Maintenance runners...

  • ...how many miles are you logging in a week on average, what other exercise do you do and what does your maintenance plan look like?
  • Well, I don't know that you would consider me a runner, although I do run, just not very far. My primary focus is triathlon and the longest running race I've done is 5k. You're probably looking for advice from the marathoners, but here's my answers anyway.

    In the past I've run about 5-6 miles per week. Right now I'm trying to work up to being able to run a 10k so started building up and got to almost 10 miles/week before my legs decided that I built up too fast. I ran about 7.5 miles last week and I'm aiming for the same this week, until I can do it pain-free.

    Since I do triathlon I also bike and swim in addition to running. During the winter I don't really bike at all but I swim at an indoor pool once a week. I also do strength training during the winter and right now I'm taking a yoga class. Once it's summer and triathlon season again I probably won't have time for strength and will increase to swimming 2x/week and biking more.

    I calorie count in general -- carefully to lose, estimated to maintain. For maintenance I eat 1600-1800 on weekdays (a bit more during training) and more on weekends (usually with one day above 2000). Unlike a lot of folks around here, I get about 60% of my calories from carbs, including white rice and pasta.
  • When I was running regularly I averaged 18-25 miles per week. When I was close to my half marathon I was around the 30 mile per week mark. I've dropped the running hard the last two months, but really want to work my way back in.

    I tend to do five to six days per week of exercise, when things were more balanced I was doing three days of strength training (either a 3 day FB routine or a 3 day LB/push/pull split) with a cardio chaser like my stationary bike/elliptical/kickboxing bag, and three days of running. I tried for one tempo run, one lactose interval run, one long run each week. Long run was subjective. I never ran more than every other day. I also try to do yoga every day. I've been more successfully consistent lately with the strength training and yoga.

    I calorie count as well. I target around 1850, more on weekends and during training as well. I shoot for 30% protein, I often hit 50-60% carb, 10-15% fat. I need to up the fat a little, and I don't always make the protein high enough. Carbs kill me - I have a hard time running when I'm too carb heavy and the protein is too low. Makes me feel sluggish.