Catching up on some QOTD.....
ATTQOTD: (today) I don't think we have ever done a character meal.
ATTQOTD: (yesterday?) Rule or guideline you go by to increase weekly mileage/and long run?
DO NOT DO WHAT I AM DOING! (
@DopeyBadger...look away, you may not like this response!) I've tried a variety of methods including the 10% rule. For this training cycle I am taking the Rocky Balboa approach and beating my body up and pushing past normal comfort zones with higher mileages for the first eight weeks. Settling in with less mileage but increased speedwork for the next four weeks and then trying to hold on and stay healthy and rested for the final four weeks. I have long runs planned during the 16 week cycle of 14, 15 (twice), 16, 17, 18, 20+ and try to do one every other week. Not sure it's the smartest strategy, I've been quite tired and exhausted the past 3 weeks. But I'm halfway there and hopefully the toughest part is behind me. We'll see on race day if I get better results but it has been interesting to see what I am capable of when I push myself.
ATTQOTD (Wednesday?): how do you determine what your goal is for a race? How far out do you make your decision?
I typically plan my running events 6-9 months in advance. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
I determine my goal far in advance as well but base it on the distance of the race, the type of course (flat, hilly, sea level, mountains, etc), and prior results.
For 10k or less events, my main goal is to PR, but I also have an "A" goal of a vanity time that I think I am capable of attaining if everything went perfectly that day. Have not acheived an "A" goal yet.
For longer races, especially marathons, I have many goals:
Finish upright and healthy is goal #1.
Beat my PR is #2.
Vanity time is #3.
BQ is # 4.
On race weekend, I check the weather and reevaluate what goals are attainable and revise if needed.