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2008-06-29 3:02 PM

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Subject: Interval advice
So I basically do 3 types of runs in a given week (usually 5 times a week). I do a tempo run where I try to set s "race speed" and stick to that speed for any given number of miles. My last one was 3 miles at 7 mph. That gave me a time of 25:48 around 8:35 miles, give or take. That is pretty good for me.

I do long runs. I generally set the treadmill at about 5.5-6 mph and go for a desired number of min. Last one I did was 50 min. I think that I got in around 5.2 miles. I increase by 5 min every time I do a long run.

I also do intervals where I vary the pace significantly. Last interval workout was as follows.

0 to .1 miles 5.5 mph-recovery
  • 1 to .5 miles 6 mph-working speed.
  • 5 to .65 miles 7mph-accelerating speed.
  • 65 to .75 miles 6 mph-recovery
  • 75to .85 miles 7mph-accelerating speed
  • 85 to 1.00 miles 8 mph-sprint, hard run speed.

  • I repeat this for 3-4 miles (last time was 4) and I add .1 to my "working, accelerating and hard run speeds"every time I repeat. the last time that I repeat I skip the last "recovery" and got straight to 8mph, the last .25 miles running all out at 10 mph.

    I used to struggle to run a 10 min mile pace for 2-3 miles and last night I ran 8:30's for 3 miles so I think that I am on the right track, but is this what I should be doing for "interval workouts"? Or is there something else that I should try?

    I usually stick mainly to the treadmill b/c of work/kid watching schedule. I try to run outside every now and then. Any critique is very welcome.


    2008-06-29 10:36 PM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    crickets.
    2008-06-29 10:47 PM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    I probably won't be able to offer much advice, but it would probably help if people knew what your goals are.

    2008-06-29 10:55 PM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    Goal is an olympic distance in middle august. Would like to run 9 min miles for it. Really plan to work hard on the run over the winter for next season. Would love add some distance maybe do my first marathon in the spring. Have done 2 half mary's in the past, but pretty horrific times.

    I just generally suck at the run portion and want to add both distance and speed.
    2008-06-29 11:01 PM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    Tempo runs sound good, the long run sounds good. The intervals you are doing sound good for breaking up the monotony of your training.

    Maybe once a week you could add some VO2 intervals. These are 2-3 minute in length at 95% Max heart rate or 110% of threshold. Follow with 2-3 minutes of active recovery like walking. These are best done on a track, but can be done anywhere. These are tough. And it may take a few reps before your heart rate actually reaches the target so used perceived effort as well. You should feel maxed out.

    Of course these are only good if you are healthy and have a good base of conditioning.


    As an aside if what you are doing is working, why try to fix it?
    2008-06-30 6:41 AM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Runner
    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    My advice:

    Drop the intervals.

    Slow down the tempo.

    Run more frequently.

    Run more miles. 



    2008-06-30 6:53 AM
    in reply to: #1498060

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    BVHP - 2008-06-29 11:01 PM

    Tempo runs sound good, the long run sounds good. The intervals you are doing sound good for breaking up the monotony of your training.

    Maybe once a week you could add some VO2 intervals. These are 2-3 minute in length at 95% Max heart rate or 110% of threshold. Follow with 2-3 minutes of active recovery like walking. These are best done on a track, but can be done anywhere. These are tough. And it may take a few reps before your heart rate actually reaches the target so used perceived effort as well. You should feel maxed out.

    Of course these are only good if you are healthy and have a good base of conditioning.


    As an aside if what you are doing is working, why try to fix it?


    Thanks, exactly what I was looking for. Not really trying to "fix" anything, just re firming that I am on the right track. I will certainly give your VO2 intervals a try.

    Scout-That is certainly the plan for this winter. I just get so danged bored on the "gerbil wheel" that I like doing these things to change it up a little. This winter really plan to work on distance and endurance over speed though.

