When you're not training for a race

[katyintx]

What does your weekly mileage look like when you're not training?  I don't have anything on the calendar until November now and I just don't know what to do with myself!  I mean, I'm still running 4-5 miles a few times a week, and biking, but I'm wondering if I should just take a marathon training plan and cut it in half and add crosstraining or something. What do you do?  I mean, the obvious answer is to get a race on the schedule, but I haven't found one I just have to do yet... 

[ebeth]

it depends on what the goal is. do you have another race further out on the horizon? this will impact my answer.

[runblondie26]

It typically hovers around 25-30 mpw, with some cross training (spin or elliptical) and a weight session or two mixed in.

[clseale]

Apparently, for me, it is 10 miles. lol

J/k...mostly. That has just been for the last 2 weeks. My previous 3 weeks were 28-33. I'm sort of going through a delayed burnout period.

Generally though, I like staying around 30 mpw, with some speed work thrown in. This usually means that I can get some quality runs in, and keep my long run in the 10-12 range. I'm also able to cut back to only 4 days a week, vs training when I'm running 5-6 times. It gives me a bit of flexibility, while allowing me to feel like I'm not sacrificing too much fitness.

[gt7301b]

I sign up for another race.

Seriously, if I didn't have another race till November I'd become a big fat slob and not do much. I usually do a couple smaller races to keep me motivated. Right now I have ~ two months till marathon training starts and I have four 5ks on the calendar during those two months. I plan on doing some 5k specific speed work during that time.

[runaways]

I'm basically in maintenance mode for the foreseeable future and my goal is 30 miles/week. I'm still doing a long run (12) on Sundays and doing speed work weekly, but I'm probably not going to run another marathon for a couple years. I may sign up for a half in January if next year's schedule allows. I want to be in good shape to BQ at the next opportunity.

[Deleted]

I'm with gt, I sign up for other races, smaller ones though.

[katyintx]

Apr 30, 2014 9:21:58 GMT -5 ebeth said:

it depends on what the goal is. do you have another race further out on the horizon? this will impact my answer.

That would be helpful to know, huh?  Oops!  I'm hoping to do the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 18th.  

[Mushe]

20 seems to be my norm, but not sure if you're a marathoner or not. I have only done halfs, and have maxed out at high 20's for training.

[skwcm80]

Last winter I stayed around 20 mpw with 2 days of strength training thrown in.

[katyintx]

I know I'm doing a 5k in June but we're doing it in WI with the H's fam, so I'm not taking that one too seriously.. BUT, I am still looking for a few races. In the meantime I wanted to be doing SOMETHING, but didn't know how much.

[ebeth]

Apr 30, 2014 10:16:44 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Apr 30, 2014 9:21:58 GMT -5 ebeth said:

it depends on what the goal is. do you have another race further out on the horizon? this will impact my answer.

That would be helpful to know, huh?  Oops!  I'm hoping to do the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 18th.  

so you've got until september to start training. 

is it your first?  do you have a time goal?  what MPW are you running now?

if you are trying to PR I would try to build your mileage to about 30-35 MPW between now and September.  then you'll be ready to dive in come september.

it's summer time so I'd also try to get some (cheap) 5-10K's on the schedule.

I'd also try to incorporate some stregth training now.  I find this to be valuable part of marathon training (or any training really) but it's a bad idea to start a new program while marathon training.

take this time to experiment and build base mileage and figure out what's working for you.

[cinco]

I try to average 30 mpw (roughly half of my peak marathon mileage), but in between my last two training cycles it was more 10 mpw, followed by 40 mpw, then 25 mpw. Not the best way to go about things. Next month I'm aiming for 35-45, but I'm also shooting for a 5k PR and know I need to be in at least this range to get it.

[cinco]

Apr 30, 2014 9:42:48 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I sign up for another race.

Seriously, if I didn't have another race till November I'd become a big fat slob and not do much. I usually do a couple smaller races to keep me motivated. Right now I have ~ two months till marathon training starts and I have four 5ks on the calendar during those two months. I plan on doing some 5k specific speed work during that time.

I signed up for 4 yesterday, and it will cost me less than one half marathon usually does. This makes me happy until I realize I'm actually paying money for the pain and torture of a 5k.

[Susie]

Team Sign Up for Another Race.

Just something to keep you accountable. Not every race needs to be an "event" that you're dying to do.

[labbie]

Apr 30, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

Last winter I stayed around 20 mpw with 2 days of strength training thrown in.

I've been doing this, but with only about 15mpw as I'm trying to build my base. But now that you mention it I think I do need to start following some type of plan for my fall halfs....how is possibly May already???

[skwcm80]

Apr 30, 2014 10:53:02 GMT -5 labbie said:

Apr 30, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

Last winter I stayed around 20 mpw with 2 days of strength training thrown in.

I've been doing this, but with only about 15mpw as I'm trying to build my base. But now that you mention it I think I do need to start following some type of plan for my fall halfs....how is possibly May already???

I know. This year has been flying by.  You know my love for smartcoach knows no bounds, not that you asked.

[gt7301b]

Apr 30, 2014 10:35:34 GMT -5 cinco said:

Apr 30, 2014 9:42:48 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I sign up for another race.

Seriously, if I didn't have another race till November I'd become a big fat slob and not do much. I usually do a couple smaller races to keep me motivated. Right now I have ~ two months till marathon training starts and I have four 5ks on the calendar during those two months. I plan on doing some 5k specific speed work during that time.

I signed up for 4 yesterday, and it will cost me less than one half marathon usually does. This makes me happy until I realize I'm actually paying money for the pain and torture of a 5k.

I'm sure you'll come home with some nice gift cards and other swag,  I bet you'll make money.

[jamalynn]

My goal is to try to stay around 30 mpw. I have done a pretty good job with the exception of being sick for a week since my marathon (3/1/14). This is slightly higher than before my marathon so I am hoping if I can keep this up, it will make training for the next one easier (and faster). I am also trying to keep speed work in at least once a week. I think that will help me with the shorter distance this summer.