Training

Summer Training

First, it's important to recognize that everyone has different ways of training over the summer and chooses different levels of mileage and different workouts to get themselves in shape by the start of the semester. Given that, here is an example of a summer training plan if you're looking for a more formalized structure. It's fairly basic and is a variation of a plan used by UNC's former XC coach for the guy's team. If you use it, adapt it to your fitness and past mileage.



UNC men's summer training plan - 2009: Coach Watson

For me summer is a very important part of the year when it comes to the training cycle. Most importantly do not do too much short  intensity! Workouts are to be run by feel and it is important to stay healthy. We always increase the pace on the workouts not decrease towards the end.

What I am looking for when my athletes show up on campus for the first day of practice is that they have very good general fitness. Meaning the body has accumulated enough miles to handle to increased workloads and stresses of the upcoming season but without feeling as if you are fit to race.  September is not the championship portion of the season and I don’t want any September superstars as we call them here. Athletes who are at their very best in early season meets only to fade when it matters.  I want everyone to be stronger come October and November and staying away from short intensities in the summer is the best way to do this. So put in miles and build your aerobic system as much as possible . ACC’s and NCAA regionals is when it is important to be fit and ready, do not over do it in the summer.

So with all that said here is what I am looking for in your training coming this July through August.

The first 2 weeks will have 1 session plus a long run, after that each week you will have two sessions plus a long run. You can do these sessions any day of the week. Try and do these on days you feel fresh and good. Use the days in between to recover and put in good volume.

 Guys
July 8th-14th
                        Session 1-        45 minute progression run with a 10-15 minute warmup and a 10-15 minute cool down. Run each 10 minutes a little faster than the previous 10 minutes and run the last 5 minutes very hard

                        Long Run-       Be smart with this minimum 70 minutes no more that 90 minutes. We will add 5 minutes each week.

July 15th-21st              
                        Session 1-        5x8 minutes with 2 minutes jogging recovery. Run these moderate with each segment getting faster

                        Long Run-       If you have never run more than 70 minutes before last week stay at 70. Those of you accustomed to higher mileage no more that 95 minutes.

July 22nd-28th
                        Session 1-        45 minute progression run with a 10-15 minute warmup and a 10-15 minute cool down. Run each 10 minutes a little faster than the previous 10 minutes and run the last 5 minutes very hard
                       
Session 2-        Fartlek of 4 x 7 minutes with 3 minutes jogging in between each run. Each 7 minute segment is faster than the previous. We always want to be increasing speed not decreasing!

                        Long run-        lower mileage guys 75-80 minutes Higher mileage guys up to 100 minutes

July 29th-August 4th
                        Session 1-        50 minute progression run. Same as earlier week each 10 minute segment faster. Run a 10-15 minute warmup and a 10-15 minute cooldown

                        Session 2-        5 x 6 minutes with 3 minutes jogging in between. Again each segment gets faster

                        Long Run-       We should all be at minimum of 80 minutes and a maximum of 100 minutes is good. We can start running the last 10% of the run upbeat if you feel good

August 5th-11th
                        Session 1-        50 minute progression run. Same as earlier week each 10 minute segment faster. Run a 10-15 minute warmup and a 10-15 minute cooldown

                        Session 2-        8 x 4 minutes with 2 minutes recovery jogging. Again each one gets faster
                        Long Run-       We should all be at minimum of 80 minutes and a maximum of 100 minutes is good. We can start running the last 10% of the run upbeat if you feel good


Points to consider

On your recovery days do not run too fast. A minimum of 45 minutes to a maximum of 70 minutes. Put the miles in but be careful of the intensity.

Try and get in two runs at least 4 days a week. If you are not used to running doubles do the second session by riding your bike or go swimming.

Stay healthy, pay attention to your body if you are tired slow down your runs but get the time in.
If you have pain or soreness do not be afraid to cross train for a few days. Better a few days in the pool or on the bike now than letting a full blown injury occur and being sidelined for weeks!

No comments:

Post a Comment