Patience; the new endurance sport.

If you need to rest before a long run, your long run is too long. I would recommend you run your normal distance today, and reduce the length of the long run tomorrow appropriately.

Thank you for that advice. Does it matter that it's not my muscles that are sore? (it's the tendons at the base of hips--where I sit). I usually will not run more than twice the distance of my longest week day run, except last Saturday. My mind was wandering and the distance got away from me. I just read Josse's entry on running injury free, and I'd like to work in some tempo runs to push a little harder. I'm appreciative of any advice on either of these topics. Maybe you've already covered these subjects somewhere here on the blog?

How sore, and is this a new pain or something you've run with before? When increasing the mileage you should expect minor soreness that does not get worse in various places, you can train normally through it. But if it gets significantly worse after a run and alters your gait, then it is a different story.

Long run is one of the workouts, but not the king of workouts. Every running day is nearly equally important. Do not feel the pressure to run long on Saturday if your body is not up to it, and definitely do not try to start it any fresher than you would a normal workout.

Regarding tempos - you could live without them for at least another year. They will help when you are consistently running over 50 miles a week and feel fresh. Also, if you are racing often, that gives you plenty of chance to practice running fast.

It's not terrbile pain, it's not new, and it does not alter my gait. My tendons have each taken a turn throughout the years(plantar, elbow, knee, most recently my hips). But I notice the stiffness, when I'm not running. It's more noticeable after an especially long run (which sadly is my greatest running pleasure). I'm not sure I'll be running over 50 miles a week except for about three weeks in April and three weeks in September each year. I'd just like to beat a few of my race times from last year, and was trying to think of new ways to train I'll try to run fast on June 14th!

Also, this keeps going around in my head....did you really write "when you are consistently running over 50 miles a week and feeling fresh" in the same sentance? Is that the same thing as "an easy 10 miles?". Can you "feel fresh" at 50 miles a week? I guess that's why you're the ultimate FASTRUNNER! I'll do some more reading, here on the blog about training. You've told me before that I should be doing 8 every day, that would leave me just 10 on Saturdays. Maybe I'll try that for a while in June and see if I can stay "fresh" :) Thanks again!

Haha! Your cute personality comes out in your...what do you call it? Blue box over there on the left. "Proud to be a boltushka" eh? I like to chat it up as well, and I don't think talking is bad for training. But don't go my me, I NEVER do speedwork. Mostly I just do base-building. But during races, I only talk when I have to apologize for bumping into someone (all too frequent!).

Anyway, thanks for the comments, and hey, YOU may spell my name any way you like. :)

And BTW, I don't think it is corny to enjoy the feeling of being alone (or for me, the feeling of not have anyone clinging to me or just NEEDING me to do something for them...for just a LITTLE while everyday) and I can just think about whatever I want. But honestly, my favorite brain diversion during a run is hanging out with a fun chica like you and chatting it up!

Most healthy individuals can get up to feeling fresh at 50 miles a week if they are consistent in their training, diet, and sleep, and run the mileage at the right pace.