You are reading a single comment by @Spares and its replies. Click here to read the full conversation.
  • Depends what your training looks like at the moment. If your mileage is low, you can progress just by running more; running 4/5 x/wk is better than running 3 x/wk, and getting a weekly long run up to 10 miles is better than only doing 4 or 5. 30 miles/week is better than 20, etc.

    If you feel you've got a good aerobic base and/or can't spare any more time than you are at the moment, then you want to be doing some sessions specific to 5k pace, which can include intervals, e.g. 6-8 x 800, 4-6 x 1km, 3-4 x mile, but also some continuous tempo runs around 10k - half marathon pace, to improve threshold. A good weekly schedule might have 1 x interval session (3k - 5k pace), 1 x tempo run, 1 x long run and a couple of easy/recovery runs. If you're only running 4x/wk, maybe alternate interval and tempo runs, and just have the one quality session (plus long run) each week, because you want a reasonable proportion of your running being an easy pace.

    So it depends what your schedule looks like at the moment. Get your miles up if you can, and only add in extra quality sessions gradually.

  • Trying to get up to 100 miles/wk but its hurting, legs ache a lot all the time. Feel sloooow although my times aren't dropping off significantly. So HTFU and run through it or ease off?

  • Woah! You're clearly made of tough stuff but the odd cut-back week is always good even if you're used to high mileage. I've snuck over 100 miles all of twice I think, with the biggest continued weekly mileage being 80, 97, 97 (no running OCD here), 80, 100 - but off a general base of 60 - 70 mpw. If you're building up, I'd have a cut-back every 3-4 weeks, maybe down to 50-60 mpw to let the training benefit sink in and recharge the legs.

About

Avatar for Spares @Spares started