Tempo runs/Speed work (Running)

lorierin22

Can someone direct me to any previous posts about this topic or would anyone be willing to explain these concepts to me. I would like to train for a half marathon in February and I'm guessing I need to be doing these things, but not really sure what they are or how to accomplish this. Right now I do most of my running on the treadmill (due partially to the heat and partially to my laziness of not wanting to wake up at 5am to run), but I do intend to get outside at least for my long run of the week once my real training starts. I run about 2-3 miles at a time right now (3-4x/week), but it just constant speed between 5.2 and 5.5 mph. I have in the past ran intervals, 2 min at 5, 1 min 6.5, 3 min 5.2, etc....but i have no plan, it's just random based on how i'm feeling. Any advice (or direction to a post where this has been discussed before) would be very helpful. Thanks!

scottb81

Read McMillan's six step training system article at this link http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/articles. That should give you a good understanding of the purpose of the various types of runs. You can then use the pace calculator at the same site to calculate the paces you should train at for each workout for optimal progress.

RunsForFood

Honestly, for my first half I didn't do anyt tempo runs or speed training. I just ran the distance I needed to in whatever time I did it in. And I actually did pretty good in the race too! But I'm not sure if that was the best idea....now when I train I do add tempo runs and I am about to start doing speed work at the track.

I just wanted to make sure I could cross the finish line first, now that I know I can I am working towards a better time!

Good luck