Light on our Feet: Week of August 4

[limewave]

I also have the problem of deciding what to do training wise. I am riding a metric century on Saturday, and my mind is telling me HTFU and run 10 miles on Sunday as part of my half-marathon training. But since that will be my furthest distance thus far, I have a feeling my body will be quite tired on Sunday...

I don't know what to do. I'm riding a grueling 16 mile mountain bike loop on Friday and Sunday as part of my final training for a race next weekend. I'm supposed to run 10 miles this Sunday and then 9 the day of the race. It's two consecutive weeks that my long run is in jeopardy.

Right now, my thought is to get up early on Sunday and run a 5k before the mountain bike and then run another 10k later that evening.

I'm still not sure what I'll do the following week . . .

[katluvr]

Limewave and Fujichant,
I feel you confusion. I have always tried to mix biking and running and not always successful. This year I got a coach and we decided really what my "A" events were. Where I wanted to focus. We recently had a discussion about a biking event I have planned. I know I can bike distance and it is never a race and usually it is more about fun that time. So that being said we are really run, 10 K bike, 5 k run). Then Sunday is my 9 mile long run. I did do 9 miles last weekend. And right now the long runs ARE "slow" and until we get closer that is not an issue. We recently discussed a bike event in Oct. (probably a metric) and my 1/2 marathon is in Nov. So we will include biking...distance...but again keep main focus on running. We try --if at all possible--to do long runs on Sat. and keeping Friday as a rest day. That being said, d/t weather last weekend I did my run/bike/run workout on Sat. and long run on Sunday...that will mimic this weekend. My legs did feel a bit heavier and sluggish when I started the run, but felt better as run progressed.
Not sure if this helps any. I think it is just very important to really decide which is the "bigger" event or which needs more focused dedication. I always feel I can get a distance covered on my bike because I do not hang w/ a fast group. But running is what I personally want to improve right now.

Other option...find a duathlon or tri plan that mimics the distances of the 2 or more sports you are trying to fit in and use those plans. They should help you figure out what should/could come first.

The option of having a "coach" is not always affordable to all. But I think I have made a wise investment at this time!

[katluvr]

Limewave,
Another option is to "skip" next weeks long run (mtb event weekend).
If you work out your long run plan you can "catch" up by increasing mileage during the week or increasing the rate you "increase" your long run. Instead of going from 10 to 11, if you "skip" a week you can increase from 10- 12. In fact my plan does my be dong a "2 mile bump" up at one point.

Good luck. I don't know if any of my advice will work. But just some thoughts!