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2016/17 NovOS Week 1 Run Thread - Dust off Your Boogie Shoes, It's Testing Time

Hello all, and welcome to the official kick off to the November Outseason run group.  We will be spending the next 14 weeks getting to know each other and encouraging each other along the way.



Week 1, 8 and 14 are test weeks, in the OS, and will look similar.  Similar except for the fatigue that will be building through the course of this training block.  Test week is your opportunity to validate all of the hard work that you have put in.  



The coaches have created all new videos for this year's OS, and I strongly encourage you to watch or listen to them.  The Outseason Plan Resources page will provide a complete overview.  Each week the coaches provide videos that highlight the week's training focus. 



Your Week 1 objective is to complete a 5k run test. Your results will set the pacing for the next 7 weeks of your training.  Simple enough, but here are a few things to keep in mind while planning your test on Wednesday:

1. Test Location - Choose a location that you can test on all season.  If it rains or snows in you area, an indoor track or treadmill may be your best option.  Make it as consistent and repeatable as possible.

2. Be rested.  Ensure you get a good nights sleep; preferably 7+ hours.  Allow yourself recovery time between testing and your last hard run or bike workout.  Take an extra day off, or structure workouts to allow for maximum recovery time.  



3. Plan your pacing - Without a plan, you stand a good chance of blowing up somewhere in mile 3.  Ideally, you want to negatively split your run test. 



Example

Using a past 5k result, select a starting pace for your first mile.  Run the second mile 10-15 seconds faster.  On the last mile, run each successive 1/4 mile 10-15 seconds faster.  It would look something like this:



mile 1 - 9:00

mile 2 - 8:50

mile 2.01-2.25 - 8:40

mile 2.26-2.50 - 8:30

mile 2.51-2.75 - 8:20

mile 2.76 - All out 



Testing takes practice and you get better at it each time.  If you blow up or are having issues,  post about it.  You will receive the encouragement and suggestions of your teammates.  We're all in this together and are here to help each other out.
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Comments

  • Well that was pure evil and on Halloween no less - I did the run test today because Im visiting family - Wednesday will have to be bike test.

    Time: 33:57
    Mile 1- 11:28
    Mile 2- 11:08
    Mile 3- 10:25
    .10 - :54.65

    I had to stop twice as my brothers munchkins were asking me who gets more candy and "Why are you running Aunt Riah" "Can we run with you?" "You're sweating"
    Yes yes I know, No you can't have more candy.... GO AWAY, Aunt Riah is basically signing up to torture herself!

    I played some Michael Jackson to get into the theme of the weekend but quickly moved it over to more PYT type Michael music than thriller.

    Side Note: This is actually really fun, for once Im healthy and injury free, BRING ON THE OS FUN!
  • Nice work MB! Tell the kiddos you get all the candy!
  • Run test done! I did my bike test on Sunday so today was a perfect fall day to get this done.

    This was my first outside run in quite some time. I've been on the tm to work on form, cadence, etc. in addition to PT work to prevent me from returning to run jail. While this was a difficult run for me, my hips and butt felt stronger even when I was feeling fatigued towards the end. Cool! Something I'm doing is working. Not my best 5k, but not my worst. Looking forward to see where the #workworks takes me.



    Time: 34:54

    Mile 1: 11:38

    Mile 2: 11:25

    Mile 3: 10:47 - not sure what happened here...

    Avg pace: 11:14
  • I got mine done this morning in the dark around the lake. Wasn't sure what to expect as I've had a slight back injury so not running the last month or so. Got it done in 23:06 which is much better than I expected. I'll take the 42 VDOT and see what I can do to get back in the high 40s by spring!

    Good luck everyone!!
  • No test for me as I'm still recovering from an injury and only about 80% recovered. I did do a hill bounding nordic session last night though with some Zone 3-5 repeats of 1:30 with full recovery. Everything held up okay though with some mild soreness at the injury site today that I'm rolling and working out. Not the bad kind of soreness (injury), just the usual which is good. Hope to be back to full strength soon. My last VDOT test over the summer was 45 so I'm going to start myself at 43 for pacing purposes as I ease myself back into things.
  • Very inspired by everyone here. Its been awhile since I've done a 5k VDOT test, so was dreading it a bit, but got it done at the track this morning. Aside from going out a bit hot on the 1st 2 laps, I think it went ok. Funny how by 2-2.5 miles, my brain was sending some dark thoughts, but I somehow pushed through image Looking forward to building this over the OS.

