…I’m stuck in a rut.
Due to scheduling/work/family issues, I’ve totally eliminated swimming lately and have been racing Du’s only, and just a few at that. The format for these races is typically 3/18/3, and I’ve been achieving MOP-to-slightly-better results.
During the Fall and Winter I maintained a consistent base-building period of two runs/week and 2-3 rides (indoor) totalling just under 5 hours/week. For June/July/August of this year I have been consistently hovering around the 8 hour/week mark with a schedule as follows:
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 4 mile treadmill run at lunch (7:30/mile)
Wednesday: AM Brick - 20 mile bike (just < 60 minutes) with 6 mile run (43-45 minutes) PM Weight training - upper body/core at lunch (50 minutes)
Thursday: 4 mile treadmill run at lunch (7:30/mile)
Friday: **AM **long run, 8-10 miles (8:30/mile) PM Weight Training - upper body/core at lunch (50 minutes)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: long ride, 50-60 miles (3-3.5 hours), as hilly as I can find here on Long Island
So, what I’ve tried to do is aim for quality over quantity, but I’m far from happy with the results. Over the past three years, my cycling time has increased greatly, thus eating into my running time, which used to net me 30-40 miles per weak. So know my bike splits are much improved, but the run splits have been horrible. There’s just not enough time for it all!!
So here’s my question: Should I just continue as is, hoping that consistency will give me some modest gain over time? Or am I better off “periodizing,” so to speak, between heavier run vs. cycling weeks? I feel like I am sorely missing the run miles, but I don’t want to give up bike time to get them…
Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated!!
