Has anyone just taken a week off during training?

[soveryexcited]

I'm training for a half in April, and this week I was going to do 4, 4 and 12. I made it 3.75 on Tuesday and called it quits. I am on my period and the cramps and general fatigue were just too annoying. Today I am totally not feeling it. Have you ever just taken a day off from running just because while training? I'm still intending on doing my 12 miler on Sunday, but I just don't feel like running today. Am I awful?

[shorty20]

Yes I have, and no, you're not awful. Sometimes you just need a break, you'll be fine! You have plenty of time to get your runs in.

[ebeth]

so here's the thing. part of training is running when you just don't feel like it. (sometimes, not all the time).

if you aren't hurt, I think you need to suck it up and go for a run.

also, I'd strongly advise against running 12 miles on the weekend when you're only doing 8 during the week.

why are you running 12 mile long runs already if you are only planning 8 miles during the week? you've got time. why don't you work on building up your mpw more slowly?

[soveryexcited]

ebeth- I'm loosely following Hal Hidgeon's plan.

Just curious, why would you advise against doing 12 miles when I'm only doing 8 during the week? Injury reasons? I always run with my one year old daughter, and between picking up my other two kids (5 and 4) and getting them to school/other things, I just don't have time to dedicate to much longer than a 5 mile run on the weekdays. On weekends, I time it so I run when my one year old goes down for her nap, which generally gets me an hour and a half.

And for the most part, I'm feeling good with running. No injuries and I honestly haven't taken a ''break'' except for a week where I had bronchitis and another one when we were in Disneyland since last August. I stupidly signed up for a half marathon about two weeks after a 10k, so my training plan got a little catewampus since I wanted to taper down a bit before the 10k so I don't go from running 12 miles the week before the 10k.

[Susie]

I did earlier in February. My calves were in tight knots that couple-times-a-day foam rolling wasn't fixing, and my shin was feeling irritated. I don't want shin splints, so I took the better part of week off to let it everything loosen up and heal.

[CallingAllAngels]

I was supposed to run today, but I had the slightest twinge in my knee last night (feels fine today) and used that as an excuse not to pack the gym bag.

I also struggle with mid-week runs. I have recently gone from running 3x a week to 4x (well, except for this week) so that I can increase my weekly mileage. Even that is hard to do given my schedule.

[clseale]

If it's just an, "Ehhh...I just don't feel like running today, I'd rather relax", I'm on team suck it up & go. It's way too easy to get caught in a trap of finding excuses not to run when you're tired. Use those runs to work on your mental game. If you're having pains or you're genuinely feeling burnt out mentally & physically, sometimes a few days off can help you re-start your engine a bit.

[ebeth]

Feb 28, 2013 11:28:10 GMT -5 soveryexcited said:

ebeth- I'm loosely following Hal Hidgeon's plan.

Just curious, why would you advise against doing 12 miles when I'm only doing 8 during the week? Injury reasons? I always run with my one year old daughter, and between picking up my other two kids (5 and 4) and getting them to school/other things, I just don't have time to dedicate to much longer than a 5 mile run on the weekdays. On weekends, I time it so I run when my one year old goes down for her nap, which generally gets me an hour and a half.

And for the most part, I'm feeling good with running. No injuries and I honestly haven't taken a ''break'' except for a week where I had bronchitis and another one when we were in Disneyland since last August. I stupidly signed up for a half marathon about two weeks after a 10k, so my training plan got a little catewampus since I wanted to taper down a bit before the 10k so I don't go from running 12 miles the week before the 10k.

I'm curious which HH plan you are using that has you running 12 mi 4 weeks out from a half.

the reason why I don't advise running 12 if you are only doing 8 during the week (or 4) is partially because of injuries but also because you're aerobic base is not built on long runs alone.  you need miles all of the week. I think you can train for a half on 3-4 days per week, but you need to be doing longer mid week runs if you are trying to get by on three runs a week IMO.

I get that weekday runs are hard.  they are hard for everyone.   I tend to be able to run only 3 of the 5, so I run both weekend days to get my miles in. 

you shouldn't need a taper for a 10K.  especially if you are in the middle of training for a half.

[Deleted]

Losing one day isn't going to make or break you.

[soveryexcited]

Ebeth- how many miles a week do you suggest I run during my two not long runs? That totally sounded snarky and it is not meant too at all.