    Time - 20:19
    VDOT - 48 (missed 49 by 1 second)
    Mile 1 - 6:27
    Mile 2 - 6:40
    Mile 3 - 6:33
    Mile .10 - :37

    Goal is to get to 51 VDOT this OS which would be an all-time high for me. Lots of work ahead!
  • 5K after 1 mi warmup vdot 24.3 Avg. HR 140
    Lap 1 11:35 5k pace 11:50
    Lap 2 11:59
    Lap 3 11:58
    Total 36:39

    The time was about what I expected the feel was not. Lots of hip girdle and upper leg and glute soreness.
    Hopefully it was just a carryover from the first core workout in forever.
  • Love reading everyone's efforts. This is my first OS and the group training seems to be a big motivator with me. It definitely made me push harder knowing my results would be on public display today. Looking forward to seeing everyone's gains as we move forward.

    Time: 20:49
    VDOT: 47
    Mile 1: ~7:00
    Mile 2: ~6:45
    Mile 3: ~6:30
  • Wow, the test results are rolling in fast and furious. Great work everyone. Keep in mind that whatever your results are, good, not so great or down right tanked, this is just your starting point. The goal of the OS is to get faster, stronger or hopefully both.
    @Mariah-nice work, especially considering the distractions

    @Bill-Good getting it done considering your back issue.

    @Kevin-Better to hold off on the test until you are healed up.

    @Brad-Solid pace progression. It's amazing how dark the last .5 miles can get "You're gonna blow up"

    @David-Starting up that core work makes everything sore. Got it done though.

    @Ashton-Accountability is the best motivator. Great pace progression.
  • I got my 5k test in last week. I usually end up burying myself on these tests and am out for 3+ days. I didn't have access to the testing track I've used for the past 3 OS, so things would be different for this test. I was 3 miles into a run, things were feeling great, so I went for it.

    21:45 vDOT 45
    1 - 7:25
    2 - 7:18
    3 - 7:02

    I was expecting a 22:00, so not a bad start. Goal is to get back to last year's 52 vDOT.
  • Nice running team! I had a "career day."
    Total time: 23:52. Ave. pace: 7:42. Vdot: 40.5.
    Miles 1-3 were: 7:44; 7:40; 7:40.
    First time under 24:00 for the total time, and first time my vdot as over 40.
    Total time was 47 seconds fast than the first run test last OS.
    Shows how much I have learned about running (even though I heard Coach Rich in my head saying "slow down dumb ass" in the first mile), and how much my fitness improved since last year.
    More fun to come!

  • Ok, 5k test complete. I travel every week for work so I would like to thank my sponsors for my 5k test today, Courtyard by Marriott for my accommodations and LifeFitness for the treadmill. Ha. On a serious note, in Upstate NY the treadmill will probably be the place I do my tests this OS, unless I get down to the warmer climates this winter.

    Here are my digits
    Mile 1 - 8:00
    Mile 2 - 7:45
    Mile 3 - 7:03
    Mile .1 - :40
    Average Pace: 7:35 per mile
    Average HR: 170 bpm
    VDot = 41.1

    When I started I felt as if it were a little slow. As I started to increase the speed I am kind of glad that I didn't start much harder than I did. I felt like a mouse with its tail caught in a mousetrap. Wasn't going anywhere fast. Either way, got through it. Looking forward to building off of this and getting my speed back in 2017.
  • Great times everyone! First test in the books. Went ok. Started out fast, so did not neg split. But didnt blow up too bad. Only 10 secs off a test I did in late September in preps for a marathon Oct 16.
    Mile 1 - 6:48
    Mile 2 - 7:01
    Mile 3 - 7:14
    Total 21:50
    Vdot 45. Ave HR 171

    Definitely feeling sore in the legs the rest of the day
    Ran 1.4 mile warmup and 3 mile cool down to fill out the hour time.
  • Wow!  Nice work everyone.  Well I some how managed to get plantar fasciitis.  I started feeling it over the weekend and I woke up Tuesday barely able to walk.

    Anyway...  no run test for me.  I'm going to stick with a modified (Coach P approved) Outseason and hopefully pick up the run in week 8.  I can ride the bike and do core, so that's what I will do.

  • Great running everyone!
    I did my test on Tuesday. Haven't formally tested in a year and was only 27 sec slower than last year.
    19:58 broken down as 6:19, 6:21, 6:17 for a VDOT of
    Pleased given my training of the last few months. Its going to take some good work to get those 30 sec back and then some.
    Bike test tonight!

  • Posted By Mark Roberts on 03 Nov 2016 09:09 AM


    Great running everyone!

    I did my test on Tuesday. Haven't formally tested in a year and was only 27 sec slower than last year.

    19:58 broken down as 6:19, 6:21, 6:17 for a VDOT of

    Pleased given my training of the last few months. Its going to take some good work to get those 30 sec back and then some.

    Bike test tonight!

    Strong!  What's your goal for OS?

  • @Tony- Nice work breaking 24:00

    @Mark-I can't get my head around testing on a TR. It just makes my head hurt.

    @Ed- Man, hot out of the gate on that one. Nice work.

