My running policy and strategy

I plan to run an  average of 40 km per day. 

For those who wonder why I think this is feasible hereby the assumptions I'm making. Additionally you can find the "running policy" or "rules" I have set for myself. The "running policy"  will be a subset of my general Santiago policy (on which later more). 

Running Policy  : 
  1. I will run the entire distance between Gent and Santiago. Other means of transport are allowed in following circumstances : 
  2. Walking  : 
    • in case the ascent or descent does not allow safely running or is physically not feasible (e.g. ascents above 8 %).
    • In case of injury but still able to walk, I will continue walking. (In case an injury does not allow walking I will try to recover as long timing allows)
  3.  Mechanical transport  :
    • for shopping, site visits, going to sleeping location as long I return to the point where I have taken/entered the mechanical transport. 
  4. UFO's : 
    • Always
Assumptions :
  1. Based upon the experiences of other pilgrims the average "moving" time seems to be around 8 hours /day. "Moving time" is the time spend "on the road" between one sleeping location and the next . Moving time excludes the time required for shopping, washing,...resting. Moving start and -end time depends on weather, sunrise, terrain,...
  2. I plan an average daily actual "running time" of 5 hours and  a total of 3 hours "pause-time" : 1 hour in the morning, lunch and afternoon although pause times can be split as required.
  3. My current average running speed with backpack, keeping my hart rate below 130, on flat terrain  is 9 km/hour. At this speed/HR I can currently comfortably run 30km without pausing (last 10k HR will be around 140). Comfortably means I can repeat the exercise consecutive days.
  4. Running speed at an average HR of 135-140 with backpack on ascending terrain (between 4 to 8 %) is 8 km/hour.  At this speed/HR I can currently run comfortably 15k (e.g. able to repeat after resting same day)
  5. Based upon my current running- and fitness-level I feel confident to be able to run 8 km/hour 5 hours a day. That confidence should deliver 40 km each day.
  6. There are 89 days between  March 3rd (start)  and May 31st (expected return) . Based upon 60 required running days 29 contingency days are available to adjust running average if required, plan resting or recovery days, city visits, ....88 days results in a 28 km  daily average , 5.6 km/hour running speed. So long I can make an average speed between 8k/h and 5.6 km / h I should be fine. Some people are able to walk at this speed.

Maybe I'm overestimating my capability to cover 40 km / day. Fitness wise I'm confident to  have the level required. I have another 4 months to further strengthen and improving my fitness/running level. I will do a post  later to give you a view on my training schedule.  My biggest risk (and fear)  is to have  a "mechanical" injury as result of the repeated effort or accident (tripping, falling, ...).

The proof of the pudding is in eating the pudding....

T.

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