Running Training Log - 00

Last month I decided that I would start training to run some of the ultras that happen in India. I wrote about it here. I am targetting to run the SRT ultra 25k. Its a small length but I'm hoping that this would be a good start to my trail-running journey.

The focus of the first month of training was mostly on slow easy runs, which was fun and I got some great volume work done. This was not as structured as I would have liked.
These runs were happening in zone-2 as indicated by the Garmin Instinct 2 solar that I use. I am fairly confident that this zone-2 is fairly inaccurate. I willl walk through the reasons below.

I ran my First Half Marathon on top of this training and it was as bad as one can imagine. My training was lacking entirely in the non-slow department.

Since then I have revised my training plan. I need to incorporate more speed and interval sessions in my training.

Revised training plan

I have been doing a lot of research about the most optimal type of training I need to do. Here are the bullet-points

• Long, Slow runs to build aerobic base and to get the body used to running for longer sessions. This is akin to time spent on the saddle for cycling. This is about 60% of my volume roughly
• Interval Training: This is done once a week. The idea is to get the heart to hit its maximum heart-rate once a week.
• Threshold run: This is running at a slightly elevated pace than my z2 runs. This is mainly to train for timed races and such.

Needless to say since I've not hit my maxHR in a bunch of months, all of my data on the Garmin is wrong at this point.

Last week was a rest week. This week is a data-collection / datum week. Today is an interval session

Strength training

Previously I was attempting to run and hit-the-gym every alternate days. This was not sustainable. Now I have decided to rely on body-weight exercises and pylometrics to train for running. This is happening on weekdays.

I hit the gym on Sundays and complete a very long sesison. This is the only gym session in my routine. So far this looks much more sustainable for my lifestyle.

A note on Zone2 HR

I consider myself a beginner runner, so I am not strictly focusing on keeping my HR below a certain value for my zone2 runs. I am using the RPE method and sort of winging it as I go along.

I will revisit this and refine my approach later.

At this point my zone2 HR is 116 - 138 and I can maintian a pace of 11min/km with this. Like I said, this is nothing to write home about. I have a long way to go.

I am also getting a pair of New Running Shoes - 01