My college just added a track and field program. I've been running long slow distance, a few half marathons for example, for the past couple years, and I'm worried I lost my speed. In HS i was a 2:00 guy.
How long does it take to get back into speed shape after a few years doing long slow distance? Is it just plain gone?
its just plain gone forever...you probably wont ever be able to run sub 2:10 again
jeezus h krist... thing about what you just said.
It won't take too long. You'll need about 3 weeks of workouts to start feeling good again, and your sprint speed will return as well, but it might take a bit longer. Start doing a lot of strides. When I'm in shape I can run 12.00 for 100m and can run 57s for 400m feeling controlled and comfortable. Due to injuries, illness, etc, there've been times I've gone to the track for some strides and 15.0 feels fast, and I doubt I'd have been able to crack 14.0. It's pretty discouraging, but it doesn't take long to get it back. Just work on it a little each week and after a month or so you'll be fine.
thanks guppy for not being a dick.
You'll need a few weeks, but it'll come back. Speed doesn't "go away" until you're in your mid-30s...
You'll have no problem at all getting back after a few months, just stay active and do something with intensity at least once a week if possible. You're still at the age where you get stronger/faster every year.
I took 1.5 yrs off from HS to College and was a 2:03 guy in HS with limited experience. At the end of my Freshman year after not doing any running I was bored and asked the track coach at my college if I could try out to walk on. I ran 1:57 indoors the next year in my first season back. Play pickup sports like Bball or soccer to get your legs moving or strides if you're not into the team sports. As long as you haven't gained a lot of weight you should be fine.
similar dude wrote:
You'll have no problem at all getting back after a few months, just stay active and do something with intensity at least once a week if possible. You're still at the age where you get stronger/faster every year.
I took 1.5 yrs off from HS to College and was a 2:03 guy in HS with limited experience. At the end of my Freshman year after not doing any running I was bored and asked the track coach at my college if I could try out to walk on. I ran 1:57 indoors the next year in my first season back. Play pickup sports like Bball or soccer to get your legs moving or strides if you're not into the team sports. As long as you haven't gained a lot of weight you should be fine.
^^^^This^^^^^, plus guppy's post.