Man on a Mission
Great clip of Emmon Coghlan visit to Kenya gives a glimpse of where all those great runners develop, including current 800 m world record holder David Rudisha! I'd love to see this whole documentary.
Also included in the clip is legendary coach Brother Colm O'Connell.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
High Intensity Workout Progression
I haven't run a competitive race in months, prompting me to incorporate workouts designed to get me ready "just in case" something comes up. Sure enough, last week I received an email inviting Americans to run the Incheon Marathon- so I decided to enter the 10K.
Five weeks ago I started out with a 2-mile time trial, just to get the feel of warming up and what sort of pace I could maintain. On two consecutive Saturdays I ran 11:46 and 11:47- but both were very hard and way out of my comfort zone.
The 3rd week I chose to run 3 miles on turf and turned in an 18:01- slowing down 10 seconds per mile made a HUGE difference. Next I reverted back to my old stand-by- 800 meter repeats. Again on turf I was very satisfied averaging 2:57 for 8 with 60 sec recovery
Finally, yesterday I had hopes of running 4 x 1 mile under 6 min on turf, but the weather (high winds) did not cooperate. Fortunately I have the option of using the 10 lap indoor track on Camp Humphreys, so went inside and ran 4 x 1 mile in 5:56, 5:55, 6:00, and 6:02 with 5 min recovery. This was a great workout, since I estimate each mile is probably 5-6 sec slow due to tight turns.
Clearly I am in decent shape, but the news is not all good. I've been experiencing knee discomfort for about 2 weeks - giving me trouble during warm-ups and early in workouts. I think it started following a few sessions on the bike, but now it's becoming a significant issue, even giving me trouble in the pool! Usually this kind of thing clears up on it's own, so hopefully this is no different. The plan is to see if I can get through this week, then back off.
Finally, I seem to be struggling more than usual the day following the longer high intensity workouts, a sure sign that I should consider more run recovery days. It's taking me longer and longer (more than a mile) just to get my legs feeling halfway normal. Not much fun.
Five weeks ago I started out with a 2-mile time trial, just to get the feel of warming up and what sort of pace I could maintain. On two consecutive Saturdays I ran 11:46 and 11:47- but both were very hard and way out of my comfort zone.
The 3rd week I chose to run 3 miles on turf and turned in an 18:01- slowing down 10 seconds per mile made a HUGE difference. Next I reverted back to my old stand-by- 800 meter repeats. Again on turf I was very satisfied averaging 2:57 for 8 with 60 sec recovery
Finally, yesterday I had hopes of running 4 x 1 mile under 6 min on turf, but the weather (high winds) did not cooperate. Fortunately I have the option of using the 10 lap indoor track on Camp Humphreys, so went inside and ran 4 x 1 mile in 5:56, 5:55, 6:00, and 6:02 with 5 min recovery. This was a great workout, since I estimate each mile is probably 5-6 sec slow due to tight turns.
Clearly I am in decent shape, but the news is not all good. I've been experiencing knee discomfort for about 2 weeks - giving me trouble during warm-ups and early in workouts. I think it started following a few sessions on the bike, but now it's becoming a significant issue, even giving me trouble in the pool! Usually this kind of thing clears up on it's own, so hopefully this is no different. The plan is to see if I can get through this week, then back off.
Finally, I seem to be struggling more than usual the day following the longer high intensity workouts, a sure sign that I should consider more run recovery days. It's taking me longer and longer (more than a mile) just to get my legs feeling halfway normal. Not much fun.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Why Faster Intervals May Not Work for Improving 5K Speed
Having decided to work on running faster for shorter distances this spring and summer, I assumed the best course to develop speed would be to run 400 meter repeats at a pace faster than I was accustomed to- eventually I would adapt and race faster.
After a couple of workouts I had a hunch this approach wasn't optimal, which was confirmed by an article I found by Pete Pfitzinger in Running Times called Lab Report: Essential Ingredients VII. The article states "well-trained distance runners should progressively increase training intensity to . . . VO2 max," and elite distance runners should include "progressive increases in the volume of training at or near VO2 max." What this means is that the fitter you already are, the closer to your current VO2 max you need to train to further improve your VO2 max."
