Subject: Can your run be maintained with total stress, or do you need intensity? Hey BT - question on run training. I'm entering something of a bike focus - both because my bike currently sux azz and secondary to a slightly strained hammy. Turns out that I can run - even longer distances (for me, that's 10-14 miles) - without aggravating the leg if I stay at low Z3 or less and keep a high cadence. My run right now is as good as it's ever been. I'm doing around 35 miles a week, with a Z3-Z4 interval or hill rep, a tempo, a long and a HM pace run (with another recovery/fun run or two thrown in depending on the week). That's what has worked for me run-training-wise over the years. I'm wondering if keeping the run mileage close - say around 30 mpw, while upping the bike a bunch but cutting out any run intensity above the very bottom of Z3 for 5-6 weeks will lead to a big loss or a little loss on the run, and I have no experience with how this approach might work. It feels like without the intensity, the added bike will be manageable and the leg will be able to heal (I hope - or I'll change all this up). I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with going from intensity to steady volume and keeping about (not exactly - has to decrease some) the same level of run fitness. Thoughts? Am I thinking about this correctly, or am I way off? Thanks!!
Matt |