I am trying to figure out what my best event is, i.e. whether i have more speed or endurance. Here are my PR's: 2:09, 4:46, 10:38, 17:02... which of these times would you consider best/worst compared to the others and which ones should I focus on?
I am trying to figure out what my best event is, i.e. whether i have more speed or endurance. Here are my PR's: 2:09, 4:46, 10:38, 17:02... which of these times would you consider best/worst compared to the others and which ones should I focus on?
800/mile.. i think the mile is the most standout? I would focus on that.
slowkid wrote:
I am trying to figure out what my best event is, i.e. whether i have more speed or endurance. Here are my PR's: 2:09, 4:46, 10:38, 17:02... which of these times would you consider best/worst compared to the others and which ones should I focus on?
how about comparing the times to the current HS record. Although training can fix these things.
I'm thinking more speed than endurance. I remember when I ran 4:48 for the mile I could do a 10:12 2 mile.
is that 17:02 for 3 miles or 5k?
if its 5k, then your 2 mile time can come down a lot - you're running 5:19s for 2, and 5:27s for 3; i'd say train long for xc, and work on speed for track. you'll be suprised at how fast you can run then.
Train long and focus on your weaknesses.
17:02 for 5k... as for comparing my times to hs records, i'm a second year runner and i'm doing really low mileage
For numbers to go with these opinions, check out http://www.mcmillanrunning.com There is a calculator on there that you can use to compare times from different races. Hope this helps.
trackhead wrote:
Train long and focus on your weaknesses.
That's all wrong. Exploit your strengths, mitigate your weaknesses. A code to live by.
I disagree. For someone such as myself, I am most lacking in basic speed. It's my greatest weakness. So, to combat that I work on it everyweek and race at short distances to improve my ability at the longer distances at which I am alrady competitive.
It's the same deal with Gebrselassie. 3000m is a weaker event for him (amazingly enough) and he uses the indoor season to improve his ability at 3k to improve his potential at 10k (and in some cases 800/1500). Same with Coe, racing 400 and 3000m.
trackhead wrote:
It's the same deal with Gebrselassie. 3000m is a weaker event for him (amazingly enough) and he uses the indoor season to improve his ability at 3k to improve his potential at 10k (and in some cases 800/1500). Same with Coe, racing 400 and 3000m.
You're speaking for Geb and Coe now? Cool.
Exploit your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. go to the mirror if you have to and repeat.
I see you 800 and mile as better performances thanthe 2mile or 5k. Indicates your weakness is endurance, which could mean you have put little into developing endurance or are designed for better performances at shorter distances, and as you improve there the longer ones will remain relative to the shorter distances. I tend to say to work on your weakness in the early season and concentrate on your strenghts later in the season when you want your better performances. Until you spend time on various kinds of training you can't really say where you are better off spending your time -- cover all bases and see how it goes.
I was going to convey nearly the same message as Jtupper, so I won't add to his words.
Your 2:09 is about equal to a 4:44,10:08, and 16:19 (provided they are all on the same surfaces and in the same weather conditions), I figure. Analyzing your PRs, you clearly lose pace over time. Most likely you have insufficient aerobic endurance due to either genetic reasons or lack of training focus on it.
My advice is to give yourself more condtioning by doing more volume of whatever works for you. I am especially in favor, as a general rule, of mixing various types of training throughout the year and avoiding blocking training into just mileage or just speed, for example. The key is blending your training and doing it week after week, month after month. There are no shortcuts, just consistent training and gradually increasing the workload over your career. Also, don't neglect one thing just because it isn't your favorite thing to do. Finally, listen to Malmo's advice about focusing on your strengths; it is good! Sure, one must do some things that one isn't that good at, naturally, but certainly it is a very small percentage of your training plan. I wouldn't tell a sprinter to run 20 mile runs, but I might have them run 20 minutes easy on their non-speed days. Converesly, I wouldn't tell a marathon to run lots of 400m speed workouts, but I would say do a small amount of faster, shorter running every other week, pehaps weekly for some. Whereas 8 x 200m fast would be good for a sprinter, 3-4 x 200m at 800m to mile pace might be good for a long distance runner who has very little basic speed. Tinman