Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A Sense of Purpose and Passion

When training everyone must have a purpose and have goals:    

You have to have good days, weeks and months of practice so you can take it into the competition. You have to think personal record (PR) and to go as hard as you can and not give up. You have to work on mental toughness and think carefully about today, do not worry about tomorrow, each day has enough troubles of it own.  If you have a bad day you have to come back with poise and composure and still have confidence.  When you compete, you have to come out and feel ready to go. You have to want to perform your best. You won't improve in the race if others in the race are forcing their pace, run your own pace. You have to come with a positive mind set and push yourself as far as you can.  Be smart, know your competitors. You are always working towards a lifetime best performance.

Things to work on and off the field: work on your character every single day, every week, every month and throughout the year. Don't think you can coast along without putting in extra effort. It's important to get your vitamins every day, know which foods are naturally highest in vitamins, you need vitamin A, eat carrots; take a multi; eat two kiwifruits, it packed with more vitamin C than oranges, plus it has more potassium than a banana and more fiber than a bowl of oatmeal; eat nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and leafy greens; consider fortified cereals or a supplement; eat oranges and beets; and drink tap water it contains minerals. 

Don't be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it. Don't be disrespectful, insensitive and wrong, be sympathetic. Tell yourself, you are going to practice regularly to advance. You must develop a sense of reasoning to have a purpose. Before you make the commitment be clear about your purpose. 

Coach George Payan

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Specific Endurance Phase

Week 16-19/21

Specific Endurance 4-6 weeks 
Volume runs, specific pace and race pace running.

Training week:  optional I like to run two speed workouts (Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday); Racing week:  three recovery runs before the race: Wednesday  recovery run 60 minutes; Thursday recovery run 40 minutes; and Friday rest or recovery run 20 minutes; Race on Saturday.  Run one hour or 4-5 miles on Sunday easy recovery run after a race.

Week 20 or 22
Final Preparation 2 - 3 weeks
Reduce weekly volume by 20%
Work on specific pace and race pace running

Week 21 or 23
Reduce weekly volume by 30%
Work on specific pace and race pace running.

Week 22 or 24
Reduce weekly volume by 60%
Work on specific pace and race pace running.

Week 23-24 or 25-26
Active Rest Schedule

Rest for 2 days (Rest means no training)
Run 1 day for 32 minutes
Rest for 2 days (Rest means no training)
Run 1 day for 32 minutes
Rest for 2 days (Rest means no training)
Run for 3 days  (32, 40, 48 minute runs)
Rest for 2 days (Rest means no training)

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Strength Phase (Running Hills & Weight Training)

Week 11-14
Strength Phase 4 weeks
  
After the aerobic period, you begin with the strength phase, this is the time to continue hitting the weights and incorporate tempo cross country runs, hill training and repetition running it is the best way to improve running economy, it builds up running specific strength and hill training is great for uplifting lactate threshold. 

In the strength phase run 100% of the volume miles per week, focus on long runs in the hills, and recovery runs.

During the Strength Phase start repetition running at 80-82% with 3-5 minute recovery intervals. Progress throughout the season in intensity level.  If you don't meet the times in the speed workouts, you could spend several weeks even an month(s) at the percentage level, repeat the same pace until you meet the times in the speed workout. A 4:00 minute miler starts at 80% running repeats miles at 5:00.  A 4:24 miler starts at 80% running repeats miles at 5:30.  A 5:00 miler starts at 80% running repeat miles at 6:15.  A 5:24 miler starts at 80% running repeats miles at 6:45.  After meeting the pace time goal then progress to 82%, 85%, 88%, 91-92%. Your goal is to reach 92% of your intensity level.
  
Warm-up routine on speed workout(s) or race day(s):
12 minute easy run
stretch
400 meter jog
6-8 x (60-80 meters) 100 meters work-up to race pace (one minute cycle)
400 meter jog
Speed workout/Race
cool down - 7 minute jog (bare footed on the grass).

After the Strength Phase (4 weeks) insert rest.
Week 15 
Rest for two days, day three run for 32 minutes and day four and five rest for two days.

