Training tips: Know the purpose of your training session
Many runners are hard-wired to want to push, but usually it's more important to train smart than to train hard
Running is addicting, and it’s easy to get caught up in the “more is more” mentality when it comes to your training. But there are days to go easy, and there are days to go hard. Understanding which days are which is important.
When looking at your training plan, it can pay off to see beyond the scheduled kilometres, and understand what the purpose of your training for that particular day is.
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Terry Radchenko is coach to 2016 1,500m Olympian Gabriela Stafford and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Radchenko says the importance of understanding the purpose of your training is invaluable, “Runners want to push everyday, but there are only so many really difficult days that your body can handle.”
“Our team periodizes training. It’s important that the runners know what phase they’re in, and what the purpose of that phase is. For example, when we’re building the base for the season, runs should be consistently easy. There’s no point of throwing something in that’s hard on the athlete’s body. There will be time for that later.”
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Radchenko said that lots of runners are hard-wired to want to push, but usually it’s more important to train smart than to train hard.
He suggests paying attention to heart rate as a great monitor of exertion. On an easy day, a heart rate of around 70% of your maximum heart rate is suggested. Your heart rate is accurately found using a heart rate monitor.
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If a heart rate monitor isn’t in the budget, running by feel is also very effective. Your body knows how it feels, and it has ways of telling you. Your job as a runner is to listen to it.
Essentially, understanding the purpose of your training day will help you see that every prescribed element of training is part of a larger plan. When you remember this, it allows the easy days to be easy, so you’re ready to go hard when you’re supposed to. Don’t be a recovery day hero – your body and your new personal best will thank you.
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