Interval Run Training

brandonsaid

Why are the interval runs based on distance and not time?  For example, I did a 3 x 1 mile Z4/Z5 run today.  

It seems like all the other bike/run workouts are based on time intervals and not distance intervals.  

Just wondering if there is a specific reason for having run intervals based on distance versus time.   

jburbatt

You do the speed work based on distance and not time because it lends to the purpose, making you run faster over X distance. Doing the brick runs and long runs based on time is show that you can run for that length of time (and beyond) which demonstrates you can (1) run off the bike at a prescribed speed and (2) run for a certain amount of time (i.e. you don't need to do a long run of the distance of your race cause it's assumed if you could go X miles you'll be able to go the # needed to complete your race).

ghernand

it's just a nice way to normalize training load across abilities...

time works well over longer distances:

timmy: 60minute run = 6 miles.

jane: 60minute run = 9 miles;

the above two athletes have put out roughly the same amount of work over the hour as long as they ran at equal zones based on their vDots.

distance normalizes training load nicely across abilities over shorter distances...

timmy: 1mile at interval pace = 7:30pace;

jane: 1mile at interval pace = 5:50pace;

however, if you coached an elite level team where everyone was pretty much equal, then you could use either one interchangeably.

gh

 

Coach Patrick

Gilberto, that was a WSM answer!!! Thanks man!!!