Resume training (Week 16)


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Building a Base

Before you start running, all training starts with building a base.  The goal to building a base is running lots of miles and lots of long runs.  You need to focus in setting new challenging realistic goals and map out a new training schedule.  Decide how many days a week you are going to train.  Decide how many miles per week and how many weeks to the final race.  Decide which distance race in which you are going to train and race.

When after your last season is over, take 2 to 3 weeks active rest or run every other day and start training again and set goals for your next season. Rest is a force, only you know when and how long to rest, decide how many weeks.

If you haven't competed for a while, start out with a few miles each day, 6 to 18 miles per week, after a few weeks, increase 1 mile each day (the schedule below). The schedule below is a minimum of 8 weeks on building a base.  

Week 1-3: running 1-2-3 miles each day for 3 weeks.
Week 4: running 4 miles each day. 50% of the volume. Long run 5 miles.
Week 5: running 5 miles each day.  Long run 6-7 miles.
Week 6: running 6 miles each day.  Long run 7-8 miles.
Week 7: running 7 miles each day.  Long run 8-9 miles.
Week 8: running 8 miles each day.  Long run 10-12 plus miles.

A six week program starts off with 50% of the volume; one-third week with 50% of your goal volume.  Each week progress as indicated below until you are at 100% of the volume.  A six week program starts off with 50% of the volume.  In the aerobic period do not attempt speed workouts, or races.
  
Aerobic Period (5-7 weeks)
3rd week 50% of the volume.
4th week 62.5% of the volume.
5th week 75% of the volume.
6th week 87.5% of the volume.
7th week 100% of the volume.

During the building a base (aerobic period) incorporate the weight room two to four times a week. You can incorporate continuous running in the hills after the third week 1-2 days per week. 

Following the schedule from above from week 4 to week 8 after the endurance run introduce the one minute cycle.  

One minute cycle: striding for 30 seconds, resting for 30 seconds (let the watch run continuous for 6-9 minutes) every minute start running again. Alternate each week 3-4 days per week running one minute cycles. 

One minute cycle, week 4 start with 6 minutes per day; the next week run 7 minutes, the next following week run 8 minutes until you complete the Aerobic Period. The one minute cycle is introducing you to learning to run faster. 

Getting in quality work, and regular rest will enable you to train at a higher level. No training system can guarantee you will perform well.  Resting at the appropriate times allows your body to recover, rebuild, and become stronger.

The schedules from above is an aerobic period of 5 - 7 - 8 weeks, it's a developmental plan. I'm recommending 8 weeks. An athlete at the intermediate or elite level would build a base in 8 - 10 weeks.  Towards the end of the aerobic period add transitional workouts: tempo runs or hill repeats, preparing for the faster work ahead.  Whatever level developmental or an elite athlete you still need to insert rest after a training phase to prevent injuries.

Week 10th: 13 days active-rest schedule

Definition of "rest" means no training.

Rest for 2 days 
Run 1 day for 32 minutes (running 3-4 miles)
Rest for 2 days
Run 1 day for 32 minutes (running 3-4 miles)
Rest for 2 days
Run for 3 days  (32, 40, 48 minute runs)
Rest for 2 days

After week 9 and 10 resume training to the Strength Phase 4 weeks (week 12-15).






Monday, January 5, 2015

800 Meter Training

Set up your training schedule.  Count back from the last race, figure out how many weeks?
       
Remember to use five types of training during the base work and competition phase: Hill training, interval training, repetition training, speed endurance and acceleration runs.

Summer Training: 
Base-Building Schedule
Base building will be be called Aerobic Period.  Without base work, conditioning training you'll have a hard time maintaining your fitness during the competitive season. Without the base work, you can't sustain fast times for very long. Understand the first 400 meters of an 800 meter race is primarily anaerobic, while the second 400 meters is more aerobic and it helps you consistently maintain a high-quality velocity during the second lap of your 800 meter race.  

Start  with 1-mile repetitions after you reach 100% base work; 3x1-mile plus 1x400 with a three minute recovery; You start running with 83%, 86%, 89%, and 92% of your PR mile, the objective is to reach the time prescribed by the workout percentage, during the precompetitive phase.

