59 Comments
Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

This is something I have been thinking about lately due to some articles I have read. One in particular was from Jonathan at Podium Runner. He espoused the idea of running about 80% is your miles as “junk miles.” He defines them as much easier, slower runs. The idea is to run as many as you can. He said that we do not need to be concerned with getting faster in our day to day runs but that we should do the specific hill and speed training as the other 20%. He cited Kipchoge as an upper tier runner who does this. Kipchoge (according to the article) runs his daily routine at a pace of 3.5 min per mile slower than his marathon pace.

This may not be a new idea, but no one ever made it so clear to me. I know last year when I did my 180+ day streak I seriously violated this protocol. And it burnt me out. I was always trying to run faster and faster to get my speed better. I ended up taking a one month break to recover.

So for me, as I have gotten back into running after the break, I am taking it a lot slower. I have yet to incorporate speed workouts but that is because I need to get back in shape. I have only run about 10-12 times in the past 6-8 weeks. Once I get back to 3 or 4 times per week I will make one of them a speed workout each week. I have a middle school track about 6 houses away from me at the end of my dead end street. So at the least I will do some sprints. Eventually I have some pretty serious hills nearby that I will incorporate as well.

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For me, I find when I consistently start running again and doing 2 things: sleep and a speed workout a week I get faster again. If I don't commit to sleep, I don't get faster. Consistency, speed, and sleep are what work for me.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Getting faster or building endurance are two different things. 5k up to half marathon concentrating on speed, where ultra's are more about endurance and the mental aspect which quickly becomes so important. Not that I'm running ultra's I work more on endurance and hill training as opposed to speed workouts. Tempo workouts are still important but speed intervals have taken a back seat. After 30 or more miles on very hilly terrain the need to do a quarter a few seconds quicker doesn't become a real factor.

I try never to run the same distance twice in same week. Nor the same weekly mileage in a given month. Variety is good for the body and the mind. Getting on a treadmill and running for one minute keeping track of number of times your left foot hits and multiply that by two gives you your cadence. Try increasing your strides per minute without shortening your stride. Few years ago I tried this for about a year, periodically checking my cadence and moved it from 200 to 208.

So, variety of workouts, changing of distances and the types of terrain can all work to help with increasing your speed. Also any time you do a different distance or even a different course you have a new PR. Make subtle changes and chase some new PR's!!

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I’ve got a group of younger guys I run 5 miles with every Wednesday. I’ve found when I run with them it pushes me harder to try to keep up or stay in view with them and I’ve found myself running some stretches in the 8 minute plus per mile that seems to hard for me to do when training alone. I usually run. 1 to 2 miles before meeting these guys as well as 1 mile after to incorporate distance with the speed in between. Been doing this for the last 8 months and my times have been improving even though I’m. 53 years old. At least mentally I know from these runs that I can run paces of that caliber.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

i don't really have a technique. i have to concentrate on picking up my pace. what works best for me is running a race and trying to beat someone in front of me. the best thing though is to run with faster people:)

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Yoga keeps my hips stretched out which helps speed. When I slack on yoga, my times slow down

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

This past 12 week training block has really helped my 'endurance' speed. My coach designed the first 6 weeks with 'Surge' workouts, so about 2 minutes of greater effort (5-6/10 for most of the run, the Surge takes it just up to a 7/10), working my way up to 8 reps over a 6-8 mile run. Those workouts were tough but built up the strength for what came next. The workouts I am doing now are now 'Strides' instead of 'Surges'. So in the middle of a 6 mile run, I do 6 or 8 reps of 20 seconds of about a 9/10 speed, with 2:30 between each rep. Not quite a sprint effort but close. Those seem to really exhaust you at first, but after the third or fourth rep, even though my legs definitely feel like they are slowing, I noticed I am actually running at a faster pace. I know there is something there about the legs being warmed up, but I think the Strides are essentially tricking my brain into running faster once they are over. We will see how this all pays off soon, my race is February 15th!

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Ok, This may work only for me, and I have to admit that I don’t do this purposefully, but, whenever I have a shorter to middle distance (4-10 mile) run that I try to fit in before I have somewhere else I need to be, and I start my run later then intended, I tell myself that I just have to cut it short, but I find myself running faster to try and still get all my miles in. So far, this has helped me PR at least 3 times! 😂

I really can’t recommend this, though.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

At this point, all I have done is run fast enough but comfortable enough to maintain my pace for close to half marathon distance. I’m 61, so I find myself unable to get much faster than a 2:32 half marathon pace. I use to smoke (like what an idiot) for 30 years, so now I am paying for my mistake. I am trying to help myself enjoy the latter part of my life and pray I don’t get cancer!

