I was thinking about my training this past week and reflecting on what I've done in the past to get to the point where I was easily running 70 - 80 miles a week. What it comes down to is steady, consistent progression over a course of many years.
I started running in 5th grade. Well, I kinda of started to run in the 5th grade. I discovered that I really liked running the mile during PE, so I started to train to run the fastest mile at my school. Prior to running, I was a gymnast - pretty good for my level, as I often won events for Bar, Vault and Floor exercise and took the All Around frequently. But...I got to the point where some of moves really, really scared me. I have a fear of heights that is pretty intense. The fact that I was able to do any gymnastics is amazing when I think about it.
Anyways, after I made the decision to quit gymnastics, I started to try to find other sports. I had ballet, which I started at age 2. And then I started training in Shaolin Kung Fu, since there was a studio right next to my ballet studio. And then I added running into the mix.
In Middle School, my Dad signed me up for Cross Country & Track and Field. Very exciting stuff. The distance for Cross Country in Middle School is 1.5 miles. So, I worked up to being able to do 2 miles a day (around and around and around the track at SJCC). I ran a couple of 5Ks in 6th grade, and I remember struggling during my first 5K. I remember running somewhere in the 24 minutes range, which I was very happy about since my best mile time in 5th grade was 8:13. By the time I was in 8th grade, I think I done a few 4-5 mile runs and some interval workouts but not a whole lot. The longest run in 8th grade was at Humboldt's running camp - I think I ran 7 - 8 miles one time because I got lost on a run with the Camp Counselors. Thinking back, they must have been jogging. Hahaha.
Anyways, the point of my ramble is that I am currently training like I was training in the Summer and off seasons in 6th and 7th grade..minus the ballet and the kung fu, but I am doing Yoga which I can argue is similar. So, I have a long way to go before I am back to doing even 30 miles per week. But I feel like I am taking the right approach. I was rarely injured, unless I sprained my ankle which happened frequently before the start of a cross country or track season. I think those sprains happened because my legs were very fatigued and I wasn't paying enough attention.
Yesterday I went looking for a new training shoe. I tried on 4 pairs of shoe, and ended up purchasing my first New Balance shoe, the Fresh Foam Zante. I liked the shoe because it fits my foot really nicely, it is flexible and light, it has a low offset, and it just seemed to give me feet and legs the extra spring I've been looking for. I am not going to completely give up on my Glycerines (since I only have 60 - 70 miles in them!!) but I think I just found my new favorite shoe. My Glycerines are still a great, cushy shoe - which may be perfect for when I am running 9 - 1 0 miles.
I ran 1 mile in them yesterday (and walked a mile). Today, I walked two miles in the morning - Phill and I enjoyed a falefal for breakfast this morning and then walked over to Peet's - and ran 3 miles this evening. My feet and legs feel great tonight.
Tomorrow my plan is to run 2 - 3 miles and then go the Power Yoga video. If I feel really good, I will also do the Core video. :) Then...I get to finish my Compensation Management assignments (woots!), do laundry, and play with Dunsmuir. Oh! And I am getting a haircut in the AM.
Looking forward to having a nice Sunday. I hope you all are too.
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