Since shifting my focus from distance track events (3k steeple, 5k, and 10k) to trail running, my training has changed drastically. When I was training for track, I was completing 11hr training weeks with about 40 miles of running, 2 flat workouts, 6-7hr of cross training, and 2 lifting sessions. Now, I am completing 14-16hr training weeks with 24 miles of flat running, 2 uphill workouts, 30 miles of trail running/hiking, 3hr of cross training, and 2 lifting sessions. It’s fun to be doing more training that is directly applicable to my future races, but the shift toward much more uphill and technical running has been challenging.
I have run for most of my life, and trail running has always been a part of that; however, trail running has never been the central piece of my training. Now, with the majority of both my volume and intensity coming from the trails, I am noticing how much less conditioned I am for this type of running. A flat run at an easy, recovery effort is effortless to achieve, but running easy uphill feels almost impossible. Even when I go at what feels like a snail’s pace, an uphill run still feels harder than a flat run. This is just something I will have to continue to work on and adjust to; the more miles I put in uphill, the easier it will become.
Watch the video to see how I am adjusting and what I do on days where I don’t feel great.
