So this week my objective was to increase my time spent running and reduce the frequency of repeats (it would look like this: run 12 minutes, rest 1 minute, run 12 minutes, rest 1 minute, run 6 minutes = 30 minutes of accumulative running) whereas last week my goal was to run shorter times but more repeats.
I clearly noticed the increase in length of the effort and though I didn’t find it to be intolerable, that last 6 minute effort showed me that my energy system adaptation was definitely in transition; my legs felt good and I had a nice stride, but my heart’s ability to oxygenate the blood to the muscles was lagging.
This didn’t really come as a surprise to me because my history as an athlete has always been to participate in ballistic events (as opposed to endurance) and I knew to expect this transitional phase.
I just didn’t realize how slow and uncomfortable it was going to be! Note to self: switch to morning sessions. Endurance training in the evening is much harder with the air quality at its lowest.
Even though I know my strength and ability in the gym lifting weights is highly developed, it’s specific to the tasks I do there and the activities I participate in that use that specificity of training.
Still, I thought there would be a higher degree of crossover and becoming a runner would be a little easier. Wishful thinking.
But the good news is that now I’m closer to developing my training base from which I can start following a particular program and report on its efficacy.
Today I’m starting a book titled, Brain Training For Runners
I’ll let you know if this will be the plan I use. I like the idea of “brain” training. Somehow it sounds like there is a little less gasping for breath involved.
