It ain't Chinese algebra!

Thanks for your comments! Yes, the Bush pasture race was a PR, but only by two seconds so I didn't think much of it. I really liked that course...something about the trail run that motivates me to go faster!

My weekly mileage hasn't been flushed out very far yet, but I've been trying to reach that point of running six days a week consistently.

With a mileage goal of about 21 miles this week (I know, I know, one day's trot for you) I plan on running every day even if it's two or three miles on some of those runs (ie. Mon 3, Tue 2, Wed 4, Thur 2, Fri 3, Sat 7). Will this be productive or should I take a different approach?

I'm wondering how important the disbursement of total miles is each week, at my current mileage base which is about 15-20? Do I want to see some fluctuation or a steady, fairly equal allotment of miles?

Thanks!

Sorry for the slow reply. Computer issues... I'm ready to throw my laptop off my roof.

Here is a post from the discussion forum from Sasha, the creator of this blog:

"Find a distance and a pace that allows you to run it and feel as good as you did before you started in 24 hours. Run that distance 5 days a week at that pace. On the sixth day run double that distance. Rest on the seventh. Repeat until you feel that distance can be increased by a mile. Repeat the process until that distance becomes 10 miles or until you hit a logistical limit (e.g. you have other commitments that do not allow you to run for an hour and a half each day)."

Pretty strait forward, just like you had mentioned. Personally, I'd get a bit bored running the exact same distance for 5 days and then a long run on the 6th. I would do something around what you had mentioned (some days 3 miles, some 4 miles, long run on Saturday of at least 6 miles).

Having said that, I'd also recommend running no less than 3 miles at a time. That would guarantee you 21 miles a week (5x3=15 +6 Sat= 21) so on the days you may do 4 or even 5 would be 'gravy' and bank you a bit more by weeks end. Make sense?

Good luck with running each day. It's a commitment but it will pay off come race day!

Most of what was mentioned helps...I'm still uncertain as to how many miles can be added each week. I've heard about the 10% rule, but, if I understand Sasha's words correctly, I run a comfortable distance and pace for a couple weeks until I feel I can handle running an additional mile. So my weekly mileage would increase by one mile every so often. Boy, I Might reach a 60 mile base by the time I'm 40.

These formulas and theories are killing me.

Good point. For sure, I strongly agree with the 10% rule (maybe stretch it to 15% every now and then).

You could easily be to 30 mpw within 1 month and 40 within 2. If you run 21 this week, 23 the next, then 26 and 29-30 by the third and fourth week, you're making good progress. Take an easy week after that & then jump back into the same pattern & you'd be @ 40 miles/week by the end of the 2nd month.

But again, I would recommend following the 10% rule to avoid possible injury.

Thanks!

I invite any and all words of the wise! Keep up the good work!