Monday, July 21, 2008

No ragged running

As a mom it's not always easy to fit in my runs, and last week I only managd to squeeze in three. Worriedly I wondered how detrimental this would be to my running form.

So imagine my surprise when I ran my 8 kilometers in 50 minutes instead of my usual 60 minutes. Not only that, instead of dragging myself along, wondering why in heaven's name I subjected myself to this, I had fun!

Then I read in my favorite running book, Jeff Galloway's 'You can do it', running three times a week is enough to complete a marathon. Two runs to maintain your running form and the third run to increase your distance.

So by training less, I run faster and have more fun!

It almost sounds too good to be true.

Then again: it makes sense. Running yourself ragged doesn't help anyone, neither as a mom, nor as a runner.

2 comments:

Mmem said...

Amen!

marathon mom said...

I think you are right- there have been a few long races (marathon and Disney's Goofy Challenge) that for one reason or another I had to cut down on training- and I felt awesome during the races!!!! The long runs before always went better if I had missed a day during the week. I ran an half in Charlottesville and was dealing with pregnancy related pains the week before (I was 21 weeks) so I did not run for a whole week before...and I did great!!! I am one who likes to run my long distances right up until the weekend before a race, but don't think I need my 5 runs a week to make it through a race!