But- and I quote Jack Daniels:
Remember to have a purpose for every training session. Ask yourself, " What system do I hope to improve by doing this workout?" and "what am I really trying to accomplish."
I feel frustrated when this cannot be answered for me at track workouts. Running all out, every Tuesday, with no rhyme or reason to pace or rest intervals makes absolutely no sense to me- or Jack Daniels, either.
And, I don't think your "performance" at a track workout should have any correlation to your character...or your "guts". I don't have less "guts" because I don't choose to go as hard as I possibly can at every single track workout. I go to track to work on specific pieces of my running and fitness, and my goal does not always match the goal of the person next to me, and nor should my pace.
"Guts" is in quotes because I was told that if I had guts I would run my hardest at track regardless of current fitness, rest intervals, upcoming race goals, knee rehab, etc.
So, whatever.
Those sort of character challenges never really motivate me. I already know exactly what I am made of, and it doesn't get proven to others in one-shot practice.
If nothing else, it infuriated me enough to re-read all of my books and research and remind me to stay the course. The thing is, for the most part, I know what I should be doing out there. It is just that 80% of the other runners out there are not doing it. They are positive splitting the workouts, running way beyond their race day capabilities week after week, and having no earthly idea if they are improving VO2 max, speed, or lactate threshold.
And hey, if it works for them and they improve- great! It just doesn't work for me.
Problem solved. Running is fun, running is good. The race is only against yourself.
I am happily entering my newest sinus infection. Just 1 more day of work, 2 weddings, 1 Los Locos Duathlon (working, not participating), and 3 workouts to go for the week. I hope I make it!
6 comments:
stay the course, run YOUR intervals that we plan, and let's let the other 80% stay behind you on race day!
i was wondering what happened to that post...i went back to comment and it disappeared!
at least you are out there on tuesday nights! i don't even have the "guts" to be out there!
do what is best for you - so that you can do this for a long time.
"You can be king of the neighborhood or king of the world. Your choice." I seem to recall a 2nd overall result in your recent past. That's way better than winning track. You must be doing something right!
At the same time, there's something to be said for just running harder a good chunk of the time. I've not positive split a track workout in a couple of years, but I do consistently run much harder than race pace and think it pays off by improving economy and form at pace. It's an old-school approach to training, but it works: to be a faster runner, run faster.
CBD
I agree- to an extent. I do think there is a time to just run HARD out there. I think there is a place for running beyond your race day capabilities- you have to push the envelope. And, economy at race pace is generally built by running at rep pace (fast) and then having adequate rest- which the back of the group does not always get- hence running hard and fast with crappy form thus defeating the purpose of economy. But, to be frowned upon because you are not going all out every single time doesn't sit well with me. And to not be able to tell me the purpose of a workout (like you stated...economy and form) doesn't make sense either. I guess after 4 years of the same track workout and numerous injuries I am critical. And, really, I have been analyzing my track workouts since I was 15 years-old...that makes me an old, cynical, running hag.
And WHO was 2nd OA at Rebelman?!? 'Nuf said chica!
[No inserting qualifying statements like, it was a small field blah blah blah]
Proud of you for doing what YOU need to do. You have guts and it shows on race day.
Plans are put in place for a reason, to get you to your goal. YOUR GOAL!
Your goal is different from everyone else's. Do what is best for you.I mean, why would you do it any other way?
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