So - training well under way now. Pushing 50 - 60 miles per week.
I have started dabbling in the "Hadds" method of training as i just want to get faster at distance. One of my main problems is that i am always trying too hard. This results in my training swaying towards the faster types of running.
The Hadds method relies on keeping the heart rate (HR) down at a low level which in turn keeps the speed down. The reason for this is that at a low HR a certain type of blood vessels is produced that work better for keeping lactate at bay. With more of these you will be better at keeping lactate at bay. So the theory is as you keep the HR at a low level, you get better at removing lactate, which in turn enables you to eventually run faster at the same HR (coz the HR increases to clear out the lactate, but if its already under control then it stays low - so you can gradually run faster with the same HR as before).
I hope that makes sense?
Anyway all my long runs (10m and above) are at 125-135 bpm which seems to be averaging around 8.30 - 9.00 mpm pace. Lets see how this changes over time. I will use Furzton as a target to see how this new approach works for me - earlier this year my 2 marathons were both 3:34 based on my usual (faster) training. If i run Furzton much faster than this time then it worked.
I am using my usual training plan (P&D) to structure run lengths - but speeds will all be dictated by HR - the only differences will be for the MP runs and any races i do between now and Furzton (Oct).
Races i have planned are some park runs (not real races i know, but useful for short speedy work). A 10k next weekend and a couple of halves. All these 3 races should also give me an idea if the Hadds approach is working based on race times earlier in the year.
Current SB's for these distances are:
10k - 44:05
Half - 1:36:51
Mara - 3:34:12
training between these times and the next ones will be Hadds based so it will be interesting to see how much difference it makes.
Cheers for reading
