Do you guys prefer grinding threshold sessions on the track or on a road route? And why? What’s more recommended and is there even a difference in improving more than the other?
Do you guys prefer grinding threshold sessions on the track or on a road route? And why? What’s more recommended and is there even a difference in improving more than the other?
It may help to mimic race conditions. If you're racing on the roads than it may be helpful to run the threshold on the roads on a similar style course (e.g., hilly v. flat, concrete v. asphalt, etc).
ball_slapper28 wrote:
Do you guys prefer grinding threshold sessions on the track or on a road route? And why? What’s more recommended and is there even a difference in improving more than the other?
Of course, on the road. It’s the same workout and running on a track is tedious.
I'd pick track, but you should be warned it gets very boring and somewhat tedious at ~3.5 in. And if you're running it too hard it'll be worse
The road for sure. I wouldn't do anything more than a 2 mile continuous effort (ie 2 mile reps) on the track - it will get just so freaking boring. A good cross country course or a smooth trail would be better than either.
Early on in a block when I may not be in great fitness yet: I do it on the track to hit paces with no elevation affect.
Late in the block: I do it on roads to mimic race conditions.
Timing wrote:
Early on in a block when I may not be in great fitness yet: I do it on the track to hit paces with no elevation affect.
Late in the block: I do it on roads to mimic race conditions.
It’s still the same exact workout effect, but it seems you prefer running laps on the track.
Tediousness - it must be considered, as many have mentioned. Some people thrive on it, some people deal with it, some loathe it.
Race simulation - this depends on whether your race is on the roads or a track. If you're prepping for an outdoor 10k or an indoor 5k - the track may be a better way to simulate.
Surface conditions - track is generally softer than road, and generally has less risk of a pothole or curb to trip you up.
Traffic - tracks have no cars or trafficlights and generally have fewer bikes / strollers / dogs / pedestrians
Measurement - presumably you have a functioning gps watch. If not, then the track is the place to be unless you have a measured and marked path or road course.
Recently I have used a combination of both surfaces: I warm up on the roads and do 1-1.5mi of tempo on roads heading towards a track and segue directly into 2-3mi of tempo on the track, and then segue directly back into the last 1-1.5mi of tempo on the roads again.
ball_slapper28 wrote:
Do you guys prefer grinding threshold sessions on the track or on a road route? And why? What’s more recommended and is there even a difference in improving more than the other?
it's generally boring as heck after a few laps, but I try to do mine on a track to try to stay right in the band of effort I'm targeting. If 5 miles of continuous effort is too mentally painful, do 2 x 2.5 with a brief break in the middle. You won't affect the workout and you'll get a mental respite for just a bit.