“QUALITY” versus “QUANTITY” training …. an experiment
This is an excerpt from an article I wrote in 2005 after attempting to find out for myself the truth about the controversial issue of quality versus quantity training. Back then, I had been operated for Morton Neuroma in one foot and was awaiting to get operated on the 2nd foot in May 2005. So I figured I had nothing to lose! Below is a highlight side by side of how I prepared for the same marathon in 2004 and 2005.
CONCLUSION
I won’t bore you with the details and the rough circumstances of this race. I raced sick with fever, and my Morton Neuroma flared up halfway through. Before racing, I had 3 planned scenarios: a best one of 3:50, a good one of 4:00, and a bad one 4:10 … I managed a 4:10:05 but that was still a PB back then with 22’ 48’’ faster than my 2004 result. After the race, my legs felt very fresh comparing to the 2004 marathon. It was amazingly easier for me sitting down and getting up or using the stairs, and I could have run the following day had I not been sick and had my right foot neuroma already been taken care of.
So the plan worked out amazingly well. The credit for my good feeling after the race in spite of racing with fever, and the reason for the consistent effort and pace I was able to maintain in the last 5.5 miles of the race in spite of my aching foot goes to quality versus quantity training which mainly emphasized:
- A much better and balanced preparation phase with minimal necessary mileage, touching not just upon running but equally on my overall fitness and flexibility.
- The Pose Method of running I am fond of and the long hours of practicing Pose.
I am very glad I tried; my curiosity and my willingness to experiment served me well, for if we don’t take chances and risk to try out something, we will never know the truth from our own perspective.
This experiment has forever changed my approach to marathon sport. I hope sharing it with you excites your curiosity to search for answers for yourself, even if that meant looking outside the box. ~ MFS