team 1 wrote:
RunningForFun - you're increasing distance and intensity at the same time so of course you'll be having a tough time hitting paces. I'll counter Laughlin's encouragement with a little warning... Be aware, if you aren't already, that such increases always puts us at risk for overuse injuries, too - might seem like you can do it, but 2-4 weeks later you start getting knee, achilles, etc. niggles. So make sure everything else is dialed in; sleep, nutrition, and stress. Also be sure to get your rest in, and be prepared to drop a day or a workout if you are feeling worn down. You have years to get those increases in; there's another race after this one, and another training cycle. I see you ordered the right edition (I stupidly ordered 3rd, and I knew better!).
100% agree about getting your rest, nutrition, and all the "little things". Also agree that you've got a long time to get your mileage up and that it should be seen as a long term project. However, I also think that there are times where you have to actually do it. Yes, you will get tired, as sometimes you should, but there are times when you need to push through some of that or else you'll never adapt. This is where listening to your body comes in - are you just a little more tired than normal (to be expected when increasing training load) or are you genuinely feeling run down and/or on the verge of overtraining?
If your body says to push it, then push it. If it says to back off, then back off. It goes both ways.