tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post1898856503014243230..comments2023-08-30T20:35:26.896+01:00Comments on Running Late: Confused dot com?Andy Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02484436140840957046noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-40773176778339326552012-05-09T13:12:57.599+01:002012-05-09T13:12:57.599+01:00Andy, just reading this (sorry for missing it earl...Andy, just reading this (sorry for missing it earlier).<br />Thanks for your kind comments on our podcast. I am sure it was not easy to listen to because of the background noise :-)<br /><br />I have to say my training is still experimental. training for a Marathon I pretty much know what to do but training for an Ultra I am not so sure. <br /><br />Some say run 20 miles or 30 miles hard in training. Some say take it easy. You can see that in responses to your post that some agree some disagree.<br /><br />I think I did not get my training right for the G2E (that's what Marco and I were aiming for).<br />It was not bad but it also did not feel right. <br /><br />Ian Sharman suggests in his blog (in a recent post) running half marathons (at race pace) in preparation for ultras. To get your aerobic capacity up. It works for him, but it may not work for everybody.<br /><br />The gist is that it needs to feel right. Whatever you do. And whatever that means. On race day if you start your race and you feel great you have done the right thing. And if you feel bad you have done something wrong. <br /><br />Surely adding bit of 'everything' to you training sensibly can get you there. Experiment. Experiment with speed, with slow runs, with back to backs with super long runs with core work, with hill work. with food with shoes, with pacing, racing. But all in moderation and with patience. <br /><br />confused?<br />;-)Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12642801966035986262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-11831935764938909832012-03-07T21:34:15.287+00:002012-03-07T21:34:15.287+00:00Hi Andy
Some interesting ideas; half marathon pac...Hi Andy<br /><br />Some interesting ideas; half marathon pace predicting ultra pace!!! How does this work???<br /><br />To me the answer is related to what determines performance in ultra trail running, which based on my experiences is largely determind by self belief / self expectations. The real question in relation to training then is "How does one develop their self expectations?" The answer: by gathering evidence from training or racing. So often when one runs a quicker time in say a half marathon, this develops their confidence and therefore translates to improved performance in all races no matter what distance. So the link between half marathons and ultra running isn't a physiological link but more a psychological link (although I try not not seperate the two as the mind and body act together as one).<br /><br />So with regards to speed training. Yes it will improve your performance in ultra trail running as long as you believe it will. And for those that believe that speed training is not needed to perform in ultra trail running, then their performances will improve as long as they carry out the training that they consider is necessary. The above may sound a bit 'airy fairy', but one has to look deeper, look past the dated physiological model of performance.<br /><br />I'm pleased to read that your performances are improving. Stick with the speed training, it is obviously working.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Stuart<br /><br />PS The reason that I can run 3 hour trail marathons on 'cruisey' relaxed training is that I believe that I can, based on over 30 years of running. Having run alot faster in the past for example in 10km races, running at 6:30 - 7:00 minute mile pace is still technically easy for me, so I don't need speed training for technique, and as I believe speed training isn't needed to improve my performances, there is no point in me doing it. May sound simple, but often simplicity 'out performs' the complex!UltraStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16637489358497153536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-55365309478891325832012-03-01T14:04:50.246+00:002012-03-01T14:04:50.246+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05739196746383254321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-45428604337087274962012-03-01T14:03:57.949+00:002012-03-01T14:03:57.949+00:00Hi Andy,
I felt like you were reading my mind as ...Hi Andy,<br /><br />I felt like you were reading my mind as I read this post. Even though I would finish in the top 25% of races that I enter (not top 24%!) I always benchmark myself off the people with better ability. As a result of this I have pushed myself harder in the past than I think was of real benefit and as a result have started to shy away from races under 10k (the pain from the gun theory).<br /><br />I have tried the aerobic adaptation base build for marathons (run everything slowly with only 1 interval session per week) and it did get my time down to about 3:17 so long and slow does work. <br /><br />Do speed sessions work for ultras? I think Dale is right in saying that Tim Noakes thinks these sessions should form about 10% of your training as they bring risks of injury. <br /><br />I would throw this into the mix: If you're running ultras lets assume you have a good aerobic base. Speed session train you to increase you lactic threshold (stretch the red-line on the engine) and train fast twitch fibres in the muscles. I can see the benefit of the increase in LT (and the mental fortitude this brings with it) but the muscle training will be wasted as the slow twitch fibres are what will get you over the finishing line.<br /><br />Great postRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05739196746383254321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-38425057615813648122012-02-28T21:43:48.037+00:002012-02-28T21:43:48.037+00:00another cracking read, Andy, and quite pertinent.
...another cracking read, Andy, and quite pertinent.<br /><br />I have some ideas about this topic which I've simply magpied from Tim Noakes in his main message from within the Lore of Running.<br /><br />Essentially I see speedwork as red-lining the mind and body. I feel I have done too much of this without being ready for it and I also believe this is a common mistake to make as a novice.<br /><br />I've got a new plan which I'll email you with tomorrow - it's on my flashdisk at work.<br /><br />Again, good read.<br />CheersDale Jamiesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614483254021667053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-71585403868020708162012-02-27T22:32:22.941+00:002012-02-27T22:32:22.941+00:00From reading this a couple of times I think you co...From reading this a couple of times I think you cover all bases nicely. <br /><br />Those guys that like to incorporate speed work can read into it that they are doing the right thing, and should continue.<br /><br />And the same can be said for those guys who don't do speed work ~ stick to not doing it.<br /><br /> I think there's no simple black 'n white answer either way; each person needs to experiment and try to work out what's best for him / her. <br /><br />I'm still rather sitting on the fence, and undecided; but think I'm like Caroline in that I'm usually feeling too pooped to actually get round to doing any speed work sessions as such. And, also, not terribly motivated to do them, I guess.<br /><br />MtMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-60053384551615904092012-02-27T16:58:47.419+00:002012-02-27T16:58:47.419+00:00Another great thought provoking post.
As someone ...Another great thought provoking post.<br /><br />As someone who does enjoy speed sessions there was enough in there to keep me going!!<br /><br />This may well feature in my blog of the week. Would you like to read it and send it to me? <br /><br />Your thoughts on out today in podcast no 7.John Kynastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16436853872576303518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-90801298439598383422012-02-26T19:19:49.996+00:002012-02-26T19:19:49.996+00:00Makes a lot of sense. If you have done all the tr...Makes a lot of sense. If you have done all the training so you can get round the ultra, the next thing you want to do is get fit so you can get round it fast.<br /><br />No harm in getting fit so you can do it fast if that is your goal.<br /><br />If someone of low - average ability wants to do a Bob Graham, I would probably suggest that they drop some of the speed work, because they are already fit enough to do the climbs in the required time and they would be better off using that training time to do a long run to build strength rather than fitness. But if someone could already get round a BG with confidence then speed work would obvioulys make that faster. <br /><br />Same goes for 50 and 100 mile races I guess!<br /><br />AndyAndy Blacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06547993075817775667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-87625355169322343532012-02-26T08:30:03.491+00:002012-02-26T08:30:03.491+00:00Really interesting post - as always! I agree with ...Really interesting post - as always! I agree with what you are saying and am also trying to get some speed back into my training but my legs are always so tired from all the miles that it's really hard to actually do! Hoping it gets easier soon and I had a really easy week this week to help! CarolineCarolinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761352019380357425.post-20779136647905502642012-02-26T01:03:42.389+00:002012-02-26T01:03:42.389+00:00Very enlightened, Andy. I believe but have never h...Very enlightened, Andy. I believe but have never had the commitment to prove it for myself.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.com