Renato Canova wrote:
This is the point : how we can define SPECIFIC endurance ?
For a marathon runner able to run at 3'per km (2:06:36), every long run inside 3' and 3'20" has a SPECIFIC impact. The long run inside 3'20" and 3'40" has a SPECIAL impact (it means is the support for the SPECIFIC). Every other speed is in the field of REGENERATION : under the organic point of view, it's useless, also if we continue to use for other reasons (adaptation of the body structure to the distance, adaptation of the mind).
SPECIFIC is everything inside 90 and 100% of the race pace.
SPECIAL is everything inside 75 and 90% of the race pace.
RIGENERATION every speed slower than 75%.
Let's apply this to a common letsrun reader.
18 years old, entering first year of university. Slow twitcher, high aerobic, enduring type, training for 8k cross country race.
PR's from highschool:
400 - 57
1600 - 4:30
3200 - 9:45
8000 road race - 26:30
Mileage: btwn 60 and 90 last year, mostly at 7min pace +- 20 seconds. 1-2 moderate workouts a week.
How should he ideally train the summer before his first university cross country season? How should he train in season?
For comparison, assuming a 2:45 marathon, then using the marathon guidelines for paces:
Specific: 6:17/mile to 6:57/mile
Special: 6:57/mile to 8:00/mile
Using his 8k PR:
Specific: 5:20/mile to 5:55/mile
Special: 5:55/mile to 7:06
What should he do? This assuming you are his coach. The question is for everyone, although especially renato, col. khaddafi, hodgie, nobby...
Thanks very much!