So what are the best workouts to spike your VO2 max? According to Pfitzinger, "Intervals of two to six minutes typically allow runners to accumulate the most time at 95 to 100 percent of VO2 max" (think 800- 1600 meters). What about those fast 400s I was trying to boost speed with? "Training faster than your VO2 max pace does not provide as great a stimulus to increase your VO2 max because lactate builds up rapidly in your muscles and you cannot sustain that intensity for nearly as long." In other words, they leave you feeling pretty flat.
I believe high intensity workouts need to simulate 5K racing- the closer you get to that level of intensity the better, and I'm not sure that running intervals considerably faster than that works as well as running them right on the pace you are capable of.
The last 2 weekends I've done 2-mile time trials in 11:46-47, a pace just slightly beyond my reach for maintaining in a 5K. Today I ran 3 miles in 18:01 and I felt a dramatic difference. By running slightly slower the first mile (6:01 instead of 5:53), I still felt strong and was able to maintain for 2 more miles. Keep this up, and I believe that 6 min pace will soon feel easier to maintain and times will eventually drop.
I am planning a 5K in 4 weeks, my first one is probably a year, so these time trials are helping get back into the racing groove. Stay tuned.
For dinner.... sushi 50% off at the Commissary!
After a couple of workouts I had a hunch this approach wasn't optimal, which was confirmed by an article I found by Pete Pfitzinger in Running Times called Lab Report: Essential Ingredients VII. The article states "well-trained distance runners should progressively increase training intensity to . . . VO2 max," and elite distance runners should include "progressive increases in the volume of training at or near VO2 max." What this means is that the fitter you already are, the closer to your current VO2 max you need to train to further improve your VO2 max."
So what are the best workouts to spike your VO2 max? According to Pfitzinger, "Intervals of two to six minutes typically allow runners to accumulate the most time at 95 to 100 percent of VO2 max" (think 800- 1600 meters). What about those fast 400s I was trying to boost speed with? "Training faster than your VO2 max pace does not provide as great a stimulus to increase your VO2 max because lactate builds up rapidly in your muscles and you cannot sustain that intensity for nearly as long." In other words, they leave you feeling pretty flat.
I believe high intensity workouts need to simulate 5K racing- the closer you get to that level of intensity the better, and I'm not sure that running intervals considerably faster than that works as well as running them right on the pace you are capable of.
The last 2 weekends I've done 2-mile time trials in 11:46-47, a pace just slightly beyond my reach for maintaining in a 5K. Today I ran 3 miles in 18:01 and I felt a dramatic difference. By running slightly slower the first mile (6:01 instead of 5:53), I still felt strong and was able to maintain for 2 more miles. Keep this up, and I believe that 6 min pace will soon feel easier to maintain and times will eventually drop.
I am planning a 5K in 4 weeks, my first one is probably a year, so these time trials are helping get back into the racing groove. Stay tuned.
For dinner.... sushi 50% off at the Commissary!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
2 Miles in 11:47
I ran the same time as last week, however there are signs that I am headed in the right direction.
1. I ran 7 miles the day before, whereas last week I did not run.
2. I felt much better the second mile this time, and ran even splits.
3. My cool-down felt good. I sometimes judge a workout by how I feel AFTER- there are days when I don't even bother with a cool-down jog. That's a sure sign that I am not strong enough or not recovered enough to handle that particular workout.
The meal was just your basic burger- prep time less than 10 min.
1. I ran 7 miles the day before, whereas last week I did not run.
2. I felt much better the second mile this time, and ran even splits.
3. My cool-down felt good. I sometimes judge a workout by how I feel AFTER- there are days when I don't even bother with a cool-down jog. That's a sure sign that I am not strong enough or not recovered enough to handle that particular workout.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
What Are You Eating?
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Run Faster With Lighter Shoes
Yesterday my workout called for something hard- like 800 meter repeats, and I was disappointed to see the weather was not going to cooperate- windy, cold, and light rain.
Fortunately the Super Gym on Camp Humphreys includes a 10 lap per mile track - the tight turns are less than ideal however this was good enough for me to get in the quality I needed for 800s.
Warm up took longer than usual, and I was having trouble with my right knee, both the result of biking yesterday. And I was wearing Asics Gel 1140s for added protection (left foot has also been acting up). The first 3 with 60 seconds recovery were 3:08, 3:05, 3:04.
