How to Break Marathon Monotony: Focus on Shorter Races
If you want to be a better marathoner, you can't only run marathons
Ask yourself this question: Am I a marathoner? If your answer is yes, skip your next season of marathon training and focus on shorter distances.
This week’s post is sponsored by Healthy Kids Running Series in Haddonfield/Cherry Hill. As you might know, Carly and I have been the coordinators for a few seasons now, but this year we brought on a friend to help out!
Our run series allows 2-year-olds through middle schoolers to run in a 5-week race series. Check us out and if you have a little who would like to register, you can use this link: Healthy Kids Running Series Haddonfield
I know, I said it. You can still identify as a marathon and not be training for a marathon.
If season after season all you ever do is train for marathons, there's a good chance you're missing out on quality faster running.
When you dip down in race distance and train for shorter races, you greatly improve your speed, your race tactics, your running form, and you can try different training philosophies.
Instead of running long and "slow" season after season, take a break from that grind and instead, focus on only short races.
Speed
Your speed will drastically improve because now you're running 5k pace and faster. This added speed will improve your running economy and how you are able to handle slower paces like threshold and long run pace. And because you now have some speed in your legs, your ability to lower your PRs in shorter races allows you to take more risks when you get back to the 'thon.
Race Tactics
When you focus on short races, you are able to race more often - at least once or twice a month - giving yourself a chance to improve race tactics, strategize for different types of races, and learn new skills.
You can fine-tune your race day nerves and figure out what you should be eating and how you need to prep your body to run fast.
Race tactics are important and when you only race 1 time a season, you tend to forget what you need.
Running Form
Want to improve your running form?
Get on some hills.
Get up them, get down them.
Get on a track. Run some quarters.
Power through mile-paced speed work and I guarantee you'll work on your running form out of necessity.
Training Styles
Want to try doubles? Or maybe faster long runs? Interested in two workouts a week?
During training for shorter races, you can try this.
When you're training for shorter races, you can try new things and they won't destroy your training if they blow up in your face.
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Are marathons great? They sure are. But that doesn't mean that every training cycle has to end with a marathon for it to be successful or even worth training for.
Using a 3-4 month block of training to focus on speed training and race skills is a super valuable skill for when you do return to the marathon.
Because, hey, you're a marathoner. Right?
Have questions? Reply to the email and I’ll get back to you.
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Friday’s Action Plan
Get away from always doing the same type of training “just because” and instead think about how your training can help your long-term goals.
What Has My Attention:
Guide to breaking a 5 minute mile
Do you really need fancy shoes?
Prevent and manage shin splints
Why you should be focusing on your running form
Quote of the Week:
The most successful people aren't the ones who had it easy. They're the ones who didn't give up when they had it hard.
Thanks for reading until the end. You can certainly get a hold of me in any number of ways, but if you have a comment about this post, click below.
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