Workouts for 800 meter runners during the Fall
3-Month Cycle
select one workout

100 meter workout:
3 seconds slower than best effort over the distance or 800 speed at date pace 
15-18 x 100's with 3 minutes jog rest

200 meter workout:
1500 (mile) race speed at date pace
12-15 x 200's with 3 minutes jog rest

400 meter workout:
3-6 seconds slower than PR 400 speed
3-6 x 400's with 3 minutes jog rest

600 meter
3200 (2-mile) Race Pace
3 x 600's with 3 minutes jog rest

If the athlete cannot achieve the times desired during the interval workout, or if the recovery time exceeds the above prescribed, the athlete must discontinue the workout.

After a 3-Month Cycle of training and competing. Start a resting period (12 or 15 or 18-days) resting period. Don't train beyond five weeks, you must take time off, to be tuned to your inner biological clock, rely on a calendar to let you know when it is time for a rest. Pushing too long doesn't pay, you can only push for so long. If you're training and competing six days a week. Take  a resting period after the first three weeks of your season, then alternate the three-day rests every three weeks.  If you're overextended physically, take the three-day resting period every three weeks.

A 12-day resting period begins with two rest days, followed by an active rest day and two more rest days. Then come three training days, followed by two rest days, an active rest day, and one more rest day. An active rest day may include a 20-30 minute easy run or light workout.

Winter Training:
In December continue with only aerobic mileage (easy runs). After three weeks, run one hour in the hills twice a week, if you run hills on Wednesday, the next time run hills on Saturday, give your body a few days to recover from the hills.  When starting base work, after three weeks, run nine 100 meter strides (9 x's one-minute cycle) at 5K pace, 3 times per week after your easy warm-up run; 

Note: one-minute cycle for nine minutes: run 100 meters and rest; start again and repeat every one-minute for nine minutes. after your nine minute, one-minute cycle, stretch and start your endurance or speed training.

The Competitive Phase
select 1 workout

9x100 Meters @ 400 speed w/ 100 meter walk recovery

3 sets of 4 x 300 4 @ 51 seconds with 100 meter walk recovery
3 sets of 4 x 300 4 @ 48 seconds with 100 meter walk recovery
3 sets of 4 x 300 4 @ 45 seconds with 100 meter walk recovery

3 x 400 meters @ 90-95 % PR 400 meter, w/ 6-9 minutes rest recovery

3x600 meters @ 800 pace w/ 100 meter walk recovery


May:  Acceleration workouts and should be used at the end of the season.
























Sunday, March 2, 2014

Jesus Garcia's Training Schedule from March 02 to May 04, 2014

Sunday, March 2, 2014.  Long run 12 plus miles.

Cut back on mileage 48-50 miles per week at a 6:20 to 6:30 mile pace on the recovery and long runs.

Mile repeats running 82%  of 4:16. 

Incorporating 14 day microcycle.  

Sunday, March 2, and March 16, 2014.  Week 1: long run on Sundays 12 plus miles, repeats on Mondays 6 x 1600 in 5:12 w/ 400 m jog rest; Thursdays 3 sets x 1 x 300 in 50 seconds + 1 x 600 in 1:40 + 300 in 50 seconds take 200 m jog rest after each 300 m and 200 m jog rest after the 600 repetition, after each set jog 400 m; Saturdays meet or 8 x 800 in 2:32 w/ 400 m jog rest. Recovery runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Alternate workouts.

Sunday, March 9, and March 23, 2014.  Week 2: long run on Sundays 12 plus miles, repeats on Mondays 4 x 400 in 1:09 w/ 400 m jog rest; Thursdays 8 x 1000 in 3:00 w/600 jog rest; Saturdays meet or 2 sets 5 x 300 m in 48 w/ 100 m jog rest, after each set jog 500 m.  Recovery runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Rest on Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Rest on Friday, March 28, 2014
Rest on Sunday, March 30, 2014

March 31 - April 26, 2014 Train 27 days.  We are changing the training schedule inserting one day of rest per week.  Training seven days a week was a strain.

