Need experienced training advice!

[jkmmah]

Like the title says, I need your help and advice please. Here's my situation...

I'm not a runner. Never have been. I am a 33 year old woman who had been overweight all her life until about 5 years ago. I dropped the weight and began exercising. I grew to love aerobic classes so much so that one year ago I got my certification and now I teach classes.

Dh and I are motivated and set on the 2009 marathon (full for him, half for me). So I have a year to properly train for the half. I've gotten the books and two weeks ago began my training by alternating walking with jogging at 5 min intervals, then 10 min jog/5 min walk intervals. Next week I'll move onto 15/5, and so forth.

The problem lies with classes I teach and the energy I expend in there. I teach three days/week (M,W,F) a two hour class that combines cardio with strength training. Then three other days (T, Th, Sat) I teach a one hour cardio class.

I'm finding that running on the treadmill after having already taught, especially on my two hour class days, that I'm already spent. I'm going through the motions but don't feel I have much to give, and I've only gotten up to 10 min jogging at a time. I'm wiped out when I get home. I do try to nibble something between my class and the treadmill, a banana or an orange, something, but I still feel like I'm running on next to empty.

However, I do not want to give up my classes. I love what I do.

My training schedule says to go from three jog sessions this week to four next week, and four days/week here on out. Running on the weekends is out for me as dh is deployed so I have no one to keep our daughters while I run. Besides, Sunday is my one recovery day per week where I don't do any exercise other than a light walk.

So I basically have M-F (while kids are in school) to fit in the jogs. If I stick with only three runs per week instead of the recommended four, then I could keep two of the run days as T and Th when I have a lighter teaching schedule, and only have to do one jog on a busy two hour class day. But if I go to four runs/week then two of those days will have to be on my busy days after a two hour class.

I guess I'm already feeling some slight overtraining coming on and want to correct this ASAP. Please advise me all you can on how to proceed. I'll take all the advice I can get with the exception of telling me to stop teaching in favor of training. I love to teach too much to give it up. I need to find a balance to do both. Thank you! (Sorry this got so long!)

 

[princessrunner]

I am certainly not an expert, as I just completed my first half but, having 2 very active kids and a husband who works for himself and not around very often, I have had to work very hard to get my training in. I used the schedule for running a half marathon in the Marathoning for Mortals book and it fit into my schedule nicely. It calls for a run on Monday, XT Tuesday, rest on Wednesday, run Thursday, XT Friday and a long endurance run on Saturday (when DH is actually around to watch the kids). From the sounds of it, you are going to have a hard time finding a plan that works for you. I guess I would offer that you check around to the different plans, i.e., galloway, higdon, etcetera and see if you can modify any of them for your particular scheduling. You get so much aerobic and XT with your classes that you really just need to get your feet and legs prepared for the pounding. At my gym, we have an aerobics/spinning instructor who has qualified for the Boston marathon and is in training right now. She runs early a.m. to get it out of the way before she teaches. This may work for you also.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Cruella de mom]

wow,way to go! I have a few ideas on this:

#1. Split up your workout times. Run several hours after teaching . While I was training for Goofy this year, I ran a split workout on Wednesdays. Basically, I ran 8 to 12 miles in the morning and then another 5 in the evening. The rest in between really helped, even though I was tired in the evening.

#2. Also consider looking for a modified training plan like a triathlon plan. My husband is a triathlete and his workouts are built into "bricks". Look up an olympic triathlon training plan and replace your aerobics for the swim or bike brick. You will notice that they have a very different build up than a standard run plan and this might work better for you.

#3. If I were you, I would concentrate most of my efforts on making sure I got one long run in a week. With the amount of exercise you are already doing, I think missing one or two of the weekly maintenance runs would not be a problem. You don't need the fitness, you just need to get your muscles used to the montony of running.

Good Luck!
Cecilia

 

[jkmmah]

Just giving this a little bump in hopes of some more opinions. Thanks!

 

[gatorphipps]

Here is what I am thinking....
You could run on the days you have just the 1 hour class. On those days you run, don't put as much into the class ...I am not saying slack, but you don't have to go all out.
OR..run b/4 the class.
You will have to get long runs in at least to 8 miles (I would recomend more than 8 though). You have a great aerobic base, but running is different than aerobics. I learned this when I went from doing classes to running. So when you start training, you will need to get 3 runs a week...IMHO, you only need 3 days, I do 3, even for a marathon. I xtrain with biking and swimming b/c I Tri....but when I am training for a running race, I focus on the runs.

I hope this helps...You have plenty of time to train so don't worry.

 

[swim-mom]

Try the C25k program it is only 3 days a week, and will be a great way for you to start out. THe program only last 9 weeks, but you have enough time afterwards to build up to 4 days a week. Early burnout is going to be hard since you are busy, but if you put a limit of 3 days a week you will be fine

Good luck I too am aiming for the 1/2!!