Progress is not linear

Image
What a typical runner’s progression might look like

In the spring of 1996, I lowered my 5K PR from 17:06 to 16:08 in two races. Afterward, I could consistently run in the low 16s. However, lowering that PR just wasn’t happening for the remainder of that track season or the 1997 season.

Then, after a year away from track for reasons that had nothing to do with running, I returned in the spring of 1999 and progressively worked my PR down to 15:43. Sub-16 became routine. I took my 10K PR from 34:12 to 32:57 in a single race. A mid-33, a short time earlier over 30 seconds faster than my PR, would now be a bad race.

Progress is not linear Read More »

How little strength training can you get away with?

Let’s face it: we’re distance runners. We don’t like strength training. I bet that’s true for at least 90% of the people reading this (and, to an extent at the very least, it’s true for the one writing this).

That said, we know of the value of strength training. While there may be some question about direct benefits for running performance or injury prevention, I personally have little to no doubt that there are indirect benefits. Also, it’s well established, especially as we get older, that strength training is very important to our health and well being.

How little strength training can you get away with? Read More »

Personalized training

Image

For as long as HillRunner.com has been around, I’ve been asked why there are no training plans posted on the site. You know the type people are asking about, your “12 weeks to a 5K” plan that you can find in many books and on many websites. My usual answer is “Cookie cutter plans work for cookie cutter people and I have yet to meet a cookie cutter person.”

Personalized training Read More »

What’s your zone?

Same run, different zones?

I’ve been seeing a lot of talk recently about zone 2 running. In a way, this is wonderful. In a way, this is a bit troubling.

Why? Well, it’s wonderful because people are talking about keeping easy runs easy. This is so important. A majority, even significant majority, of your time spent running should be at an easy pace.

What’s your zone? Read More »

Scroll to Top