adsfdasfasfsafadfa wrote:
I often wonder what the best speed for distance runners program is. If all you care about speed, then there are numerous sprint systems that you can use that have been shown to work. But if you are a 5k runner looking to be faster, do you want to be doing a strength program that will add 5lbs of upper body muscle and then do some plyometric workout that takes 2 days to recover from? Or do you want a program that will make you say 1s faster over 400m instead of 2s but that lets you keep on training on your more event specific needs? Is working on top end sprint form worth it or are you better off working running faster with more like 800m form?
There's certainly no one right way that works for everyone. Distance runners are very unlikely to gain weight from lifting, running high mileage does a lot to keep that from happening.
We've covered top end speed a lot, but I'll sum up a lot by saying, I like it because the investment is relatively small with very little risk and offers a lot of reward. Most people can find 1 day a week to do 4-6 sprints lasting under 10s and not have to change any other parts of their training.
If you've tried working out with 800m runners doing their specific workouts you'll know just how hard they are. For a 5k kid it may have more direct correlation from a single workout, but you have to plan your whole week around that kid surviving a pure 800m session. 5x60m, not so much.