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Wednesday Track - 2 x 17:30 Minutes Tempo, 3 minute rest

Wednesday Night Hawks -

The weather Tonight will in the mid to upper 80s, so Hot, particularly since none of us has run locally with the temps this high since early last fall. W&L track is officially closed tonight, although some people have been known to jump the fence, but Yorktown is open until dark if you want to try there. Falls Church and McLean High Schools are also apparently available.

April 28th, 2021 – 2 x 17:30 minute Tempo Runs (These at 10m or better pace), with 3:00 minute standing rest with Water Break

Water breaks are important ALL year round, especially when it is hot as tonight, so remember to hydrate before, during and after your runs - after each interval

NOTE: I expect to see your heart rates in the Mid 80% of Maximum range, and if your rates are higher, you need to slow down!

Fastest Runners: 6:15 to 7:00 Pace

Fast Runners: 7:00 to 7:30 Pace

Intermediate Runners: 7:30 to 8:30 Pace

MTP Trainees/People in Coach Big Guys Pace Group: 8:30 to 10:45 Pace

This week's workout is a solid base workout, and this is a nice break from the more intensive speed work we have been doing. Take it easy on the first interval, accelerating slowly up to 10m pace. When you hit 17:30, stop and walk back to the start if on a track (stop and walk if on the streets), get some water, and then start the second 17:30-minute interval where we want you to do the same - accelerate slowly but steadily to 10m pace, with perhaps a couple of final laps (or the last 5 minutes if on the streets) at 10k pace. Both of these runs are great opportunities to learn to make moves in longer races where you accelerate to catch and pass runners who are running a steady pace.

Wednesday Track - 3 x 1600m in 10k Pace, 400m jogs + 2 x 400m in 5k 200m jog

Wednesday Night Hawks

Tonight will be a bit chilly, with temps in the low 50s, and very windy with gusts from 18 to 22 MPH and much lower wind chills, so plan accordingly. We picked a longer interval workout so that we don't have anyone straining muscles because they tried to sprint in this wind chilly weather. The only open Arlington Track is at Yorktown, but I understand that McLean and Falls Church HS tracks are usually open except for games or track meets – and even Yorktown is closed for that.

April 21, 2021 ON THE TRACK ON YOUR OWN: 3 x 1600m in 10k Pace, with 400m jogs between, then 2 x 400m in 5k with 200m jog

Fastest: 5:45 to 6:30 Pace, 15 to 30 seconds faster on the 5k Pace

Fast: 6:30 to 7:15 Pace, 15 to 30 seconds faster on the 5k Pace

Intermediate: 7:15 to 8:00 Pace, 15 to 30 seconds faster on the 5k Pace

Coaches/MTP Trainees: 8:00 to 10:00 Pace, 15 to 30 seconds faster on the 5k Pace

When your track intervals lengthen to a mile, it is sometimes difficult to remember that you really want to change your form, style, cadence, etc. from your standard runs, but you really should. It makes a big difference if you switch your form to speed work – focus on lifting your knees, getting up on your toes, and using your arms in sync to lift the opposite leg. Don't fall into the trap of lengthening your stride – cadence should increase measurably on the track as opposed to the road and trail. Keep your core still and relaxed, and do not cross your arms over your body mid-point – this will swing your core (thus not still) and throw your stride off. On these longer intervals, break them down – for example, on Lap 1 focus on form – am I up on my toes and lifting knees? Lap 2 – am I relaxed – am I pushing while not getting to tense? Lap 3 – how is my breathing – through my nose and mouth - deeply? Lap 4 – Finish strong, but remember we are doing the traditional 2 x 400m in 5k Pace to finish, so let's try to leave a little in the tank for those.