I know some athletes like Rupp will do a tempo even after a full out performance, is there any benefit from doing speedwork/tempo stuff after a race?
I know some athletes like Rupp will do a tempo even after a full out performance, is there any benefit from doing speedwork/tempo stuff after a race?
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joecrunner wrote:
I know some athletes like Rupp will do a tempo even after a full out performance, is there any benefit from doing speedwork/tempo stuff after a race?
This is a great question.
Look at it this way, let's say you are only doing 3 interval sessions a week. Let's say after an all out race performance, after a cool down, you are not wiped out. You already know "tomorrow" is going to be an easy/recovery day, putting in some moderate or tempo work after recovering from a race, gives you a nice "hard effort" day, before a recovery day.
Take as an extreme, for instance, an 800 meter runner, he/she runs a few miles warm up, some strides, then races. Warms down. He.she has what, a 3.5 mile day?
Why not do a recovery jog, hydrate with a sports drink, maybe a gel, and do some more moderate track work?
Basically you finish off a hard day with some more work if you are up to it.
And I am sure Alberto only has Rupp/his athletes do this kind of thing when they are up to it. Otherwise it is ice, physio, post race meal, rest, etc.
...I used to do tempo's after every away meet/race in high school. I'd have my coach stop the bus, and I race the bus the last 5 miles back to school. With 3 stoplights (country roads), the bus having to off load the team in the bus parking lot etc., by the time everyone was in the locker room getting ready to go home...I'd stroll in 5 minutes later and they couldn't believe I'd gotten there so fast. It was actually some of the most fun tempo's I ever did...post race jitters or stress was over, I was undefeated my Senior year except in 2 races, so it was some of the most enjoyable running for the pure love of running I got to do...no stress...next day was a rest day...hammer time!
You know, it is kinda funny that this message board almost never talks about the pure joy of running hard...
I never actually even thought about going to do a workout/tempo run after a race, but it does sound like a great idea and quite fun!
And I agree, we don't talk enough about how fun it is to just rip it for the helluvit sometimes!
Just run for the love of it! ! !