Variety in Running Training

It is one of those weeks where you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth. It is the biggest week of the fall at work and I am not sleeping much, so if this is typo-ridden, you know why.

I am on a cross training theme this week and I thought that today I would focus on different types of running and why I vary the surfaces, distance and elevation that I train on. Unlike most runners, I began my race career by running on the trails so that is where I find I have the highest comfort level. I slowly progressed to road races and finally started training on the track as well. I find that every type of running has it’s place in a well balanced runner.

Track: Nothing did more for my foot turnover, top end speed and abs then speed work on the track. I was nervous at first, but as I watched my numbers get faster and faster, I fell in love with 400 m, 800 m and 1 KM distances for training. Now, I crave the deep burn that comes from giving a sprint all you have and the amazing feeling of crushing a workout with my team. I can mimic the last portion of a race to make sure I always end strong.

Road: The majority of runner’s training is done on road and I love the slow, easy rhythm that you can fall into on the road. I have a love for the long distance run and I live in the country, so I put on my headphones, turn on a good podcast and head out for a couple hours of blissing out. Not only that, but the volume that I build will be helpful in building an aerobic base for running.

Trail: My heart. This type of running always makes me excited, because I can embrace my inner explorer and mountain goat and attack the hills and jump over rocks and streams. I love practicing my down hill speed and working on technical portions to build strength and endurance.

Speaking of trail, my very favourite trail series is coming to an end this weekend.  5 Peaks Hardwood Hills is the grande finale of the season and I can’t help but feel a little sad. It’s been a wonderful season and I am sad to see it end. The course is on a mountain bike trail and is not bad for beginners – hilly, but not overly technical. It falls about in the middle in terms of difficulty.

They have a ton of giveaways (essentially everything they didn’t give away the prior races) and lots of opportunity to podium! If you are wanting to sign up, there are still slots and you can use JESSICA as a discount code for $5 off.

Road, track or trail?