Opening Line
A speeding bullet eventually loses momentum
Once again I bring up the topic of Speed Work. For those who missed the first post, you can reminisce over it here.
Today, I'll introduce some random thoughts about Speed Work around the subject of "when." But before I do so, I implore you to not necessarily take my opinions as gospel, but research several resources and then make your decisions on what you feel is best for you. For those who are lazy or don't want to spend money on a coach, well, you'll just have to take my word for it. Suckers...
When
This question can be broken up into two seperate pieces. First, when during the training year should speed work be done. Second, when during the training week should you integrate speed work.
Many marathoners have a training season. Six months or so before a marathon they get back into the ritual of training based on a specific schedule. However, those several months you took off and ran only a few times a week to maintain a base may hurt, more than help, you achieve a new goal. To wit, long periods of base training gets your body used to running slowly. In fact, sticking to a regimen of base training can limit flexibility and affect range of motion, which invariably harms overall running speed. Basically, we don't want our bodies to get too used to running slowly.
So now you are probably asking yourself, "Jamoosh, are you hinting that I can do speed work all year round?" Brilliant! My readers are indeed the intelligencia of this here internet thingy. During the off-season throw in a speed work session every other week. And since it's the off-season, throw in shorter distances and longer breaks between repetitions. Doing so will help your body be much better prepared when you start "officially" training again.
As for when during the training week one does their speed work, I suggest early in the week, the day after a recovery day. It's hard to put in a quality session if your muscles are tired and your focus is off. Now, I understand that some runners subscribe to the theory of speed work later in the week to simulate a race situation - when you are already tired. I agree that this has merit because most of us want the ability to turn it on at the end of a race when we are fatigued. However, I would caution runners to remember that the reason for speed work is to help them become faster overall, not just at the end of the race. I would recommend considering your experience level before deciding to move your speed work out toward the end of the week. Remember, form is an important part of speed work and chances are much greater that you will have better form if you are adequately rested.
Listening to: Never, Never Gonna Give You Up - Barry White
Posted in the humidity
