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Mark's season planning

Mark MaurerMark Maurer
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Dear Coach Rich,

I watched your screen cast regarding my season plan and it looks good. You suggested that I read the article on marathons and IM training since I have scheduled the Avenue of the Giants as a C priority race. Actually I read that article a couple of months ago when it came out and I agree with it especially since I ran the Victoria Marathon a week ago Sunday and missed qualifying for Boston by 4 minutes. I think if I had focused on training for a marathon the last half of the summer instead of a HIM then I probably would have qualified for Boston. As it was I did have a PR in the marathon by 7 minutes.

But getting back to the Avenue of the Giants, my daughter took up running a couple of years ago and wants to do her first marathon and picked that one since she lives close to there. I want to support her and run it with her so it will be a slow run for me with walk breaks. (And the Avenue of the Giants has long been on my bucket list.) I am looking at it as a long training run in that regard. I'm not sure how that fits into my season planning, but longest run I had leading up to Victoria was 19 miles with most of my long runs in the 15 mile range. The rest of my runs were 90 minutes or less but I did at least one each week with 8" threshold intervals as an example. As far as recovery, my legs feel good and fresh a week after Victoria. 

Question #2. I see that there is no swimming in the OS block. Is there a reason for that? Swimming is such a technique based sport and I don't want to loose the muscle memory. Is there a problem with adding short swim sessions during that block to reinforce the muscle memory (other than the time element of course).

#3. I'm an older athlete and I've been reading a lot lately about muscle loss and how to prevent it while aging. I read the post on lifting weights and it mentioned that it was fine if one had the time and it didn't affect downstream workouts. Any recommendations on how to incorporate that into the season. I usually do more strength training in the out season and early in the year.

#4. And this might be a question for a micro thread, winter is coming on and I like to cross country ski (the snow gods willing of course). I have to drive to the mountains to do that so we usually only go 6 or 7 times a season and ski 15 -20 km. How do those types of workouts figure into the season planning?

Best regards,

Mark

 

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Mark Maurer on 21 Oct 2013 01:31 PM

    Dear Coach Rich,

    I watched your screen cast regarding my season plan and it looks good. You suggested that I read the article on marathons and IM training since I have scheduled the Avenue of the Giants as a C priority race. Actually I read that article a couple of months ago when it came out and I agree with it especially since I ran the Victoria Marathon a week ago Sunday and missed qualifying for Boston by 4 minutes. I think if I had focused on training for a marathon the last half of the summer instead of a HIM then I probably would have qualified for Boston. As it was I did have a PR in the marathon by 7 minutes.

    But getting back to the Avenue of the Giants, my daughter took up running a couple of years ago and wants to do her first marathon and picked that one since she lives close to there. I want to support her and run it with her so it will be a slow run for me with walk breaks. (And the Avenue of the Giants has long been on my bucket list.) I am looking at it as a long training run in that regard. I'm not sure how that fits into my season planning, but longest run I had leading up to Victoria was 19 miles with most of my long runs in the 15 mile range. The rest of my runs were 90 minutes or less but I did at least one each week with 8" threshold intervals as an example. As far as recovery, my legs feel good and fresh a week after Victoria. Ok, sounds like we're on the same page. You can work with Patrick in the Marathon Forum to modify your training plan to accommodate that marathon. 

    Question #2. I see that there is no swimming in the OS block. Is there a reason for that? Swimming is such a technique based sport and I don't want to loose the muscle memory. Is there a problem with adding short swim sessions during that block to reinforce the muscle memory (other than the time element of course). Please read these two blog posts:

    #3. I'm an older athlete and I've been reading a lot lately about muscle loss and how to prevent it while aging. I read the post on lifting weights and it mentioned that it was fine if one had the time and it didn't affect downstream workouts. Any recommendations on how to incorporate that into the season. I usually do more strength training in the out season and early in the year. Lots of people doing extra cirricular strength training so you'll find a lot of threads with a search. In the OS Monday and Friday are best, as those are days off. My guidance is to not do anything that compromises your ability to accomplish the scheduled rides and runs. 

    #4. And this might be a question for a micro thread, winter is coming on and I like to cross country ski (the snow gods willing of course). I have to drive to the mountains to do that so we usually only go 6 or 7 times a season and ski 15 -20 km. How do those types of workouts figure into the season planning? They don't, really, as there's no need to work ski trips into a Season Plan. I recommend reaching out to Patrick in the Micro Forum if you need help with adjusting your training weeks to accommodate things like this. 

    Best regards,

    Mark

     


  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer
    Thanks Rich.
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