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I prioritize distance over speed. I’m a new runner (< a year) and I’m doing my third half this weekend (last minute entry into Donna - woo hoo!).

Trying to ramp up speed sounds like too much work and/or risking injury. I’m just not competitive when it comes to running.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I wish I knew...

Seriously, the simple answer is just to get out there and run. Specifically, you can do hill repeats (those have really helped to increase my speed and also my stamina for longer races), and speed and tempo workouts are vital. Ladder workouts help as well. Bottom line, as for most aspects of running, you simply have to find what works for you.

The adage "it's a marathon, not a sprint" also applies to training, in my opinion. [Most of us] are not going to wake up one day and suddenly be on par with Meb; we have to work hard, day in and day out, and the improvement *will* come. We just have to be willing to put in the miles.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

You do hear runner's comments with regards to hills- this seems to be uphill running. How many of us get in regular downhill running. This is especially important for quad strength and of course for trail running. A much neglected aspect of running by many.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I kind of like Steve Magness' approach: "Start backwards; work the extremes, bring it together, never leave anything behind, progress everything."

That is, there is something you can be doing year 'round to touch on the various parts of your running without completely abandoning them. Yes, you still train in phases of particular emphasis, but every few weeks you can still touch on some aspect that is de-emphasized in order to maintain some level of fitness with it.

Now, speaking less to "situational" or specific training phase speed, I find that it makes sense (especially as a 53 y.o. masters runner) to touch on some sort of speed work on a year 'round basis. Do we need off/down time from periodized training phases? Absolutely. Take that very important time off, but when coming back to it or during base building, I think simple unstructured work in the form of accelerations/strides or fartleks is a reasonable approach. It should not be done to the point of exhaustion, but should leave you still feeling fairly fresh. It also should not be a significant portion of your weekly mileage during non-specific training phases.

Not sure how much mention this has gotten yet, as I haven't read all of the way through yet, but hill work and strength work. Hills are pretty well know by most of us here probably as disguised speed work. Also, resistance training of some sort, again, especially as we age is extremely beneficial.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Some of my marathon training teammates love to tell me that running trails 2-3 times a week will not make me faster. But it's that slow, easy, take-it-all-in scenery of the trails that allows me to push myself a little harder when I do a tempo workout, hill workout or sprints on the track or treadmill. Running for 60-90 minutes at a nice easy pace on the trails builds my stamina when race time comes. At 61, when I'm in decent shape and injury free, I can run at a steady pace for the first 12 and then finish strong at the end with a 2:05-2:10 run. Here I come NYC in 6 weeks!!

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I am a 61 YO asthmatic male and a very busy business owner, who wanted to get in better shape mentally and physically through running. 4 months ago I decided to run a half marathon in San Francisco, my first one. I had no idea if I could do it, but I loved to trail run at 18 years old in Vancouver. So what the heck - let’s try it... I finished the race in 2:55, beating my goal of 3 hours. And I got hooked. I signed up for 2 more 1/2’s for 2020.

The thing is - I made a point to NOT worry about the clock, and rather to just pay attention to my body and run to enjoy the run, experiencing the elements and the outdoors and getting in the zone... 40 mph winds, sand in my eye, who cares! What a great day and I can’t wait to do the next one.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I recently have been doing fast treadmill work (Wyoming winters are hard to get outside). I'm running 1/2 to 1 mile per hour faster than I normally do outside and at the end do sprint work for 5-10 minutes. I've noticed a major improvement in my lack of fatigue. I've also incorporated shorter, easier recovery runs, which are very difficult for me and I have found they really help me feel refreshed when it comes time for the longer intense runs. I always do alot of weight and mixed cardio thru the week as well, which keeps me from getting bored and anxious to work in my runs the days their scheduled.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

