Advice re. training pre surgery to minimise fitness loss

Bungy Girl

Just wondering if I could get some advice. I'm scheduled for relatively minor surgery in July (non-running related) and have been told I can return to running 4 weeks post surgery assuming all goes well. My question relates to training prior to surgery to minimise fitness loss. I'm currently running 5 times p/w, approx 25-30 miles including a 7-8 mile LSR. My original plan was to work on my speed over the summer, but now that's scuppered so do I try to build up my mileage with longer runs pre-op to minimise fitness loss ? Or go ahead with trying to get my times down over the shorter distances ? I'm unsure how best to prepare for returning to running after the 4 week hiatus :rolleyes:
Thanks for any suggestions!

buck65

If you're into racing why not plan a series of races for June? you still have 5 or 6 weeks to train hard and work on speed from your base as it is now.

If your body can take it you should train hard , small taper and target a race or two. After 6 or 8 weeks of this you might be looking forward to a 4 week break and you should still be quite fit after a few weeks of training in August.

Bungy Girl

Thanks buck65. I do like racing . Have to admit the thoughts of a 4 week break and the resulting loss of fitness is a bit scary but at least I can push myself that bit harder before hand knowing there's a break on the way. Cheers for the advice.

SamforMayo

Will you be able to swim/cycle during your 4 weeks out or is it complete rest?

Bungy Girl

Complete rest for 1-2 weeks, then I can walk as much as I want but no swimming, lifting or cycling. The running was supposed to be banned for 6 weeks but the consultant saw my , took pity on me and said I could start back slowly after 4 weeks.

SamforMayo

I would nt worry about it, enjoy the break and do plenty walking(boring I know)

T runner

buck65 wrote: »

If you're into racing why not plan a series of races for June? you still have 5 or 6 weeks to train hard and work on speed from your base as it is now.

If your body can take it you should train hard , small taper and target a race or two. After 6 or 8 weeks of this you might be looking forward to a 4 week break and you should still be quite fit after a few weeks of training in August.

Id agree with that.

One thing you'll need to plan is your return.

I had two months off after the birth of our second child. When I came back my plan was for a big slow buildup in mileage. That was a mistake. The reason was that I was away from all paces and intensities for a long time, tempo, intervals, reps etc
By the time I was a few months into my base building I was away from those paces for a very long time...and had a huge job on my hands to build speed up again.

If youre realistically going to be away from faster paces for a couple of months. Then Id schedule a race to target for in say 10 weeks after returning to running. Have a mini season, go through all the phases and paces (start the faster stuff a little earlier than normal) and get back in touch with them. After 10 weeks youll be in fine fettle and ready to get stuck in again for a bigger season.

That's what id do if I had my time back anyway. Best of luck.