As a graduate student, I neglected my self-care and suffered an ankle injury from stepping off a curb. It left me on crutches for weeks, which took a toll on my mental health. However, that misstep was the catalyst for my journey into running, one of resilience, determination, and growth.
As the spring weather beckons us outdoors, runners are hitting the pavement with a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you're training for your first 5k or your tenth marathon, hill workouts are a vital component of speed work that can benefit any runner, regardless of skill level or experience.
Researchers have found that elite runners adhere to a strict training routine to ensure optimal performance. The key factors in this regimen are planning and periodization. The athletes gradually increase their running volume over several weeks during a base phase. As the preparation becomes more specific, they increase their running volume at race-pace intensity.
Kipchoge's training approach is based on a simple but effective strategy: running high volumes at low intensity, with only 15-20% of his training time devoted to high-intensity workouts.
The topic of slowing down the pace during easy runs is frequently talked about, but what is considered slow? How much of a reduction in speed is necessary? To clarify this, you can watch a short video featuring Eliud Kipchoge, the world record holder in the marathon, and the NN Running Team. If this doesn't convince you to take it easy on your easy days, then perhaps nothing will.
Are you weary of the monotony of indoor workouts and the four walls of the gym? It's time to break free and let the great outdoors become your fitness haven. Trail running, an exhilarating outdoor pursuit that allows you to set your own pace on natural paths, offers a plethora of benefits that indoor workouts simply can't match.
The intensity of a workout is increased, just like with hill runs, by stair workouts. But, because of the steep height, climbing stairs is frequently more difficult than sprinting up a moderate incline. This increased effort makes runners breathe more quickly and forcefully, which can improve their ability to use oxygen. Regular stair workouts can help runners increase their VO2max, enabling them to run faster on flat terrain
Going barefoot allows you to feel where your foot lands relative to your center of mass, which muscles are activated, and whether you're maintaining your arch. Short periods of barefoot running can provide enough stimulation to recognize these imbalances and work to correct them.
