
For example, you might do a 20-minute jog, eight 400-meter repeats with a two-minute recovery job in between each, and a 10-minute cool-down jog. After warming up, you’ll do repeats of 400-, 800-, or 1600-meter sprints. Speedwork is all about (surprise!) quick bursts of speed, which trains you to run more efficiently. There are a two types of runs you can do on threshold days: speedwork or a tempo run. “But if you can train to maintain your speed while feeling the burn, your body will eventually learn to tire less,” he says. When your body starts producing acid during intense exercise, you start to ‘feel the burn’ and slow down your pace out of necessity, explains Harrison. Threshold run: These runs teach you how to push past your comfort zone.

The point of these miles is too flush out your legs and continue to build strength (every step counts!) without overtaxing your body.Ģ. “You should be running at a comfortable pace-a pace where you can hold an easy conversation, say, a 4 to 6 effort out of 10,” says Mandje. Easy run: These are meant to be slow, recovery miles at the start of the week. “Each one of these runs has different benefits for your running performance, and since the real gains don’t happen until after your workout, giving your body that time to recover can really help.”ġ. Then, “your running plan is going to break down into one easy run, one threshold workout, and one long run, ideally with one day of recovery in between,” says Mandje.
