Recovery Run or just Running Slow?

I have two situations where I have been running and I am unsure that I am getting any real benefit.

  1. If I have a 3-4hr non-brick ride after lunch planned, I will get up early and run 45 minutes easy
  2. My wife and I share a car, so I get dropped off at the pool often and Run the 20-30 minutes home. This will be following an early morning run and preceeding another early run.

In situation #1, I think I feel better on the bike than I would have otherwise. I really hate riding/running late. Running early seems to have me ready for the afternoon ride.

For #2, I usually feel spent after the swim and really slog through that easy run time. Its only 2 miles from the pool, but sometimes I feel like I am not getting any real benefit and just digging a deeper hole for my next workout.

My typical run volume is low 40s during triathlon training, but I have every intention of improving that this year. This is the motivation for working in extra workouts.

Thanks in advance

For number 2, possibly nutritional? How long/intense are your sessions in the pool? I usually feel pretty beat up when I leave the pool and calories in some form are necessary if I’m doing anything else after. Its sometimes hard for me to stand up and get dressed after a solid hour of work in the pool.

Also possibly just a bit much depending on your total volume for the week.

I’m an idiot. Never occured to me that I might be hungry, honestly. I typically have a snack at 4pm, pool at 6:30 and home at 8-8:30 and starving. I’ll try something different tonight. I have been dreading that run home all morning. Thanks!

x2…I usually down a gel post pool workout if I’m running home. Really helps make it home…

On my current training plan, I have masters swimming Tuesday at 6am and then a 30-60 minute run at lunch. I find I need and crave a big breakfast on tuesdays to make that run then I get a medium sized lunch.

If you are getting 90 minutes of exercise with no calories taken in that might be your problem. I’m just now starting to work on taking on calories for long rides and runs.