Key Running
Workouts
Any
competitive running schedule is based on a few main premises. Volume and
intensity comprise the overall themes, while individualization for your age,
experience, and goals make up the variables to work around.
However, the components of a good run training plan come down to four (and a
half) key types of workouts:
·
fast/speed or
intensity workouts done at or over lactate threshold effort
·
tempo or
moderate hard workouts done at a sub-threshold effort
·
long runs at an
aerobic pace
·
drills sessions
·
Core/strength
training
Training zones/paces
There are two main methods to discovering your appropriate training
paces. The first is to use a running pace calculator like Jack Daniels
VDOT method. In this you take a recent race result and plug it into a
calculator, which computes your training paces. The VDOT method is very
useful and find yours here.
The second method is to find your lactate threshold heart rate for running and
then run based upon heart rate training zones. Lactate threshold is the
effort that a fit athlete can hold for roughly an hour. Untrained
athletes can't hold this pace quite as long. The easiest way to find LTHR
is to run a 30 minute time trial, take the average of the last 20 minutes, and
then use a calculator to discover HR zones. There are other methods but
this is the one we advocate. A good HR calculator is here.
Note we are not affiliated with either
linked site, they are just useful resources.
Fast workouts
Fast workouts are appropriate for all running distances up to the
marathon. These are also the most demanding. An example speed
workout (speed in this article is relative - we're not talking about the 100
meter dash but 5k and above) would be 4 x 1200s at 5k pace with 200-400 meter
jog recovery. Another common set is 8 to 12 x 400s at 3k pace with 200
jog. The number of repetitions and recovery intervals are adjusted for
experience levels and current fitness. Older athletes will almost always
require more rest after an interval session than younger athletes. That's
just nature.
Tempo runs
Tempo runs and tempo intervals are run at a sub-threshold effort. These
are not quite as demanding so they don't require as much recovery
post-workout. All runners will benefit from tempo runs, but they are most
useful for 10k and above distances. A common workout is to warm up and
then 20-30 minutes at tempo pace. Another is to warm up and then run 4-6
x 1 mile with 1-2 minutes rest between each. (Always cool down at least 5
minutes if not more). This is in heart rate zone 3 if you are using heart rate
and the pace is slightly faster than Daniels marathon pace. Daniels does
not advocate running in this 'grey' zone, but many runners will run 10k to
half-marathon at this pace, so it is a good idea to train at the pace you will
race at. This is the principle of specificity.
Long aerobic
runs
Long
easy to steady aerobic runs are intended to improve your aerobic ability.
Many motivated runners run too fast on these. Your pace and effort should
not be difficult. The challenge of these is the duration.
Recreational 5k runners should build up to at least a 6-8 mile run, and
marathoners will often go up to 22-24 miles in a pre-marathon build up.
Drills sessions
Running drills (like high knee drill, skips, bounds, and strides) and a number
of plyometric exercises (like box jumps or jump rope) are all meant to improve
your ability to minimize ground contact time - bounciness in other words.
Running consists of concentric and eccentric muscle contractions. When
you lift your leg to stride forward, your hamstrings shorten in a concentric
muscle contraction. When your foot lands, your quad muscles undergo an
eccentric muscle contraction. Essentially, with every step forward your
muscles have to fight the downward force of gravity; your muscles briefly
elongate while you exert force to begin the upward contraction to step forward
again. This eccentric contraction is why your quads are so sore after
downhill runs. These sessions are not overly taxing on the aerobic or
anaerobic system but can result in a good deal of post-workout muscle soreness,
especially in less experienced athletes. You can view a few running drills here.
Core/strength training
Efficient movement patterns and power transfer are dependent on having a stable
base to operate from. If your legs are strong but your back/hip and trunk
muscles are weak, a lot of the effort you put into running will dissipate
through your body rather than transfer to the ground. Some runners
develop good core strength strictly through run training, but most of us can
benefit from supplementary strength training. Simple examples that you
can do anywhere include planks, sit-ups, and bodyweight-only squats.
Generally speaking, most training mini-cycles (like a week) will include all of
these in some shape or form, except in very early base building or transition
(post race season). Experienced runners might do a few drills within each
training session.
Marathoners will also include a number of longish running sessions with several
miles at goal marathon pace (MP). This pace is not as fast as tempo but
faster than easy/long.
Marty Gaal, CSCS, is a
USA Triathlon coach and recently completed the