Question for experienced runners/coaches

[dragitoff]

I've been working some crazy long hours at work the past few weeks. My running schedule prior to this mayhem was the following:

Monday 3.1 miles
Tuesday 3.1 miles
Thursday 3.1 miles
Saturday 12 miles

With the crazy schedule, I've been missing quite a few runs. 2 weeks ago, I missed every weekday run and only ran a 5k on Saturday. Last week, I ran 2 weekdays and then 12 miles on Saturday.

The week that I only ran the 5k on Saturday, I had a PR. I've got a race this weekend (5k). My question is would I be better off killing myself and getting 1-2 weekday runs in before my race this weekend or giving my body that extra rest and go out there Saturday and shoot for a PR?

I've been coming into work a little earlier on the days I don't run, which means I get up at the same time, but what it does is helps me get out of work by 8 or so at night vs. 9, 10, or later so I can get to bed a little earlier (as well as see my kids before they go to bed).

I want to do what's best for my body and my time this week. Just curious what people's take is. I've been running seriously for a year now so I'm not worried about losing my endurance, especially since I just ran 12 miles this past Saturday.

 

[Reifsy]

You shouldn't kill yourself to get the runs in this week. No runs you do in the next few days are going to make much of a difference for a race this weekend and it sounds like you might just exhaust yourself with all the hours put in at work. If you can go out and run 12 miles then a 5k should be no problem. It's nice to get an easy run in to loosen up the legs but I think you can do well either way. Good luck, i hope things calm down at work for you.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I agree with Reifsy. You have been doing well with training. You definitely do not want to injure yourself so be mindful of how you are feeling as you step off in your event. You probably won't be able to continue with the stellar performance under the current training conditions you are forced into for many more events. I hope that you will be able to get in some better training time soon. Have a great event this weekend!

 

[dragitoff]

We should be slowing down a little over the next week or so, and trust me, I'm so thankful we're as busy as we are. I know it's a blessing to have tons of business coming at you in this economic climate. I had planned on getting back on schedule this week, but a ton of new orders came in (I'm the sales manager at my business) so that created additional work for this week.

I'm ready to get back to a normal routine of running almost every day. Before I started training for a 1/2 marathon 6 weeks ago, I was running 3.1 miles 6 days a week.

It's become as much of a part of my day as brushing my teeth. It's killing me not running but I also feel the fatigue (both mental and physical) lately trying to do it all.

Did I mention I'm also a youth pastor so that takes up 5-10 hours per week. lol.

I need a Disney vacation!

 

[cewait]

Actually, with a race this weekend, I would just have you get a short and light run in if you can fit it in. Otherwise I agree that you will not lose much if any fitness.

Though, as a coach I would have a talk about getting a little more rest. I know this is temporary, and that is something that can be managed. Make sure that if possible you get your time.

Have fun this weekend

 

[dragitoff]

My job is very stressful and I'm usually very drained mentally when I get home. I usually am in bed before 10pm each night and wake up at 5am so I'm getting at least 7 hours per sleep per night. That's one thing I always make sure of. I'm not a "sleep late guy" on the weekend, but since I'm no longer a slave to caffeine I have no problems going to bed early and sleeping through the night.

I'm only 33, but my friends pick on me calling me old since I'm always yawning around 7:30 every night, even on weekends. lol.

I'm pretty sure DW and I will get a run in tomorrow morning. We just bought some new winter gear and want to test it out before our race Saturday.

 

[windwalker]

I wish you luck getting back to normal, I work weird hours also and I'm 60 and train 5 to six days a week for between 20 and 30 miles a week. I'm not you of course but if I were in the same situation I would do a couple of easy runs this week and then a moderate 5K this weekend. Trying for a PR when your not 100% is asking for trouble. Once again that's me, I know my body, I don't know yours.

Dave

 

[dragitoff]

DW and I got our and did our 3.1 run this morning. Wasn't a race pace by any means, but it never is when we're running at 5am together. I run alot faster than her so I run her pace to make sure I can at least see her. It felt good to get out and run this morning.

Unless I run Friday morning, I don't see any opportunity to run again before the race. I'm usually at the church until 8:30 or so every Wednesday night and then I'll either have to come back to work afterwards for a few hours or come in before 6am tomorrow since we're doing our end of fiscal year audit tomorrow and everything has to be completed prior to beginning.