09/02/2010 11:44pm EDT

I run around 100 miles a week during x-country season and have done so the last 2 years. I feel like I race at to high of a milage and do not feel fresh. I was thinking of taking out 2 runs a week. The 2 runs are recovery runs that I do on my recovery days. The runs are only 5 miles each and would bring my milage down to 90.

Example: Tuesday - am 5 at 7:30 to 8 pace

- pm 10 miles at 6:50 - 7 pace

Thursday - am 5 at 7:30 to 8 pace

- pm 8 - 10 at 7:10ish pace

So taking out the 2 am run on Tuesday and Wednesday. Would this be beneficial? or would taking out the two 5 mile runs actually be harder for me to recover?

13 years ago 09/02/2010 11:53pm EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

take them out and see what happens

13 years ago 09/03/2010 12:03am EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

Would Adam Goucher and Wetmore's runners benefit more if they added 2 recovery runs to their week?

Would Sam Chelanga or Josh McDougal have benefited from doing easy runs each morning on top of their mileage they do in singles?

I don't think so. Running the extra runs could actually be making you tired.

13 years ago 09/03/2010 12:39am EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

Your problem is not just 2 runs. It's the fact that you are doing 100 mpw during the season.

Pre-season is the time for 100 mpw. The season itself should be less. Less than 90, most weeks. You're racing then. The time to build the base is before the season starts.

13 years ago 09/03/2010 7:41am EDT

re: Author Author

Yea, I am aware of this but the only place I can really take out milage is these two runs. I also do them before out workout days. I have to do everything that the coach asks in the afternoon. I was just curious wether or not it was ever ok to take out recovery runs????

13 years ago 09/03/2010 7:53am EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

If your legs don't feel fresh, then yes take them out. I don't see how just taking two runs out of your week will make that big of a difference but give it a shot and see what happens. Are you getting stale from doing the same thing week in and week out?

13 years ago 09/03/2010 8:02am EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

You've lost focus and you are "running for the log". The point of the mileage is to race well, not to show up to the starting line with the prettiest training log.

Im sure you'll make a great ultra runner one day.

13 years ago 09/03/2010 8:14am EDT

re: Letsrunner7321

Letsrunner7321 wrote:
Yea, I am aware of this

No you are not because if you were, you would not be running 100 miles a week during the season.

but the only place I can really take out milage is these two runs.

Bull.

I also do them before out workout days. I have to do everything that the coach asks in the afternoon. I was just curious wether or not it was ever ok to take out recovery runs????

No, this is not the only place you can take out mileage unless your coach is literally watching you every step of every run. Your coach is not forcing you to run 100 miles per week. Please don't try to pretend that's the case.

13 years ago 09/03/2010 8:21am EDT

re: jizzmo

100 is not "too many" miles for in season. Such a thing doesn't exist, it's all runner dependant. I know pleanty of guys who would consider 100 a low end number for in season work and some of them are good, some pretty bad, but as I said it depends on the runner and not something inherant in the 100 miles, that would be pretty stupid. The other advice is good, take the down days and see how you feel, but dropping down to 90 because some lrc poster told you to would be as dumb as training just for your log to read 100, you have to go by feel, and runners can do that at 50-150 miles a week.

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