Wednesday Track Workouts

Welcome to the DCRRC Wednesday Night Track Workouts. In conjunction with our year-round distance-specific training programs, and our regular Saturday Long Runs, these workouts aim to give runners of all abilities the fitness to reach their goals. For the novice or casual runner, these workouts will challenge you to a higher level of running fitness. For the competitive runner, track workouts are an essential means to reaching personal bests and to succeed at whatever level you are competing.

Where & When

Unless otherwise noted, workouts are held on the track at Washington-Liberty (formerly Washington-Lee) High School in Arlington. We meet near the concession stand (northwest corner) at 7:10pm and start the workout at 7:15pm. Warmups, drills, etc. are on your own.

Philosophy

Our workouts focus on two of the three forms of speed work used by distance runners from the 5K to the Marathon: Stamina Training (10K race pace or slower) and Interval Training (around 5K race pace). We also do a limited amount of Speed Training (faster than 5K race pace) especially during the summer.

Do not worry if this is new to you, and especially if you feel that track workouts are for "fast" runners. Our posted workouts are suggested "maximums," and can be individually tailored to your current level of fitness and specific running goals. Our coach, Ed Grant, has been leading these workouts for 20 years, and is happy to customize a workout plan to meet your needs.

Paces

To get a sense of how fast you should run during these workouts, we encourage you use the McMillan Running Calculator. You can plug in a recent race time and a goal race time, and the Calculator will churn out Training Paces (click on that term) for everything from long runs to speed paces. We recommend applying Mark Hadley's temperature + dew point adjustments in warm and humid weather. Temperature and dew point forecasts are available from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday Track - 6 to 8 Yasso 800s, 400m jogs

Wednesday Night Hawks

Tonight will be lovely, with Temps in the upper 40s to low 50s, low humidity, and just a bit of wind – near perfect running weather. Again, tracks are open, but no "organized" activities may take place. A few of us will to W&L, Yorktown or even Falls Church HS for track work tonight.

March 3, 2021 – ON THE TRACK ON YOUR OWN: Yasso 800s – 6 to 8 Yasso 800s - at a pace where your expected marathon time in hours and minutes is your 800 pace in minutes and seconds, with 400m easy jogs between each 800 in the exact same time as your 800, not faster or slower

To reiterate how to calculate your 800 time take the hours and minutes of your expected (hoped for) marathon time – in my case three hours and 50 minutes (Dream on!) and convert that to an 800 time of three minutes and 50 seconds, followed by a slow 400m jog in three minutes fifty seconds. It is VERY easy to jog that 400m too fast – but don't do it! Much more critical to run ALL of the 800s at the same pace/time, even as you tire, and fully recover if possible, on that exact same time on the slow 400. Yasso 800s are a favorite of Coach Ed and me, developed by the legendary Coach Bowman from Oregon who coached Pre – one of the best workouts you can do for the marathon!

Club News from Coach Rich:

A few event reminders:
1. Mar 7 is the Burke Lake 12K live race free to club members
2. Mar 7 (that same night) is the club annual meeting (virtual)
3. Mar 14 - Ft. Hunt 10K, live race free to club members
4. We need volunteers for both races.
You can get all the information on each of these and you can register for all of the above at https://www.dcroadrunners.org/

Happy running!

Coach Ed, Coach Big Guy and Coach Rich

 

Wednesday Track - 8 to 10 x 600m in 10k, 400m jogs

Wednesday Night Hawks

Tonight, the weather will be terrific – still warm at nearly 60 degrees (!), not too much wind, and depending on when you start, a little light out. W&L track is clear of ice and snow, just a little damp, and should be safe to run. While there will NOT be an organized workout, a number of people will be running. Even though it will be nice, still bring some water to keep hydrated.

February 24, 2020 - 8 to 10 x 600m in 10k pace - with 400m jog recovery in between

• Fastest Runners: 6:00 to 6:30 Pace, 9 to 10 Intervals
• Fast Runners: 6:30 to 7:00 Pace, 8 – 9 Intervals
• Intermediate Runners: 7:00 to 7:45 Pace, 8 – 9 Intervals
• Regular Runners/MTP Trainees: 7:45 to 10:00 Pace, 8 Intervals

This is another speed workout guaranteed to build both strength and stamina for your spring races. These are tougher than they look, so try to finish strong - push that last 100, and make sure you focus on your running form so you run efficiently, effectively, and injury-free. Up on your toes, knees lifting higher, Arms at your sides, not crossing over. I would ease into these by running the first couple in 10m pace, but also feel free to crush the last couple in 5k pace if you are still feeling frisky.

 

Page 17 of 74

Directions to Track

Track workouts are held on the track at Washington-Liberty (formerly Washington-Lee) High School.

From Washington DC: take I-66 east to the Glebe Road exit, turn right on Glebe, right on 15th Street for about 0.4 miles, to Stafford Street, turn right and cross over I-66 and the school is on your left.
From Vienna and points west in Virginia: take I-66 east to the Fairfax Drive exit, follow Fairfax Drive for about 0.8 mile to Stafford Street, turn left for about 0.3 miles and the school is on your right.
From Alexandria: take Glebe Road going north until turning right on 15th Street, and proceed as from DC.
Metro: Washington-Liberty is a short walk from both the Virginia Square and Ballston Metro stations (Orange/Silver lines).

Upcoming Events

May Happy Hour/Snowball Series Awards Ceremony
Thu, May 23rd, 2024, @6:00pm
DCRRC Women's Distance Festival 5K and Run After the Women 5K
Sun, Jun 9th, 2024, @8:00am
Book Club
Sun, Jun 16th, 2024, @4:00pm
DCRRC Hugh Jascourt 4-Miler
Fri, Jun 21st, 2024, @7:00pm
DCRRC Age Handicapped 4-Miler
Thu, Jul 4th, 2024, @8:00am
DCRRC Bastille Day 4-Miler
Sun, Jul 14th, 2024, @7:00pm
 DCRRlogotypeRRCA member

The DC Road Runners Club is a member of the Road Runners Club of America and is also affiliated with USA Track & Field. We provide a year-round schedule of running events that offer everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.