by Larry Eder
The Saucony 500 Mile Challenge is in it’s sixth week now. The three key workouts are the long run on Sunday, the tempo run on Tuesday and the hill workout on Thursday. Truth is, if you have a better way to train for yourself and your team: do it! These are suggestions, as many out there have no one to speak to about training.
Cross country is one of the oldest parts of our sport. It started in the mid 18th century in England with the hounds and harriers idea. A lead runner, the hound, would put out pieces of paper as a trail and the harriers would follow, for perhaps six to nine miles. History does not tell us, but my guess some eating and drinking was involved after.
Cross country is a global sport. In 2014, over 500,000 boys and girls will race cross country in the fifty states. How wil you do? How will your team do? You have to train in the summer to race well in the fall!
Monday, July 21, 2014, Week Six, Day One
You’re starting to get fit, you’re running faster and feeling fitter. Stay focused on your goals. You might begin looking at cross country racing shoes to purchase in the upcoming weeks. And check your training shoes.
Monday: Warm up; 6-mile run (400 Mile: 5 miles/300 Mile: 3 miles); 5×150 yards relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Tuesday: 1-mile warm up; 20-min. tempo run, 1-mile cooldown.To determine your tempo run pace, add a half-minute to your present mile pace for a 5K. For example: if you currently run 19 minutes for a 5K, that’s 6:10 pace. Add 30 seconds and your tempo run pace is 6:40-per-mile. Recalculate your pace as your fitness improves, perhaps once a month.
Wednesday: Warm up; 6-mile run (400 Mile: 5 miles/300 Mile: 3 miles); 5×150 yards relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Thursday: 1-mile warm up; 6 hill repeats (run 200 yds uphill, turn, jog downhill to start. Repeat five more times, no rests); 1-mile easy cool down.
Friday: Warm up; 6-mile run (400 Mile: 5 miles/300 Mile: 3 miles); 5×150 yards relaxed strideouts on grass, jogging back to the start after each, no rest between; cool down.
Saturday: Easy 3-mile run or a walk.
Sunday: Easy 9-mile run on grass or dirt with friends (400 Mile: 8miles/300 Mile: 7 miles).
Week 6 Totals: 500 Mile-38 miles; 400 Mile-35 miles; 300 Mile-27 miles Remember to post your miles on 500MileChallenge.com