What works for me is consistent, quality running - with a purpose. Running just to run doesn't cut it for me. With a purpose = every Tuesday is some kind of speed work whether its hill repeats, tempo, intervals; every Saturday is my slow long run and every other week I throw a few miles in at race pace. Thursdays I run 6 miles at race pace. Mondays and Wednesdays are shorter runs at an easy pace. In addition to the above, I also cross train because running isn't enough and it also keeps my joints healthy. I always make sure I get plenty of sleep and I eat a clean diet. This might not appeal to others and I've had people comment on how dedicated I am with my lifestyle - and the above certainly is a lifestyle - but I truly enjoy how great I feel so I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. This is just what I do. I've crossed the line of "habit" and have made it my lifestyle, which I think is easier to stick with.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Also how many here are consuming calories 200-300 per hour along with 18 oz of water or more during their long runs of 17 miles or more? Running long runs without consuming carbs and keeping hydrated is going to effect one's pace quality of your workouts.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I found that when I reduced carbs after a few weeks I lacked the usual energy to do my usual runs. I had increased fat and protein and was eating well over 2500 calories a day but I just started breaking down and had several injuries. I have never been a person to do speed workouts or add additional hill work (where I live there are hills everywhere anyway) but only when I increased the carbs back into my diet that I found running to be effortless again. Don't know if that helps but that has been my experience.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Being late coming into running, I’ve been going through a series of observations of how my body is responding to certain techniques, etc. I find when I don’t focus on a faster pace, or going longer distances/times, improvements happen. I still include tempo and fartlek runs now and again. I love to do hills just for the fun of it. So, I’m really not hard and fast on getting faster. However, I’ve seen my own improvements in areas.

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I’m just reading all these posts....for me, my running has slowed down over the last four years or so. I used to be happy at a 10min pace because, well, I’m never gonna win so just run as I feel. But as the years have past, my pace has gotten slower and slower. I train at about 11-12 minutes/mile and then when I race, I tend to land about 10:45-11 min. I hate this! I really do! I want to be that runner of old where my pace was all feel but I cannot seem to get there again. I also find myself walking for no reason whatsoever when I’m running, and racing and this baffles me. I’m not out of breath or fatigued but I just stop and walk. This year, I am trying to be happy with my running, no matter the pace. This is really hard for me as I compare myself to everyone else(so competitive)! Any ideas on this mental funk I am struggling with?

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I end up doing different workouts some by choice some not so much. I try to do a speed workout on Monday's. On Wednesday I do more of a tempo runs which I try to keep a steady pace, depending on the group I am in, that controls the effort. The other short run of the week is also a slowish style of run although there are times when it is faster. My long run which is on Saturday is currently a race pace run. That will change in April when it gets a little warmer an I can add a cycling session in after the long run.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I try a little bit of everything. I also work on my core and upper body to help with my balance and endurance. Currently and focusing on HIIT training to increase my overall VO2 max which in turn should help my performance overall.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I am currently experimenting with training programs to become faster. The tempo workouts sound great but I have not tried them yet. I usually do interval training workouts if I want to practice running faster. I alternate between one minute of sprinting and two minutes of jogging slowly. I would also like to try taking my training to the track and doing some 400 and 800 meter fast runs. I am open to other ideas as usual. I also think getting sleep plays a key role.

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I practice polarized training: hard days hard and easy days crazy easy (mostly, heh). The base building phase of my current marathon program was almost all easy, zone 1 and I didn’t think it was doing anything for me until I ran a tune-up 10k with a significant PR. Now I’m in the speed-building phase, which has 800s and tempos. I’ve always preferred 1600s but I’m seeing the benefit of the shorter, faster intervals. I love love love tempo runs and have started running them after tough strength sessions—running on tired legs to mimic late half marathon/marathon conditions. I’m definitely getting faster and fitter, slowly but surely.

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Feb 7, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I'm with a local running club (Revoulution Running), we have three group workouts a week. One is either a track workout or hill repeats and the other is an interval run of some sort. I do believe these help make me a better overall runner and hopefully faster. I tend to be all over the place with my goals so I haven't actually tested the running faster part yet but I love doing short intervals, I get to feel like a speedster.

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I go to my local HS track for speed work once per week. The workout varies week to week, but generally consists of various paces for various distances. For example, I'll run 1/4 mile sprints at my one mile pace, 1/2 mile sprints at my 5k pace, and/or mile sprints at my 10k pace. I'll repeat these several times with 1/4 mile recovery between each set. I'll rest the following day and then do a tempo run the day after that.

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