Cross Training Questions
cross country with speed/track workouts?
I am an 800m runner who is building my base mileage by training with the cross-country team. While I am doing XC should I also be going to the track and doing speed workouts or running on high incline on my treadmill for hill workouts? I ran a 2:16 last year as an 8th grader and I want to get as low as possible this track season. What other workouts should I be doing from now until track season starts in April that will let me achieve my maximum potential in the 800m
Public Comments
- RUn on hills and integrate your XC workouts with intervals. (TImed sprints, duh, dunno if you use that term too.) Have you considered subscribing to RUnner's World?
- Most definitely....mix "speed work" in with your distance running. The distance is good for increased endurance, but you still need to work your "fast twitch" muscles with speed work. Try doing a series of 200s after your distance runs - say 8 of them. Run halfway around the track and then cut straight across the infield for your rest period and repeat.
- No, don't worry about speed or track workouts right now. Do XC and keep on a routine of just miles. Your speed takes less time to develope, thats why pre season track is all intense with sprinting drills and fartlicks for distance runners. Starting right now will throw your coaches off and you might peak too early in the season. Only thing you need to worry about to keep your fast twitch muscles is doing a lap of strides after your workout.
