Hello all, hope this finds everyone as healthy as possible.
I'd like to start off by mentioning that my outdoor post-season hasn't been canceled yet-i'm in Washington and am hoping we can salvage a race or two but things aren't looking so great.
With that said, I've begun an attempt at building my base for cross country , but am also doing some workouts in preparation for track (just in case).
Is it possible to build base mileage for too long? Am I starting too early? It seems to make sense that if I'm to start increasing my mileage now and maybe reach my mileage goal around July, my body would begin to lose fitness. I'm just not sure.
For example: I have two training plans for base.
The first would be to run 35 mpw (which is what I'm starting at) and increase by 10% every fourth week. (35, 35, 35, 38.5, 28.5, 38.5, 42.4, 42.4, 42.4. . .) until I reach 50. This first plan has me reaching 50 (my goal mileage) around July.
The second plan: start at 35 (for three weeks) and then increase to 38.5 for an additional week. (35, 35, 35, 38.5, 38.5, 38.5, 38.5, 42.4, 42.4, 42.4, 42.4, 42.4. . .) until I reach 50, which would be about early September.
Which of these plans would you all go with? Or should I stick with the first one, but just keep increasing mileage and maybe do a rest week (the mileage of the previous week) every 4th week or so? I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks!