The word fartlek means “speed play” in Swedish, and that’s exactly what these two countdown fartlek workouts are: playful, fun workouts. Every workout has a purpose. The purpose of some workouts is not to prepare you for your next PR or push the limits of your mental toughness, but to remind you why you enjoy running. You can use a stopwatch, interval timer, or program the workout into your GPS watch. There’s no pressure for perfection here - don't worry about distance or even precise ...
Is Heart Rate Training Beneficial for Runners?
If you ask a runner or coach about heart rate training, you typically get one of two reactions. They either love it and swear that it made them faster, or they don’t rely on it as a valuable metric. Is heart rate training beneficial or not? If so, how do you effectively use it as part of your training? Who Benefits from Heart Rate Training? Two types of runners will benefit from most from heart rate training: those who struggle to train in the appropriate zones and novice ...
Why and How to Cool Down After a Run
It’s tempting to finish that last interval of a workout and call it a day. The hard work is done, right? But before you can shower and eat, it is beneficial to cool down after a run. Purpose of a Cool Down The most basic purposes of a cooldown are to transition from work to rest and to start the recovery process. Cooldowns are most beneficial after a hard workout (tempo run, interval run, etc) or long run. The harder the effort, the more important it is to gradually bring your ...
Athlete Accomplishments: September 2019
September initiated fall racing season - and it was a strong start for Team Norris Running athletes! September included multiple tune-up races and goal races. Even though some runners still dealt with summer heat, it was a month of breakthroughs and affirmations of hard work paying off. Mariah ran a 7K race with a strong, fast finish! Mark ran a 1:28 tune-up half at the New Haven Road Race and a 64-min time at the Bronx 10 miler in preparation for NYCM! Emma ran a negative split ...
Top Nutrition Tips for Marathoners and Half Marathoners
You trained hard for months, worked on your mental toughness, and tapered appropriately. The only thing that remains is race day itself. As all runners know, race day is not just simply showing up at the start line and then crossing the finish line. A successful, enjoyable marathon or half marathon requires having strategies for pacing, coping with discomfort, and nutrition. A smart, individualized nutrition strategy can set up you for a strong race; the lack of one can lead to bonking at the ...
A Coach’s Top Tips for New Half Marathoners
The half marathon is one of the most popular race distance in America. It’s long enough to require committed training and to present a challenge, but without the intense time and energy commitment of the marathon. Every year, more runners sign up for their first half marathon. If that’s you, here are some tips for new half marathoners to help you train for the race and enjoy your experience. Pick a Plan Appropriate for Your Fitness Level A novice runner (running for less than 12 ...