QUALITY vs. QUANTITY
I've been thinking a lot about this lately. {Deb are you inside my head?}
In years past, I've run a lot of races. I have a boat load wee bit of an obsessive nature and I'm always intrigued by how many times I can do something. May I present the evidence of my crazy choice to run 17 half marathons in the year 2014 alone? I went on to rack up 45 total races that year too. It's just the same for seeing how long I can do something. Have you ever heard of anyone else pool running for 2 hours and 45 minutes straight? Yes, more evidence.
I certainly can't say that Quantity has been the best approach. Sure, I've absolutely had a lot of fun and I love the half marathon distance. But, I admit I've found myself participating in races just to increase a number. I wonder though, when will the number be big enough? Will it ever be?
For 2016, I want to try more of a Quality approach. I don't have anything on my schedule until mid March, at least not yet. There's no need to race every weekend {repeat often}. My recent injury reminded me I enjoy getting up at a normal time on weekend mornings and leisurely enjoying my coffee instead of racing to a race.
Ah, but I do love those numbers. Could it just be the winters blues talking this Quality nonsense? When everything is sun shiny bright and the birds begin to sing, will I change my mind? Maybe. We'll see.
Any number addicts out there?
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I think it's so easy for runners to fall into the quantity dilemma when it might not always be the best route for us. Interesting to think about isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteYes. I thinks it's a balance that everyone has to figure out for themselves.
DeleteI won't lie, I was totally into that mileage challenge last year! Watching the numbers add up was kind of addicting.
ReplyDeleteWhat race are doing in March? Come to Sarasota and run that half with me!
I'm registered for my hometown half marathon. Sarasota would be fun!
DeleteI am not a numbers person to a fault. I can't even tell you my exact weekly mileage but I do know it's low and I'm good with that. My 10-yr old is a numbers girl and collects things just to have certain numbers. It's like the thrill of the acquisition. It's psychological I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to fathom you don't know your weekly mileage. Most runners I know could spit that out in a heartbeat. Ha. I bet your way is less stressful.
DeleteHello...I ran 38 races! But I don't streak or run a crazy number of miles - with 7 halfs, I only ran 969 miles. I am not really obsessed with numbers. I just enjoy crossing the finish line.
ReplyDeleteI figured you were higher than that! You definitely passed me with the race count in 2015. The year I ran 17 HMs, I still only had roughly 1200 miles. I like my rest days!
DeleteI really am quality over quantity. Maybe because it's easy for me to be injured. Maybe because I'm slow? And mostly because running is hard!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the right balance between quality and quantity for you!
Running is hard! If it was easy, what would be the point?
DeleteI am def not into the numbers either! o streaks or numbers for me in 2016 either! I see how it works for many runners but I am def not one of them!
ReplyDeleteEven though I love my numbers, I have never participated in a streak or mileage challenge. I guess I know when to draw the my line.
DeleteI want to run forever, so I have chosen quality over quantity, which always has lead me to injury :(
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of after not being injured for a few years, getting a little careless and thinking I can do more.
DeleteI think it really just comes down to what your goals are for that time. Sometimes quantity is okay if that's what your after. But other times we want to work on speed and work on better preparation and quality is more important to us.
ReplyDeleteI've been on both side of these spectrums, as long as training is adequate when doing whichever, then I guess either is okay. But those who sacrifice training and try to do either, generally end up suffering, at least from what I notice:)
Good luck with your race plans this year!
It's funny, right now I don't feel like I'm missing anything by not racing. A couple of years ago, I would be in a panic over it.
DeleteI love that you love to race, mainly because it's so different from me! You can come run some of my races for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed training in the summer heat for Chicago last year. It didn't turn out well, but I liked increasing those training miles! I'm becoming more like you!
DeleteI'm more into quality when it comes to training mileage, but I definitely LOVE quantity when it comes to races LOL #hypocrisy I have often wondered if I did less 13.1's if I'd have a better chance of PR'ing? I'm consistently right around 2-hours, and have had some sub-2's...but I'd like to break 1:55....
ReplyDeleteI've come to that conclusion over the last few years. The more halves I do, the further away I get from a PR. I would like to train for a half PR. My speed is so off right now due to all that's transpired.
DeleteI was definitely all about "quality" runs this year! I ran too much the year before and I believe I over trained and caused an injury. I am going to continue this smart approach this year coming as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to do my best to think more like you this year!
DeleteQuality- always good! I'm hoping to run 2016 miles this year, but I don't have a problem dropping my challenge if needed. It's all for fun!
ReplyDeleteI've seen that challenge and can't imagine running that many miles. You can do it though!
DeleteYou know I love me some numbers! I would rather run 10 really fun races in great places with great friends then 20 races by myself :)
ReplyDeleteI had a running friend that went with me to a lot of those races in 2014. It was definitely fun!
DeleteI think it's pretty normal to see how many we can do. We are always trying to prove something to ourself right? At least I am. Most of us have that addictive personality right. We check off one think an on to the other except this one was a game changer. I'm kind of questioning what's next??? Quality quality?? We'll figure it out. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely been pondering what's next as our recent race was such a big goal!
DeleteI've had a few years with a ton of races (more than one a month) but lately I have been trying for good quality and staying close to my PR's. I know the older I get the harder it will be to earn a PR, so that will be my goal for 2016
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a PR in a while. After my injury, I've got a lot of work to do in order to get one!
Delete45 is a lot of races in a year! I used to be obsessed with how many miles I could get in during the week but now I don't worry about it so much. of course it took me an injury to get to that point!
ReplyDeleteLooking back, it's hard to believe I did that. I never did obsess over weekly mileage very much but can definitely see how easily you can do that.
DeleteWHAT 45 races in a year...with 17 of those being halfs....WOWSERS!!!
ReplyDeleteI think as I am dealing with arthritis in my knee, I am consciously switching to quality over quantity. The knee just wont let me keep up with the quantity of runs that I wanted.
Nothing like an injury to help you to stop, slow down and reflect for sure :)
Crazy right? I had a pretty severe injury BEFORE then too. After healing, I was right back in the game. I'm in reflection mode now but after a period of time passes, I'll probably want to do it all again.
DeleteWow! I am envious of your racing schedule! :)
ReplyDeleteIf definitely slowed down last year due to injury and I have very few plans for this years so far.
DeleteI was hoping to run quite a few winter & spring HMs before it got too warm. My body is saying otherwise. I hope things will be different in a week or two.
ReplyDeleteI think you should challenge yourself this year by sticking to your quality goal. At the end of the year you can compare this year to a quantity year and see what you think :)
ReplyDeleteIt will be a challenge, but I think it is the route I will take. Especially since I haven't recovered from my last race yet.
DeleteAh yes, we did have similar takes on the word quality (vs. quantity), didn't we?
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
We did. I'm thinking sometimes we can have both. They don't have to be exclusive of each other, do they?
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