100mpw for last 8 weeks - Should I scale back to assess progress?

idk why you would, assuming you are feeling ok. alternatively, i dont think it would be a terrible idea to drop to 70 or 80mpw, as it wouldn't really hurt your aerobic strength. still getting a ton of miles in, while resting, relative to your recent efforts.

I know 8 weeks isn't too long, but I would feel better if I saw some progress. Essentially I'm running at the same paces, or slightly slower, than I was while running 50mpw.

It'd be nice to taper a little and do a 10k or 10 miler or something to see tangible improvement so I know all the time it takes to run 100mpw consistently isn't being wasted on no gains.

Could always find a race 2 weeks out to see where you are at. Then adjust from there.

run a course weekly or biweekly & keep track of your time for that course (but NEVER look at splits along the way, just the total time). maybe a 10 miler that you run at a high-end aerobic effort.

if you do this run consistently faster and faster over the course of several months while putting forth the same perceived effort, you are getting fitter.

best way to monitor progress - can get lots of data points over time, don't have to taper/plan for/risk injury with a race, it's low-key/no pressure, etc.

Why don't you take a down week to make sure your body is absorbing all the training? The little bit of rest will allow you to improve paces during the next cycle and see some of the results from your hard 8 weeks of 100+

grpppppppp wrote:

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Should I take it down a notch for a week or two to assess my progress so far, or just keep going?

You've already had some good suggestions.

All I wanted to add is - you might want to start including some regular strides 2-3x per week. It will seriously help maintain your speed & turnover without detracting from the base you are building. That will help your eventual transition back into faster running.

Keep up the good work!

It would be definitely better to decrease mileage. You've never run consecutive 100 mile weeks and now you are doing 8 in a row... You need to recover form your training before you get overtrained.

I would suggest 50-60-70-80-90-100 for the next 6 weeks. If you want to know your actual level run a 10k at the end of the 60 miles week.

Or you doing any kind of speedwork?

This is good advice, although I'd do 60,50, and then climb back up the ladder. Treat it like a taper and race a 10k to half marathon during the 50 mile week.

BTW you don't lose any significant aerobic fitness until you have done zero running for 10 straight days.

I am truly jealous. Haven't been able to run for three weeks and 100mpw is literally the stuff I dream of. Anyway, carry on.