I've been reading Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger. A great resource of training advice. It includes training plans for 5K through the marathon at 3 different levels (25 miles per week / under 40 mpw / 60+ mpw). Each plan prescribes 3-4 runs per week and then allows flexibility (recovery runs or crosstraining) to reach the required distance for the week.
As I am prone to injury, I can't run everyday. It is also difficult for me to run everyday (especially this time of year) as I generally push the kiddos in the stroller (not an easy accomplishment in slush, packed snow & ice). I was intrigued that crosstraining could be 'counted' for running mileage (yes - I know it isn't the same due to body position, impact on joints, etc.) but the book didn't provide a conversion.
I checked with Coach Bob today and he said that you could multiply your swimming distance by 4 to get an equivalent running distance. So, in an average swim practice if I cover 1600 meters... that would be roughly 4 miles. Sweet!
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I haven't really selected a training plan just yet. The 3 I am considering are:
* SMART Coach (the plan generated by the Runners World website)
* FIRST to the Finish
* Pfitz Marathon Schedule A or Schedule B (maybe a hybrid of the 2?)
Anyone have any thoughts regarding choosing a training plan? For my first marathon, I started out with "FIRST Marathon" but midway through, I switched to a hybrid of SMART and FIRST... doing whatever of the 2 intrigued me most, seemed most doable/enjoyable.
> I checked with Coach Bob today
ReplyDelete> and he said that you could
> multiply your swimming distance
> by 4 to get an equivalent running
> distance
I came to that same conclusion last year. Maybe Coach Bob my blog post about it? Hehe.
As far as being prone to running injuries goes, I think you and I are in the same boat. I don't have any advice as to which training program to use, but whichever one you do choose, try to substitute one of two swims for runs. That's what I do and it keeps my injury rate down, while still achieving good running race results on low mileage.
I remember that post! TFS
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