breaking up a run

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Spleen

2009-07-29 5:08 PM

Expert

838

West Palm Beach, FL

Subject: breaking up a run

We have a swim group that meets up 3X/week in the early morning. The spot on the beach where we meet is about 3 miles from my house so lately I've been running over, doing the swim (2600 yards or so) and running home either 3 or 4 miles depending on the loop I take home. I'm about 14 weeks out in a HIM training plan. My longest run ever was about 8 miles, six months ago and these days I'll do a steady 6 no problem. Running longer gets a bit boring and I've been a little gun shy about running longer since a tendonitis problem las winter. I know I have plenty of time to build my run between now & then, but will splitting up a planned 60-80 minute run in to 2 parts hurt my readiness for longer running distances? I like doing the run/swim/run thing because it means I'm gonna have a 2+ hour workout which I imagine is helpful in preparing for a longer race. Should I expect there to be a remarkable difference in my run stamina or fitness by breaking up a 7 miler with a swim in between?

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KSH

2009-07-29 5:17 PM

in reply to: #2316020

Champion

10471

Dallas, TX

Subject: RE: breaking up a run

I'm sure some of the coaches will chime in and they will have better input... so I'll simply speak to me and how it works for me... and take it as you will.

For me, I physically feel different running 4 miles straight compared to 8-10-12 miles... etc. The longer I go, the more stuff starts to hurt and break down. So for me, I wouldn't break up a long run, simply because I know that it's not the same.

BUT a lot of people will probably tell you that it's just fine.

I just know what does and does not work for me training wise.

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2xtreme

2009-07-30 1:10 AM

in reply to: #2316020

Member

180

Kayak Point, WA

Subject: RE: breaking up a run

Not the same for me either. Different pace also.
It is building miles and is good training, but I wouldn't count my long run's as long run's if I stopped running in the middle for a long swim

Michael

sublimekid27

2009-07-30 7:50 AM

in reply to: #2316020

Regular

Subject: RE: breaking up a run

Yeah I don't imagine that strategy would be all that effective. If you can run 6 miles pretty steadily you have plenty of time to build up to the half marry distance for your HIM. Personally I feel there is a different psyche and physiology to short and long runs, which I have discussed with other runners/triathlete before who agree. For long runs settling in to the correct pace for that distance run for that day is critical and sometimes that can take up to 3 miles. So by splitting it up into 3 or 4 mile runs you probably are not getting used to that settling in effect that you need for longer runs.

Experior

2009-07-30 8:10 AM

in reply to: #2316020