by Larry Eder
800m at Adrian Martinez Memorial, June 2015, photo by Kevin Morris
I loved hill workouts. I also worked hills so that, when I saw them in a race, I relaxed, put my head down, pumped my arms and took to passing one person at a time. Just before I hit the top, I would accelerate, then, put a little more effort into the downhills, and pass a few more. Cross country teaches you how to use tactics, train hard and focus in racing. Enjoy todays’ workout! Runners who run from 400 meters on up should do cross country!
October 6, 2016, Thursday: 1-mile warmup, 7 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to start; repeat 6 times, no rests); 1-mile easy cool-down. If you have a race, then, after race, do a twenty minute Holmer fartlek, with twelve minutes out, come back in eight to ten minutes, running hard. Then, cooldown.
Oh, and please check out the Postal nationals site! It can be found at www.hokaoneonepostalnationals.com. See how your team ranks in your city, state and country!
Week 7: Midway Through the Season!
This week is tough. Check your shoes to make sure they aren’t too worn. Consider getting racing shoes for the serious races and using them for your tempo runs.
October 3, 2016, Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 6×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
October 4, 2016, Tuesday: 1-mile warmup, 20-min tempo run, 1-mile cool-down. To determine your tempo run pace, add a half-minute to your present mile pace for a 5K. For example: If you currently run 18:50 min for a 5K, that’s 6:05 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:35 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month.
If you race today, try a 20 minute fartlek, one minute at mile pace, one minute easy, repeat ten times, then, easy cooldown.
October 5, 2016, Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 6×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
October 6, 2016, Thursday: 1-mile warmup, 7 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to start; repeat 6 times, no rests); 1-mile easy cool-down. If you have a race, then, after race, do a twenty minute Holmer fartlek, with twelve minutes out, come back in eight to ten minutes, running hard. Then, cooldown.
October 7, 2016, Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 6×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
October 8, 2016, Saturday: Race day. Warm up, listen to your coach, race, cool down. Long cooldown, and remember to stretch!
October 9, 2016, Sunday: Easy 9.5-mile run on grass or dirt with friends.
Week 8: Increase Your AM Runs
This is a good time to get your fall racing shoes and use them for tempo runs. If you’re an advanced runner, up your easy runs to 30-35 minutes on Mon-Wed-Fri, still doing them at the opposite time of day from your hard workout.
October 10, 2016, Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 7×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
October 11, 2016, Tuesday: 1-mile warmup; 20-min tempo run, 1-mile cool-down. To determine your tempo run pace, add a half-minute to your present mile pace for a 5K. For example: If you currently run 18:50 min for a 5K, that’s 6:05 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:35 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month. After your tempo run, finish up with four 200 meter cut downs, where you work on your finish a bit, and then, cooldown.
If you race today, then, after the race, get into your training shoes and do a twenty-five minute fartlek, where you run race pace for two minutes, easy run three minutes, repeat five times. Cooldown.
October 12, 2016, Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 7×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
October 13, 2016, Thursday: 1-mile warmup; 5 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to the start; repeat 4 times, no rests); on the flat at the bottom of the hill, try for 8×150 yds as easy strideouts, jogging back to the start, no rest in between; 1-mile easy cool-down.
If you race today, then, after race, get on your training shoes, and run five hill charges of two minutes, jog two minutes to three minutes in between, and then, cool down.
October 14, 2016, Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 7×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
October 15, 2016, Saturday: Race day. Warm up, listen to your coach, race, cool down. Do a long cooldown and remember to stretch afterwards.
October 16, 2016, Sunday: Easy 9-mile run on grass or dirt with friends.
Remember to check out www.hokaoneonepostalnationals.com.