I did just double check Hal hidgeons schedule and I am totally not following that one. LOL. It was a schedule sent out by the local fleet feet place. In their schedule they are running 7 miles or week with one speed session. Doesn't say how many miles there. I am just following their schedule so I don't know all of the details. The last four weeks of their schedule are 11,12,8 and then 6.

I am going for the dang run anyways. :-) I am physically fine it's just been a rough week emotionally but running outside on a beautiful day isn't going to make it worse. :-)

[ebeth]

Feb 28, 2013 12:18:06 GMT -5 soveryexcited said:

Ebeth- how many miles a week do you suggest I run during my two not long runs? That totally sounded snarky and it is not meant too at all.

I did just double check Hal hidgeons schedule and I am totally not following that one. LOL. It was a schedule sent out by the local fleet feet place. In their schedule they are running 7 miles or week with one speed session. Doesn't say how many miles there. I am just following their schedule so I don't know all of the details. The last four weeks of their schedule are 11,12,8 and then 6.

I am going for the dang run anyways. :-) I am physically fine it's just been a rough week emotionally but running outside on a beautiful day isn't going to make it worse. :-)

is there any way you can run 4 days per week (Sat, Sun, + 2 weekdays)? that would really be better.  if you can only do 3 days/week I'd try to do at least 5-6 miles.  are you doing any other exercise?

but really, I'd recommend: dropping back on the long run mileage (ex. 4-4-9 this week and working up from there), running one more day/week, not tapering for the 10K, and not doing such a long taper for a half.

and no, one day is not going to make or break you it is more important not to be skipping days just because you don't feel like it when you are running 3 days/week.

[soveryexcited]

I'm doing two forty five minute zumba classes during the week. I could try to squeeze in another run during the weekdays, it would just be pretty hard. My husband lately has been getting home at 7;30-8pm, and by that time, it is too dark for me to feel comfortable running outside. Ugh. But I will definitely try to up my mileage to at least 5 miles per run for the two short runs I do right now. That is a much easier way to fit in the mileage for me.

I won't taper than for the 10k. According to the training schedule then my runs look like:

3/3 10 miles
3/10 11 miles
3/17 10k run
3/24 8 miles
3/31 6 miles
4/7 half marathon

So are you thinking that for 3/24 and 3/31 I go more of a 11 and 8 mile runs before?

Thank you for all of your help and insight, I really do appreciate it.

I went for the run, and made it through fine. I'm just a cranky bitch this week and I felt like sitting and stewing and being all crotchety and miserable. Thanks to everyone for kicking my ass (or making me feel better about wanting to skip) and making me go. :-)

[Deleted]

Unless I'm injured or sick, I shove through it.

If it helps you plan your mileage, I always do 1 mid-week run of at least half the distance of my long run. The total of mid-week runs should almost be the same distance as your long-run. For example, if you are running a long run of 12, do a 4-6-3 or 5-6-3 or 5-6-2 for mid-week runs.

[gt7301b]

You don't need to taper that much for a 10k. I'd take the day before the race off, but that us about it.

[kams]

Feb 28, 2013 13:41:05 GMT -5 soveryexcited said:

3/3 10 miles
3/10 11 miles
3/17 10k run
3/24 8 miles
3/31 6 miles
4/7 half marathon

Some people may have differing opinions, but I think it would be great to get an 11/12 miler in there on 3/24, and then taper and do 6 on 3/31. 
I find that I personally feel best on my long runs when my weekly total mileage is 2-3x the mileage of my long run. It is hard to fit that all in sometimes, though, I know.

[CallingAllAngels]

Feb 28, 2013 14:04:38 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

If it helps you plan your mileage, I always do 1 mid-week run of at least half the distance of my long run. The total of mid-week runs should almost be the same distance as your long-run. For example, if you are running a long run of 12, do a 4-6-3 or 5-6-3 or 5-6-2 for mid-week runs.

Oh, I like this rule of thumb.  Thanks for sharing.

[ebeth]

I think the rule of thumb is that long runs are supposed to be like 20-30% of your total mpw, but it doesn't sound like you are there yet (I'm not quite there yet either), so 50% should be OK for now.

For long runs I'd do 10, 11, 10K/6-8, 12, 8, race

Re: the 10K. I'd do a long run on the day of the weekend that you aren't running the 10K or do a warm up and a 2-3 mile cool down to get some mileage in that weekend.

and I'd switch out one of those zumba days for running, but I hate zumba so there's that.