by Larry Eder
Leo Manzano, photo by PhotoRun.net
The season’s big races are upon us. Real racing, with all of the stakes are here. Focus on your workouts, resting, and racing. Today is your tempo run.
Tempo runs have helped callous you for the big races, so do this workout well, and good luck!
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. So if you can run 18:30 for a 5K now, that’s a 6:00 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:30 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month.
Week 11: The Real Racing Begins
Your first real race will be a revelation. By real race, I mean, things are on the line. From regionals to state meets, you are racing for something. You should be able to handle the distance, and focus on your positioning. You’ll recover quickly and should be racing fit now. And again, older runners should be doing 30-45 minute runs in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
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. So if you can run 18:30 for a 5K now, that’s a 6:00 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:30 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month.
Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Thursday: 1-mile warmup; 8 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to the start. Repeat 7 more 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.
Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
Saturday: Easy warmup; 5K race. Go out well, but pick it up each mile. With 800 meters to go, see what you can do.
Sunday: Easy 10-mile run on grass or dirt with friends. Keep this on soft ground and run relaxed. If you’re sore from Saturday, then really slow it down. If you have any pain, consider cutting it short.
Week 12: Here Comes
Big Cross Country Season
High school cross country starts quickly, so use those early races to get into shape. Continue to build speed. 300 Mile athletes add a Saturday run.
Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
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. So if you can run 18:30 for a 5K now, that means a 6:00 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:30 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month.
Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Thursday: 1-mile warmup; 8 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to the start. Repeat 7 more 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. Or, if a race happens on Thursday and Saturday, finish up with the 10×150 yds and then do your 1-mile easy cool-down.
Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Saturday: Race day. Warm up, listen to your coach, race, cool down
Sunday: Easy 11-mile run on grass or dirt with friends.
Weeks 13-20 You’ve Made It!
You’ve now got 3 months of solid training behind you. Keep the days between racing and the hard days relaxed. Now it’s time to focus on your racing. How are you feeling? When do you tire? When do you kick? Try some different race strategies.
Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
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. So if you can run 18:00 for a 5K now, that means a 5:50 pace. Add 30 seconds to get your tempo run pace of 6:20 per mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, about once a month.
Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
Thursday: 1-mile warmup; 9 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to the start; repeat 8 times, no rests); on the flat at the bottom of the hill, try for 8×150 yds as easy strideouts, jogging to the start, no rest in between; 1-mile easy cool-down. Or, if a race happens on Thursday and Saturday, finish up with the 10×150 yds and then do your 1-mile easy cool-down.
Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run; 8×150 yds relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest in between; cool down.
Saturday: Race day. Warm up, listen to your coach, race, cool down
Sunday: Easy 11-mile run on grass or dirt with friends.
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Special thanks to www.hokaoneonepostalnationals.com
