Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Summer Running Training Tips

Once again, the blog title is more to obtain more hits on the blog than to describe the post.  However, we've had the onset of an early summer here in Buffalo.  Typically, June would be a pleasant month for running, with high temps in the mid 70s, and evening temps, when I'm running, in the low 70s or high 60s. But, we're already into about our 5th or 6th heat wave of 2012, and summer doesn't start until tomorrow!

I have, however, been training fairly well, despite the weather, and the fact that clay court tennis season is in full swing.  Last Friday I played nearly 2 straight hours of tough tennis against a tough opponent (who beat me).  We had many long rallies that left me as tired (or more) than hard fartleks or intervals.  I think I ran 4 times, played tennis once, and then took off the other 2 days, but typically try to lift weights on the off days.

From here on out, summer running is more "maintenance" running for me, until I begin a serious surge in mid-August, to prepare for cross country and trail races.  Where does the mile fall into all this?  I don't know, but Big Steve is expecting a sub-5:20 from me solely based on my increased Vitamin D level (now at an acceptable 47 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter).

Mark