Comments on: Does Your Training Include Recovery Weeks?

By: Yuri | myTreadmillTrainer.com

Yuri | myTreadmillTrainer.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:44:50 +0000

I would have to say that recovery is by far the most important component of any training program.

As a former professional soccer player, I can tell you first hand that it’s not the training but the recovery that determines your performance.

If you guys are looking for some great training schedules and guided running workouts have a look at http://www.myTreadmillTrainer.com

By: Eric Gervase

Eric Gervase — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:30:29 +0000

Mine are every 3-4 weeks or so. I typically use Higdon Plans for my long races. It’s “worked” so far. Haven’t tried anything else before though.

By: Rachel M

Rachel M — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:02:09 +0000

Hi, This week is a “rest” week for me too. I have 1 easy 3 miler + TONS of core work. 1 interval workout. + 18 miler on sat. I was even questioning the lack of running miles, but the workouts are still hard- just not running hard.

Enjoy your rest week!

By: kch

kch — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:47:21 +0000

Thanks for the book recommendation, @robinson52 – I’ll check it out!

By: robison52

robison52 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:33:18 +0000

Yup, I also train using hard/easy system and not only do I have recovery days, but also recovery weeks (every fourth week is my recovery week) and recovery months (the month starting after my yearly Las Vegas Marathon). I need recovery days so I can give my harder workouts my best efforts. By the way, “Advanced Marathoning” by Pfitzinger and Douglas is my favorite book for training schedules as well…it’s a must for every runner’s library!!

By: kch

kch — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:45:22 +0000

@crossn81 – every 3-5 weeks does seem to be about right for me…but I imagine this would vary a bit depending on the intensity of your training.

@cyberpenguin – it does feel good. Thanks for the good wishes!

By: cyberpenguin

cyberpenguin — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:35:50 +0000

Wow, great job! You must feel wonderful knowing that you can complete the distance, hit all your pace markers, & still feel like you’ve got something to give at the end. And, you’re almost half-way through your training plan. Good luck with the New York Marathon!

This sounds like a great plan! Thanks for the information; I’m definitely going to keep it in mind for when I start marathon training.

By: crossn81

crossn81 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:24:32 +0000

All of the training schedules I’ve followed for any distance have some type of easy week. Can’t really disagree with Pfitzinger!! I know that I feel a lot better after a stepback week. I’m currently using a modified version of Higdon’s Intermediate II and one from the marathon class. Higdon I think has a stepback week ever 3-5 weeks in an 18 week schedule and the class has one every month. So that seems to be about right on!