Sean's Running Blog

Welcome to Idaho Sean... It's too bad your not close to Pocatello I would have loved to run with you.

I think you might need a break. I've ran 4 marathon in 9 weeks and I think it's catching up on me. I only took one day-off between each marathon which could be my factor. I'm planning on taking a day-off on Friday and this Sunday. I did run 14 miles today, but the fast twitch muscle just doesn't seem to be there. I think it's because of not taking a break, and I think that might be what your feeling. You know your body better than me and your definitely at another level than me so you know what your body needs.

Happy Thanksgiving Sean.

So here's a questions for folks...what does "take a break" mean? Does it mean taking a month off from running altogether? Does it mean cutting mileage in half and not doing hard workouts? Just trying to get an idea of what is best. I don't have a marathon planned until Fall, probably Berlin so if there is a time to chill a bit it's probably now.

My opinion of taking a break is a week off and then cutting back the miles a bit and the intensity. I think overtime your legs need to be refreshed.

I would think a month would be too long, because you would probably lose some endurance. I think its an advantage to train in the winter, but I don't think you have to train as hard.

That is a question only you can answer Sean. Running as much as you have for 2 1/2 years has brought you to tremendous heights - maybe a week or two of some 50's will get you strong again or just a few days off will get some good spring back. Whatever it is, you deserve it!

Rest!

Run when your body and mind demands it. But like Dave says, only you will really know the answer Sean.

Check out Nick's blog who is training under Wetmore at CU. Their season just ended and he ahs them take two weeks off. With the second week doing some cross training. It looks like this is to recharge and get motivated to go hard again. I have never really tried this but it may work well. Interesting to think about at least. Although I am usually itching to go again after only missing one run. And this week has been tough just cutting the miles way back for the knee. But I guess if it is a planned break and not one forced upon oneself it may be easier?

I've found the planned two weeks off idea to be a good one, depending on how drained you really feel. I would try to fill each day with the same time amount of exercise: An hour run exchange with an hour of biking, or something creative, like snowshoveling. After about two days you start to feel the urge to get out again, and after two weeks your legs will be more than happy to knock out the high miles for a few more months.

Sean - you may or may not be experiencing long-term effects of overtaining. From the info you posted I would not necessarily conclude that you are overtrained. First, Silverton is at 2100 feet, which makes you about 2-4 seconds a mile slower to begin with. 25 degrees is probably another 5-10 seconds a mile slower. You also traveled, I assume with your whole family, right? I've noticed that when I travel long distances with kids in a car, I never run as well - the nervous system is worn out. I'd say that if you had a couple of other runners with you that often train with you, and you observed the wrong amount of gaps between you and them, but not among themselves, then there would be a cause to worry. Otherwise, I would just wait until you get back home and settle down to re-evaluate.