    @Brian- Stay focused on the bike, the run will come when it's ready.

    @Mark- Steady even pacing there Mark "Speedy" Roberts for a solid 49 vDOT

    With testing already in the bag and being 5 days since my last run, I had to get something done. My motivation was on the low side and the rain didn't help matters either. Sucked it up and completed a 60'/7 mile TRP run, with a Z2 push for the last 1/2 mile.
  • Got the run test done last night in the dark at the local community college track. Have to say that running with a bunch of chiseled 19 and 20 year old guys who are flying by me while doing their warm-up is not an ego boost (because I have snot dribbling out of my nose and my left lung keeps trying to come up and out of my throat). On the other hand, I got the test done and it is the first time I have run 3+ miles in over a year. Last race was IMLT 2015 and since then have been recovering from a series of injuries. I am healthy now and ready to start the OS. This is my third OS and am a ways back from previous runs but will be giving my all. Here is how my test broke down.



    mile 1 8:15

    mile 2 8:45

    mile 3 +.1 9:30



    Total time 26:30 vDOT =35 

      

    Goal is to get back to a vDOT of 40 so have a little bit of work to do.
  • @ Craig -- Good test. Track to me is the best way to test. Flat, accurate distance. Reproducible as long as the wind isn't bad. Good test -- You'll get back to where you need to be.

    @Ashton - Thanks! Nice descending pace on your test! OS goal for running is to get back to where I was in 2014 which was 18:50 or so for 5k. Really just need to get there by May or so -- Hopefully will have that speed by early summer and be 5-7 lbs lighter. Have to cut back on the German bread from the local bakery and Belgian beer!


    @Phil - Nice run. I always feel you get bonus fitness or at least good mojo training in bad conditions!
  • Cheesed a little bit by running a 5k last weekend - 26:08 for vDot = 36.5.

    It was an evening Halloween run on a relatively flat course with temps in the low 80s.

    Suspect that in the morning, on a track (or treadmill), in the 60s or 70s, I could squeeze this down a minute or so.

    But, I'm sticking with 36.5 for the first 8 weeks.  

    That is what I was in my build for 70.3 Hawaii 18 months ago and with taking this summer off ... I'm very pleased to be in the same place (slow though it may be).

  • Did my 5k test this morning. About what I expected given no serious run training since May. 22:13 for a Vdot of 44. Definite room for improvement!
  • The posts are all inspiring. Those run tests aren't fun...until you hit STOP on the watch! This morning I knocked out a masters swim, some planks and a 30' (3.7mi) run with some hills and z2/z3 time. Happy to be done early and looking forward to the weekend image
  • @Brad R - Well, I'm rolling int he mojo, as 4 of my last 5 runs have been in rain showers, wind, or both.

    @Marvin - bonus points if you ran it in costume.

    @Tom - Early AM run test. What a way to start the day.
  • Good 30' treadmill run today. Finally looked at a treadmill conversion chart and stayed in my Z2 on the hill. Planks, pushups, cords...check.
  • Finally finished my test today; work kept me from getting to it either Wednesday or Thursday.

    1 - 8:48.9
    2 - 8:40:75
    3 - 8:28.17
    .1 - 0.58.67 (actually a little more than 0.1)
    5K = 26:51 = Vdot 35.2

    About where I was 2 years ago at the mid-OS point, not quite as good as last year's week 1 test, but as good as I expected. Much more work to come!
  • @ Ashton-plugging right along with some heavy work this morning.

    @Bill - Welcome aboard, great getting that test in.

    This OS I have a TM set up right next to the trainer. Off the bike, on with the running shoes and I was off and running. 35' brick run completed with ease, especially considering it was pouring down rain this morning...and this afternoon...and this into this evening.
  • Thanks Phil - had to break it into two workouts today. Apparently no one told my daughters it was a training morning. They were both up and crying, in unison, at 6:20am. Did my brick run at noon and it felt like 95 outside (standard Houston weather). Got it done though, woohoo. Jealous of the TM next to the bike. That would have been nice!

    Now I just need to limit the alcohol tonight...or that run is going to be nothing but pain tomorrow!
  • Nice work, everyone!

    This is my first OS and I don't think I've done a 5k marker run in over a year. I started a little too fast but found a steady pace for the last two miles.

    Mile 1 - 6:48
    Mile 2 - 7:07
    Mile 3 - 7:06
    Mile .1 - 7:02
    Total 21:54
    Vdot 44.8
    Avg HR 169
  • easy 30 min evening run, check!
  • Hey everyone! Good to see so many people getting it done!

    I did my run test on Thursday:
    7:09
    7:21
    7:18
    22:29 total 5k time.

    About where i figured i'd end up since i haven't been running a lot.

    Today (Saturday) i didn't get the bike in because of soccer, But I refereed 2 games and got 8 miles in.

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