With temperatures in the low 80s for the foreseeable future (yay!), this week might be the perfect time to work on race-day pace training at a local track.
If you’re in training for a race, “it’s important to step outside the comfort zone of the typically slow, steady pace of your daily training runs,” says George Buckheit, head coach of Capital Area Runners. “Interval workouts can help you develop race-ready fitness.”
Buckheit offers this track workout of 800 meter and 400 meter repeats. The two-time All American recommends running early in the morning or around sunset. And remember to pack a water bottle—you’ll want to drink several ounces of fluid between each set.
Warm Up: 10 to 15 minutes of easy jogging and light stretching.
Workout: 800- and 400-meter intervals.
Sets: For beginners, two to three sets. For advanced runners, four to six sets.
1. Run 800 meters (two laps) at your 5K pace. If you haven’t run a 5K race recently and don’t have a reference point, select a pace that’s approximately two minutes faster than your typical long-distance-training pace.
2. Jog a slow, relaxed 400-meter (one lap) recovery.
3. Run 400 meters at a pace about three to five seconds faster than your 800-meter pace.
4. Rest for two minutes and be sure to drink some fluids.
5. Repeat the set.
Cool down: 10 to 15 minutes of easy jogging.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Well+Being on Twitter
More >> Health | Top Doctors | Well+Being Blog
