A year of running every day :)

[IainR]

This is interesting. Most of 'the books' suggest a focus on quality

tolly

Do they?

I don't think they do...

[Sasquatch]

Its a bit of a generalisation but I'm not particularly driven by races, maybe doing one event each month, so I don't worry too much about them and my racing 'performance'. That said the very best training for races that I know of is actually running races. And if I did run a race each week I know for sure my race times would improve.

But so would the chance of injuries and, in any event, running with Harry my collie is much more fun

Deff think doing a bit of quicker stuff must help speed. Only way I've ever got quicker in the past was doing shorter races - but then I drop off again and never really improve. Having seen my pals doing a bit of speedwork consistently each week over the last year or so, and now thrashing me over each time we go out - I have realised I need to do a bit too if I want to keep up with them. All I usually do is a steady pace when out generally so I spose it stands to reason that speed isn't going to get much quicker unless I tweak things a bit. Although, losing weight must help increase speed, and runnng every day for a year is a great achievement either way and must have done wonders for your general stamina/fitness.

Did you find you had to get into a routine of running before work/odd hours etc?

[Sasquatch]

Do they?

I don't think they do...

http://www.humankinetics.com/product...ing-faster-the

This seems like a good one to me. Not read many running books but is interesting, accessible, and very enthusiastic. Talks a lot about varying sessions, increasing cadence, using speed as part of the base rather than just high milage (although Im still fat and slow - ask me in 6 months). Would def recommend it though.

[Dynamo Dan]

Great stuff Stolly, it sounds like the best thing about it is that you've really enjoyed your running. I wish I could say the same!!

[IainR]

TBH I think that can all help.. but I'd go for a base period of 6 > 12 months gradually building mileage..

Speed at the end..

Look at Farah.. 130 mile weeks for 10k..

[Sasquatch]

TBH I think that can all help.. but I'd go for a base period of 6 > 12 months gradually building mileage..

Speed at the end..

Look at Farah.. 130 mile weeks for 10k..

Blimey!

[Howgill Tarrier]

Do they?

I don't think they do...

Perhaps not - can't say I've read every one yet, and I've definitely not found the one that gives away the 'secret' that all runners who are faster than me must surely know and are just not telling me...

The ones I have read suggest a lot of structured 'quality' sessions including hill reps, fartleks, thresholds etc, as opposed to what Stolly has been doing.

[IainR]

Perhaps not - can't say I've read every one yet, and I've definitely not found the one that gives away the 'secret' that all runners who are faster than me must surely know and are just not telling me...

The ones I have read suggest a lot of structured 'quality' sessions including hill reps, fartleks, thresholds etc, as opposed to what Stolly has been doing.

I'm shocked at that... recipe for injury and breakdown...

[BritNick]

Perhaps not - can't say I've read every one yet, and I've definitely not found the one that gives away the 'secret' that all runners who are faster than me must surely know and are just not telling me...

The ones I have read suggest a lot of structured 'quality' sessions including hill reps, fartleks, thresholds etc, as opposed to what Stolly has been doing.

The 'secret' - good ancestry, since we are not all born equal.

[IainR]

The 'secret' - good ancestry, since we are not all born equal.

I don't think .1 % of us have hit a level where we can say our genes are holding us back..

So I don't think the secret is ancestry.. more likely good mileage, a good diet, plenty of sleep, little alcohol, 2 good sessions a week.. sensible racing schedule..