FLRC workouts for the week of April 20th

adamengst · April 20, 2020, 3:19pm

I’m hearing from more and more people who are doing these workouts each week, and it’s great to hear that they’re providing some useful structure in a time when it’s tough for everyone to train. Keep those questions and comments coming!

Middle Distance Workouts (5K to 15K)

We have some harder workouts this week, and next week we’ll pull back a little (he says out loud so he remembers to do that next week).

Workout 1: 5-10 sets of 2 minutes at I pace, followed by 1-minute jogging recoveries. The range of reps here is pretty wide, depending on your mileage, fitness level, and how you’re feeling. I expect this simple-sounding workout will turn out to be pretty difficult, since there’s so little rest, so monitor your body toward the end, and make sure you don’t overdo it. There’s no shame in cutting a workout short to stay healthy to run another day.
Workout 2: 4-5 by 1 mile at M pace (marathon race pace, or a bit slower than T pace), with a 3-minute jogging rest after each repetition. When you’re done with the M-pace work and rested, do 6 by 30-second strides (30 seconds at R pace, followed by 30 seconds of jogging). Focus on maintaining good running form while doing the strides.
Long Run: 25-30% of your weekly mileage at E pace

Long Distance Workouts (Half Marathon to Marathon)

Make sure you’re fresh for your long run, whenever that is in the week!

Workout 1: 20 minutes steady at M pace effort, 3 minutes jogging, 10 minutes at T pace effort, 3 minutes jogging, 5 minutes at I pace effort, 3 minutes jogging, and finally 2 minutes at R pace effort before you go into an easy cooldown. I’m specifying effort intentionally here, since as you tire out, you may not be able to hit your exact paces (especially if the terrain or wind works against you), and what’s important is that the effort be appropriate. The goal of this workout is to increase effort throughout the workout, culminating in a kick to the finish. The 3-minute recoveries can be lengthened if you don’t feel recovered enough to start the next rep after 3 minutes.
Long Run: 25-30% of your weekly mileage at E pace

Resources

Introduction: Background and advice, particularly for those not running 20-25 miles per week
COVID-19 Advice: Be considerate and stay healthy with our recommendations.
Warmup: Jay Johnson’s Leg Swings and Lunge Matrix, then at least 10 minutes of jogging
Cooldown: At least 10 minutes of jogging, then Jay Johnson’s Strength and Mobility
Pace Calculator: Jack Daniels VDOT Running Calculator

audrey-balander · April 20, 2020, 11:04pm

Masks are still a problem

D_G_Rossiter · April 21, 2020, 11:40am

It’s impossible to do a good workout or even a normal run with a mask. So I go out on almost-deserted trails, and the streets and roads are pretty empty now also. When I do encounter another runner/walker, we stop running (so no panting, no spewing breath), move to opposite sites of the trail, pass each other and then go on our separate ways. I notice everyone has figured this same thing out. Yesterday I did 50 min in upper Buttermilk and had to step aside this way about four times, the other times the groups were very far from me already. People are naturally spreading out as much as possible.

gplwoo · April 21, 2020, 7:03pm

This week’s marathon workout was a challenging mental game but fun! I found the 10 min T pace section the most challenging and probably saved a little too much energy for the last 2 min kick which felt too short, probably because I’d psyched myself up so much for it. Thanks Adam for posting these workouts, it helps add variety and structure to all these solo runs.

adamengst · April 21, 2020, 7:54pm

I was hoping this one would engage your brain in ways that 40 minutes at a single pace won’t. If we do something like this again, pay attention to which pace feels the hardest and which you’ve psyched yourself up to and see how you handle it differently.

Workouts like this are designed in part to keep you focused, which is important when racing. That lets you respond to what others are doing, roll with the terrain, and deal with the unexpected. Like this: