Quote Originally Posted by Artista View Post
It's all a matter of perspective Someday I'll be very happy to accomplish what you did today. On the other hand, I'm proud that I've run more in the last month than I have since I was 5 years old
Artista, congratulations on starting a new running program! I used a similar program when I first started running again in 2008. First week was run 0:30, walk 4:30, do that 7 times. 35 minutes total movement (only 3:30 of which was running) and whooboy was I sore the next couple of days!! I credit that run/walk program with getting my muscles, tendons and ligaments in shape to run successfully, without any injuries! And I lost a pile of weight in the process.

I hope you didn't misinterpret my post to be at all demeaning towards people who are running slow-ish miles or doing run walk programs! It wasn't my intention and I guess I should clarify.... When I wrote that I'm running slow miles, what I meant is that I'm running more slowly that what I'm accustomed to, on purpose. My coach has me working through a protocol that's designed, in it's "Phase 1", to have the runner ALWAYS below her aerobic threshold. The idea is to build a massive aerobic capacity and greatly increase the amount of work that a runner can do while dumping very very little lactic acid into the system. Over time, one will be able to do more work, more quickly, while still being sub-aerobic threshold. Essentially, one is running slower to run faster!

I think most of us have a certain "cruising" pace that feels comfortable to each of us, whether that be 8 minute miles, 10 minute miles, or 12 minute miles. I used to go out and do most of my runs at a 10:30-ish pace. It just seemed to be the pace I settled into naturally. Well, according to this protocol that I'm following, that pace was too fast and my heartrate was too high. To keep my heartrate at sub-aerobic threshold levels (which for me is 143bpm or less), I need to be closer to 11:30 per mile right now. And, I've found this to be surprisingly difficult. It's getting more comfortable, since I've been doing this for ~ 2months now, but I often find myself having to dial back my pace because my heartrate is drifting up and exceeding the target. So, oftentimes I feel like I'm just sort of trudging along when my natural inclination would be to go faster. I have to admit though, that it seems to be working. When I finished that run this morning, I felt like I could have continued on for much much longer. My *legs* were starting to feel fatigued, but aerobically I felt fresh as a daisy and not tired at all. I think that's pretty cool.

If you're interested in reading more on the subject, the coach behind this philosophy (John "Hadd" Walsh) wrote a long paper on it. It's a bit long (OK, it's a LOT long) but it's a really interesting read if you are into that sort of thing.
http://www.angio.net/personal/run/hadd.pdf

Susan