Quality vs. Quantity

In my last post I mentioned how I was excited about incorporating my HR monitor into my workout routines and how I would be spending the week 'digging' up info regarding appropriate training use. Well, all of that digging lead me to debate another area of interest. Actually, an area of more interest than just learning about heart zones: Quality vs. Quantity.

When I embarked upon this journey, I read as much as I could about running. The swimming and cycling part hadn't really come into play yet. Everything I read during those weeks when I approached C25K graduation told me to build my base and endurance (and eventually speed) by increasing mileage and eventually doing long, slow runs. What I never really thought about during this time is that so much of the info. out there is geared to those training for marathons. What about people like me who only have interest in speedier short course events... and possibly a half marathon here and there? As time went on and 5K and triathlons came and went, I started to wonder if all of this slow running was actually helping to improve the events that I'm training for (mainly at this time, the Sprint Triathlon and 5K road races).

From inception (with the exclusion of a few of my first C25K weeks where I ran waaaay too hard), the majority of my easy runs have been done between a 10 min/mile and 11 min/mile pace. Long, slow runs have been done closer to, and sometimes slower than, an 11 min/mile pace. I'd incorporate fartlek runs once a week and towards the end of June, I started adding some hill training. After my well, 'weak' run performance at my last tri (where I maintained a pace about 10 seconds slower than I had in my first triathlon in May-- despite better conditions and less heat/humidity), I started to question my training methods.

As a triathlete, I have to balance three different disciplines. Obviously, if I want to have any sort of family life (and not get fired from my job), I have to train wisely. i don't have the luxury of running countless miles day in and day out in hopes that the increased base will produce eventual speed. This is where I started questioning quality vs. quantity. Incorporating long slow runs as a way to increase my base mileage (to 20 miles per week), got me nowhere during my last tri and based on the 5K tempo run that I ran last week, it hasn't really helped in my overall 5K speed since March. A dear tri friend of mine told me about a blip that she read in Runner's World: To run faster, you have to run faster.

So, as I mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to push my pace. Knowing that eventual adaptation takes place when elements are stressed, it only seems sensible to run at a faster pace so that the body gets used to it and 'knows' how to handle it. Now, the ultimate question is... what to do about my weekly 8-mile LSD run? I'm debating on whether I should keep it around or break it up into smaller chunks that I can maintain a faster pace during? I'm also debating on reducing my 20 mile a week base to 15 miles per week. Runner's World has some sort of a FIRST program that I was reading about-- basically run training takes place 3 days a week and focuses on quality, not volume. As a triathlete, this sounds beautiful to me!

So anyway... just throwing all of this out there to contemplate. I promised to let my running 'be what it may' after my meltdown two weeks ago, but I don't think that restricts me from trying out an alternative method of training. :o) I promise myself to still maintain a positive outlook and at least some semblance of a balanced triathlete.

.... and a very special shout-out to Chris as she conquers the New Jersey State Olympic Distance Triathlon this Sunday! I'm your biggest (and perhaps farthest) fan, Chris! Rock the clock!!!