A lot of the best runners use to do progressively faster intervals ( often ladders ) in their training, but is this
really the optimal way of best handle intervals ? According to me and my long experience and scientific back up the answer must be ... no. It's better to divide the different speed requirements on different workout days. What do you think about it?
If i do progressive intervals it’s mostly because it’s easier mentally.
I'm self coaching so don't really look into it that seriously I guess. I intend to keep the efforts the same but probably just go faster with each rep naturally because that is my style of racing. I always feel to heavy and weak at the start of races and everyone is ahead. I catch up with plenty of people and finish strong. I wish my finishes were like the rest of my race and I would be a fast runner
Jack Daniels also went with same-pace interval work IIRC.
But we're coaching athletes and not events. For some runners, running progressively faster makes them feel that they're...well, progressing. Which is not a bad thing.
JohnnyS wrote:
If i do progressive intervals it’s mostly because it’s easier mentally.
It's easier physically too. And better physiologically.
Works for Cheptegei he can run even pace or finish fast because of this type of training.
Discus.
Generally I would agree. An even paced interval session gets progressively harder anyway.
Useful having a split pace rep tp develop a kick.
You should do the intervals at whatever pace allows you to recover for the next rep. Why would you do your intervals fast? You should really either jog a the easiest pace that will still keep you loose or just stand.
fast rest intervals? wrote:
You should do the intervals at whatever pace allows you to recover for the next rep. Why would you do your intervals fast? You should really either jog a the easiest pace that will still keep you loose or just stand.
Well......now it wasn`t a question of the rests between the reps. You know that when we talk about intervals we mean the fast reps even if it`s correct as you say that "interval" actually means the rest periods between the reps.
Why not do both? Personally, I prefer to run consistent intervals earlier in the season, and later in the season I will progress at the end of workouts. For example, if doing an 8x400 workout at 1500/mile pace, I may start the season with consistent 62-63 repetitions, and later in the season I will change it to 66-65-64-63-62-61-60-59, with the same rest. The first workout is a bit harder, and gets in solid volume at mile pace, whereas the second workout is actually a bit easier but allows me to focus on a fast finish, so I feel fresher going into major races but I'm still hitting a sub-60 quarter (which is the closing speed I need in a conference mile or 1500).
Good question.
Cheptegei and Canova prescribe progressively faster intervals heading into peak racing.
I’m sure there is not one approach that works for all athletes.
SUPERIOR COACH JS wrote:
fast rest intervals? wrote:
You should do the intervals at whatever pace allows you to recover for the next rep. Why would you do your intervals fast? You should really either jog a the easiest pace that will still keep you loose or just stand.
Well......now it wasn`t a question of the rests between the reps. You know that when we talk about intervals we mean the fast reps even if it`s correct as you say that "interval" actually means the rest periods between the reps.
An interval is the rest between reps, so yes, this is exactly what you are asking about.
ukathleticscoach wrote:
Generally I would agree. An even paced interval session gets progressively harder anyway.
Useful having a split pace rep tp develop a kick.
+1 .....a good point I agree.
train smart. wrote:
JohnnyS wrote:
If i do progressive intervals it’s mostly because it’s easier mentally.
It's easier physically too. And better physiologically.
Works for Cheptegei he can run even pace or finish fast because of this type of training.
Discus.
That it would be better physiologically with progressive intervals( the reps) compared to even paced there is no scientific evidence for.