(Long and Less Long) Runs - 1/20 to 2/4

[Wahine]

Wahine - what's the reasoning behind doing the test sets on your rest week? I had thought that rest weeks were cutting down on volume and intensity. For your rest week are you just cutting down on volume but not on intensity? Is there an advantage to one over the other? (Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get an idea of different training programs for future use)

BTC - the idea is to do your test sets when you're rested so you get a good idea of what your capabilities are with minimal interference from fatigue. The sets are really pretty short in duration so although they are intense, they aren't as taxing as a regular interval workout. I did a running test today of 1 mile and was still able to run a total of 6 miles without difficulty.

Cutting volume and amount of intensity work is important. The test sets are the only intensity you do during the week, so really you are resting with regards to intensity and volume.

[btchance]

BTC - the idea is to do your test sets when you're rested so you get a good idea of what your capabilities are with minimal interference from fatigue. The sets are really pretty short in duration so although they are intense, they aren't as taxing as a regular interval workout. I did a running test today of 1 mile and was still able to run a total of 6 miles without difficulty.

Cutting volume and amount of intensity work is important. The test sets are the only intensity you do during the week, so really you are resting with regards to intensity and volume.

Thanks for the info - it makes sense now. I'm just trying to figure out the training methods and what works best for me.