March 31 - April 12, 2014
For two weeks, Jesus was training for two days of speed work per week with one day of recovery between the speed session.  Mondays, 4 x 1600 in 5:30 w/ 3 minutes rest; Wednesdays, 16 x 400 in 75 w/ 200 meter jog rest, Jesus feeling strain need more rest between the speed workouts.  

Starting April 13, 2014
The next two weeks we'll be doing speed work on Monday and Thursday, recovery runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, taking Friday as a rest day (no training), Saturdays are long runs and Sundays recovery run.  

Monday, 4-14-14: 4 x 1600 in 5:28 w/ 3 minute jog rest; Jesus started off with 3 seconds slower on the first repeat, but after he continued doing them, he was hitting the times.  It was a good workout; 

Thursday, 4-17-14: 8 x 800 in 2:40 w/ 3 minute jog rest.  The 800's, Jesus hit the times. Jesus mentioned he felt minor shin pain after the 800's, he said it wasn't that bad.  If he persist with shin pain, I'm assuming stress fracture(s) if it on one leg; he will be okay if Jesus feels shin pain on both legs.  We'll wait to see if his pain is worst, then he will have to take time off to heal.

Monday, 4-21-14: 16 x 400 in 74 w/ 200 jog rest.  Thursday, 4-24-14: 20 x 200 in 36 w/ 100 m jog rest.  Friday, 4-25-14: Rest.  Saturday, 4-26-14: Long Run.  Sunday, 4-27-14:  Easy Run

4-28    Warm-up: Run 12 minutes + stretch; Time trial 1 x 800; 2 mile cool down.  Ran a 2:13.
4-29    Run 1 hour
4-30    Run 45 minutes 
5-01    Warm-up: Run 12 minutes + stretch; Time trial 1 x 1600; 2 mile cool down.
5-02    rest
5-03    Long run
5-04    Easy (recovery) run



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Jesus Garcia's Hill Training Schedule from February 4 - March 1, 2014

I will continue to update the article "Standards To Run For The Team" until Jesus Garcia makes the UCLA team, so keep coming back to see the development process.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014.


Maintain 60 miles per week at a 6:20 to 6:30 mile pace including the long run.

Gradually increasing the pace.  Mile repeats running 80% of 4:16; Continuing hill work: hill runs, short hill repeats and long hill repeats. Mile repeats one day a week on Tuesday.  Hill repeats two days a week on Thursday and Saturday, and long run on Sundays.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014. 6 x 1600 repeats in 5:20 with 3 minutes jog rest; cool down 20 to 30 minutes.

Thursday, February 6, 2014. 12 x 400's repeats up the hill at 2 mile pace with a 400 jog back; cool down 20 to 30 minutes.

Saturday, January 8, 2014.  Competition or Repeat hills - 16 x 200 repeats up the hill at mile pace with a 200 jog back.

Sunday, January 9, 2014. Long run 12 plus miles at 6:20 pace. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014. 6 x 1600 repeats in 5:20 with 3 minutes jog rest; cool down 20 to 30 minutes.

Thursday, February 13, 2014. 12 x 400's repeats up the hill at 2 mile pace with a 400 jog back; cool down 20 to 30 minutes.

Saturday, February 15, 2014.  Competition or Repeat hills - 16 x 200 repeats up the hill at mile pace with a 200 jog back.

Sunday, February 16, 2014. Long run 12 plus miles at 6:20 pace.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014. 6 x 1600 repeats in 5:20 with 3 minutes jog rest; cool down 20 to 30 minutes.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014.  Rest.  Eleven Day Resting Period

Thursday, February 20, 2014.  Rest.

Friday, February 21, 2014.  Active Rest - easy 30 minute run.

Saturday, February 22, 2014.  Rest.

Sunday, February 23, 2014.  40-45 minute run.

Monday, February 24, 2014. 40-45 minute run.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Rest.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014.  30 minute run.

Thursday, February 27, 2014.  30 minute run.

Friday, February 28, 2014.  Rest.

Saturday, March 1, 2014.  Rest.