Feeling no foot pain I switched to the light-weight Brooks Launch and ran the last 3 in 2:59, 2:59. 2:57- not bad on this track (my guess is the turns cost me at least 1 sec per lap) but I was definitely done after 6. I felt immediately that I was more efficiently with the lighter shoes, landing more mid-foot than heel. My opinion is could increase risk for injury if you are not ready for it, which is why I prefer artificial turf for intervals these days.
Coincidently, check out this recent article in Runner's World- Barefoot vs Running Shoes: Which is More Efficient? Researchers found that adding 100 grams per shoe increased oxygen cost of treadmill running by 1%. They also noted that runners with shoes did better than without, however I would like to see that study repeated on a softer surface. From personal experience, my intervals on artificial turf are always a little faster without shoes.
Fortunately the Super Gym on Camp Humphreys includes a 10 lap per mile track - the tight turns are less than ideal however this was good enough for me to get in the quality I needed for 800s.
Warm up took longer than usual, and I was having trouble with my right knee, both the result of biking yesterday. And I was wearing Asics Gel 1140s for added protection (left foot has also been acting up). The first 3 with 60 seconds recovery were 3:08, 3:05, 3:04.
Feeling no foot pain I switched to the light-weight Brooks Launch and ran the last 3 in 2:59, 2:59. 2:57- not bad on this track (my guess is the turns cost me at least 1 sec per lap) but I was definitely done after 6. I felt immediately that I was more efficiently with the lighter shoes, landing more mid-foot than heel. My opinion is could increase risk for injury if you are not ready for it, which is why I prefer artificial turf for intervals these days.
Coincidently, check out this recent article in Runner's World- Barefoot vs Running Shoes: Which is More Efficient? Researchers found that adding 100 grams per shoe increased oxygen cost of treadmill running by 1%. They also noted that runners with shoes did better than without, however I would like to see that study repeated on a softer surface. From personal experience, my intervals on artificial turf are always a little faster without shoes.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Weekend Workouts- Fast, Then Slow
Saturday I ran 2 miles in 11:46 on turf. I'm not comfortable at all running at this pace, inclining me to believe I need to go back to what I know works- 800 meter repeats and other long intervals. I plan to get strong on those, then drop down to the 400s to work on speed and leg turnover.
Sunday I ran 16 miles in 2 hr 22 on a windy, not so nice day. I had 3-4 sub 8 min miles around 10-14.
Sunday I ran 16 miles in 2 hr 22 on a windy, not so nice day. I had 3-4 sub 8 min miles around 10-14.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Brooks Mach 13 Spikless Cross Country Running Shoe
Today I ran a 2-mile time trial on turf with an old pair of Brooks Mach 9 Spikeless Cross Country Shoes. Remove the insole and low and behold that's as close as you can get to a minimalist running shoe. The Mach 9 feels like it has a slight negative heel drop, encouraging a mid-foot strike. For $60, I'd like to think this newer Mach 13 version is a good, inexpensive option.
The Recovery Coach- Matt Dixon
Recovery, however, shouldn’t be confused with easy. “Recovery is the thing that enables hard training,” Dixon says. If you’re rested and fueled, you can you push yourself to new heights in key workouts and increase fitness. -The Recovery Approach
This is a good article from Running Times- you can bet that many of us have at one time or another have been carried away by counting weekly miles, or like my weekly sub 7 minute miles.
Doxon's 4 pillars include endurance, recovery, nutrition, and strength. You can bet those key workouts he's talking about are brutal.
This is a good article from Running Times- you can bet that many of us have at one time or another have been carried away by counting weekly miles, or like my weekly sub 7 minute miles.
Doxon's 4 pillars include endurance, recovery, nutrition, and strength. You can bet those key workouts he's talking about are brutal.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
4 Mile Tempo Run in 27:00
I tried to run hard today- a little disappointed in how hard I ran and how slow the time was, but I believe my legs were not 100% rested. I could tell that I really worked because my legs were trashed the rest of the day, not to mention some soreness on the outside of my left foot. I've had this before- slight inflammation and swelling- not a bad idea to stay off hard surfaces the next day or two.
Tomorrow will be light, and I hope to run something very hard on Saturday.
5.5 miles total
Tomorrow will be light, and I hope to run something very hard on Saturday.
5.5 miles total
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