    Thanks for the replies.
    2008-06-30 8:27 AM
    in reply to: #1497377

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    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    i like the Interval/tempo/long run idea for those running 3 days a week if that is all one has time for and have the base for speed work.  

    I wouldn't call the work-out you posted as intervals however.  Your intervals are all over the place - most(all) I've seen are at the same speed for the interval then a rest interval.   

    An example interval workout would be:

    • Warm up 10 mins
    • 6 x (800M @ 10k pace minus 30~45 secs, 400M rest interval)
    • cool down 10 mins

    Take a look here - >http://www.furman.edu/first/fmtp.htm  For ideas of intervals, appropriate speeds, and three day a week running plans.

    2008-06-30 8:36 AM
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    Thanks, heading to that site right now. Maybe I should clarify, I run about 5-6 days a week. Only 1-2 days do I use my so called "interval" plan. 1 day is a long run. I will check out the website that you gave.
    2008-06-30 11:18 AM
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    I think, and this is seriously $.02 worth, is that I'm troubled by your long run.  It needs to be longer.  You are adding 5-minutes which is good.  Long-Term I'd get that in the 10-mile/90 minute range.  Don't know if it would be a good idea to get there by mid-august.  I felt like a lot of my running, mentally and physically, improved when I got my long in the 10-mile/90 minute range once/week.  That opens the door to mental confidence about a lot of distances...i.e. pushing the pace on 5 milers or 10Ks, and close to ready for any half-mary that might come along.

    This is long-term advice.  I don't know if you can get there by mid august.   If your body feels good, maybe you can add a tad more than 5-minutes, slowing down appropriately and not worrying about pace.  What you think about in the long run is training your body to be running for X-minutes more-so than worrying about the pace or distance covered.  IMHO. 

    2008-06-30 1:52 PM
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    You might want to try out the Tabata protocol. More info here. I've managed to drop my 5k time this year from 6:40 to 6:20, and I think doing these short intense workouts in the middle of my 5-7 mile runs have definitely helped. Basically, it's 20-second sprints with 10-second rests repeated 8x. It's short but pretty brutal. Enjoy!


    2008-06-30 7:15 PM
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    Thanks guys. Really appreciate all of the comments/critiques.
    2008-06-30 7:20 PM
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    Tyler,
    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    sounds too confusing.....I could help you better if I understood it.

     I operate on a ten day schedule since 3 sports takes a lot of time. but if you operate on a 7 day schedule.....one day tempo/intervals/or hills, and the second day long run or tempo, depending on when your peak race is.

    2008-06-30 9:36 PM
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    Master
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice
    I like to do longer or progressive intervals on the treadmills and I think it has helped my speed. I'll do a run starting at a comfortable pace (IE 6.5 mph) and then every 10 minutes pick up the pace 0.5 mph. Or do a ladder up .5 every 5 minutes to your max pace then back down .5 mph a step. I think these workouts have helped to teach myself to hold a good pace at the end of a race when I am getting tired.
    They are also a good workout to do on the road (when I do most of my treadmill running)
    2008-06-30 10:46 PM
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    Tyler,
    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    What distance are you training for?

     Also you can't go wrong with doing 6-10x100 m strides after your runs.

    2008-07-01 5:51 AM
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    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    Yes, your intervals need fixing up.  What you are doing isn't really intervals but more like fartlek (more or less random bursts of speed), which isn't BAD, but it isn't true interval training.

    This article:

        http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-369-370--11996-0,00.html

    is a short introduction to intervals that will get you started on the right track.



    2008-07-01 7:32 AM
    in reply to: #1498347

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    Runner
    Subject: RE: Interval advice

    Parr8hed - 2008-06-30 9:36 AM Thanks, heading to that site right now. Maybe I should clarify, I run about 5-6 days a week. Only 1-2 days do I use my so called "interval" plan. 1 day is a long run. I will check out the website that you gave.

    I'm looking at your logs.

    Perhaps it would help if you laid out your running schedule. 

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