Race Report: Afton Trail Run 50k

As far as sprints go, I usually only do them when I am training for a fast half marathon race and I try to follow Hal Higdon's advanced half marathon plan. It calls for 400m, 800m, and 1600m speed interval days, but he specifies the pace usually 400 is done at your 5k pace, 800 at 10k pace, etc. I admit I usually do the intervals slightly faster though. It's hard to tell if the structured training and harder speed work did much than just a few interval days and my usual winging it plan... my fastest half still is one that I did without training much, though the spring halfs that I trained for did improve on those particular course times, and only few seconds behind my fastest. And I did achieve my fastest 10k time amidst the half marathon training this spring (still need to put up these race reports). So I do think it helped at least a little. And I hurt a little less after the race... I used to be in pretty bad shape after a 100% effort race for a few days, I still get sore but its noticeably less. I think I'm done with intervals for a while though, going for an 18 mile race on labor day and marathon in October (road ones)... not planning on running these competitively, so just training for the miles. Trying to follow Hal's Intermediate 1 marathon plan jumping into week 8 this week.

The 70+ MPW folks... I wish I had that kind of free time. Reminds me when I was first really interested in running an ultra and bought Koerner's book. I think somewhere in the first few pages it said something like training for your first ultra isn't too different than a marathon 40-70 miles per week. I closed the book right there and don't think I've ever opened it up again lol. 40+ is a very rare week for me. I find it difficult to even get to 30 on many weeks, but that's what I shoot for. For example one of the 5 weeks in my shift rotation I work 72 hours, and have about an hour drive each way to work too. My dayshifts I am more stuck in my chair for 12+ hours straight, and so tired and fatigued from lack of sleep and sitting my legs are usually pretty tight after work and have to be careful to just do easy runs. But then I have a week off, and my nightshift week I don't have much issue getting workouts in, so I can get good weeks in but consistency is something I can not achieve working a 5 week rotating shift schedule.
 
Another note on training volume: I think I'm averaging 35-45 miles/week. Doing any more miles than that and I have to beg the wife for extra time and it really cuts into all the rest of my life. I read all the time people doing 70+ mpw training for marathons and I think that's only necessary if you're really trying to put down an impressive time. Something in the 3:30-3:00 range for marathons seems to require either higher volume or a lot better speed training than I'm doing.

My goals right now are just to stay healthy and enjoy the experience of super long races. With that goal in mind I don't think training volume or speed work is as crucial. Just get out and run when you can and focus on solid, safe, efficient form 100% of the time. Don't train fatigued or in some way that causes your form to suffer. Just get used to being on your feet with efficient form every time you're running and that's all I need to be ready for multi-hour races.

Great advice! Thanks :)
 
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40+ is a very rare week for me. I find it difficult to even get to 30 on many weeks, but that's what I shoot for. For example one of the 5 weeks in my shift rotation I work 72 hours, and have about an hour drive each way to work too. My dayshifts I am more stuck in my chair for 12+ hours straight, and so tired and fatigued from lack of sleep and sitting my legs are usually pretty tight after work and have to be careful to just do easy runs.

I feel your pain regarding the way shift work and long hours hampers the opportunity to make some miles. I’m grateful that I live a mile away from work and have a variety of surfaces during my run or walk to and from my place of employment. On my days off I try to do a variety of barefoot activities- lots of walking, some running, long hikes, yard work, etc.

12+ hour shifts are fatiguing and I’ve found I’ve got to be careful to do a bit of stretching/warmup on the days I decide to run home. Some of my coworkers have noticed (to their amusement) me getting out on the deck of the loader I run to stretch, do calisthenics, or do the staircase...a persons gotta make the most of the opportunities available.



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