Speedwork for Marathoners

Good article from Greg McMillan in Running Times. In case you did not see it, here is the link.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=20190

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:Good article from Greg McMillan in Running Times. In case you did not see it, here is the link.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=20190

Thanks for the article link Michele. I particularly like the line..."Fast repeats challenge you to turn your legs over and
help avoid the "marathoner shuffle.""

Exactly, Nick - and I truly believe that statement. Since going back to speed work, I can see and feel the difference in my everyday runs as well.

Yeah I remember when that article came out. I also remember telling myself I was going to do more interval speed workouts also. I have to agree that I like the statement that Nick posted about turnover and getting away from the "marathon shuffle".

I think that there will come a day were I may add these type of workouts into my marathon training but for me I just don't see the benefit of running 200m or 400m for the marathon. For me I would rather spend my time doing LT workouts were I can still get the benefit of leg turnover and at the same time still working my aerobic system and improving my ability to process lactic acid hence the benefit of being able to hold a certain pace for a longer time. I also find doing more fartlek workouts with pick-ups of 200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m in a longer run to be more of benefit for me to be ready for the marathon.

I know there are going to be people out there that will argue that this type of workout for the marathon is good. And I'm not disagreeing I think there are benefits in this type of workouts but for me and were I feel I am at in my training I rather spend my time training a different way. Again that old saying that I love everyone is different and it's all about finding what works best for one to have the confidence that they can hit their goals in racing and feel confident that they are improving.

Good article I did like it and see where it can have it's place in marathon training.

cool, bookmarked

I'm gonna need all the help I can get to beat John Edwards.

I've bookmarked this as well. I imagine you could transition from stride(r)s in your base weeks to this structured workouts later on, too.

I like the part about breaking the monotony of training. Marathon training can be pretty monotonous, which is why I'm abandoning Pfitz's plans for a return to Hal's. I need more variety!