Speed work vs. Tempo runs

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2007-08-20 1:43 PM

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Subject: Speed work vs. Tempo runs

Ok if I am looking at a workout

and it calls for 5mi tempo run one week and then 5mi speedwork the following week

what is the difference?

2007-08-20 1:49 PM
in reply to: #932636

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Subject: RE: Speed work vs. Tempo runs

Doesn't your plan describe the workouts?

Tempo runs typically call for a sustained run at or just below lactate threshhold pace, like 20 or 30 minutes, after a warm up and before a cool down.

Speedwork typically is interval work on the track, warmup, then a prescribed distance (400M, 800M, etc.) at a prescribed pace, at or faster than 5K pace, followed by a recovery run of equal duration.

2007-08-20 1:57 PM
in reply to: #932655

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Subject: RE: Speed work vs. Tempo runs
the bear - 2007-08-20 11:49 AM

Doesn't your plan describe the workouts?

Tempo runs typically call for a sustained run at or just below lactate threshhold pace, like 20 or 30 minutes, after a warm up and before a cool down.

Speedwork typically is interval work on the track, warmup, then a prescribed distance (400M, 800M, etc.) at a prescribed pace, at or faster than 5K pace, followed by a recovery run of equal duration.



This is my understanding as well.

Tempo should be able to be held for 20 plus minutes for beginners and up to 60 minutes for a more trained athlete - I tend to equate this pace to something like I would run for a 10k race.

I do speedwork at 5k pace unless it is at short intervals where I may even go a little faster.

2007-08-20 2:00 PM
in reply to: #932636

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Subject: RE: Speed work vs. Tempo runs

Speedwork can be a couple things, depends on what the person who created the plan meant.  Could be fartlek, could be intervals, could be some form of hill repeats....  Depending on who you talk to, tempo runs could be considered borderline speedwork.

I'm guessing that speedwork is probably intervals.  Although why are you doing intervals, out of curiosity? 

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