Groups/

Ultra Runners

I Moved
I Moved Sendmail

Mileage and Damage

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

How many of you employ periodization principles into your ultrarunning? I have had a pattern of building up mileage twice per year mostly because of the desire to excel in lots of other things--but also to avoid the body damage. It is not unusual to meet former ultrarunners who tell you not to do too many races or folks who have had to quit because of career-ending injury. Are there any other ultrarunners who drop mileage down to as low as 15-20 miles a week supplemented by hill running and other strength building modes of exercise?

Respond

5 posts

scroll to bottom
  • I Moved
    I Moved Sendmail

    When I say periodization I mean different volumes and intensities of running and different activities throughout the year. I probably don't drop below 100 miles in a month in a low month (unless injured) but I have met people who run like one 60-mile month during the summer and then ramp back up for the fall. What do you do? High miles year-round?

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • James B.
    James B. Sendmail

    I think keeping steady mileage reduces injury. Most injuries are when you are increasing mleage. I use a Matt Fitzgerald book Becoming Your Own Coach and pick the brains of ultrarunners like Mike Wardian and Karl Meltzer. Wardian stays 120 miles per week year round. Meltzer trains on trails and does more 70-80 with emphasis on back to backs and trails. Bith guys are elite runners. I am just a wannabe. I did a 50k with 30-40 miles per week last year in VA at 5:21 and my marathon time recently is 3:08. Its hard on trails to stay close to 9:00/miles. I am training for two 50 milers this year and plan to stay with 55-65 mile weeks with 15 races ranging from 5ks for tempo to 50.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • I Moved
    I Moved Sendmail

    Good points. I think the trails are easier on the body for sure .

    I teach tobacco cessation classes and people always talk about the 90-year old uncle who smoked all his life. They never talk about the 99% of his peers who die in their 50's.

    With running I was thinking more along the lines of joint replacements, neuromas, femoral neck stress fractures, hip labrum tears, and loss of cartilage etc that take people out of the sport. You don't hear as much from these folks. but occaisionally you meet them. They are people who raced in the 1980's and 1990's.

    You're probably right that acute injuries are more prevalent in the build-ups ;0

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Chris M.
    Chris M. Sendmail

    I incorporate Strength and Conditioning twice/week into my training. I also do either Joint mobility or eischens yoga every day. Even if you don't run, the joints are the first to go as we age. So might as well keep them lubed and loose for as long as possible.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Hyperphil
    Hyperphil Sendmail

    I believed in periodization until last year, when I blew out my pr in the bear 100 at 23 hours only two weeks after a sub 26 at Wasatch. Just run, man.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

Other Topics in the Ultra Runners Forum