80/20 Running

Multi-pace training is, of course, the key to top performance regardless of your target race distance. But that's not the only reason to do all sorts of workouts regularly, from long runs and basic speed sessions to slow recovery runs and tempo workouts. There’s no better way to keep your running interesting than to have peaks and valleys of intens

Not every “hard” workout has to be a killer session. You can sneak in more quality without going to the well by stopping at a track, on a hill, or an obstacle-free stretch of road toward the end of a run and doing a few up-tempo repeats between 200 and 800 meters.

Recent research also shows that runners wishing to improve their speed should spend at least 80 per cent of their time at low intensity, so beneficial is it to heart, muscle, skeletal and neurological health.

Enhanced performance is directly related to mindful and consistent efforts in all areas of our running. The next time you have a tough run or feel sluggish, forget how it felt; forget your time or pace. Ask yourself if you’ve been consistent that day (or week, or month), and focus on maintaining those regular habits.

runners run too hard. We log the majority of our miles at moderate- and high-intensity speeds, barely deigning to hit the low-intensity paces that are so essential to building an aerobic base. Yes, running slow takes longer. Yes, you may not feel quite as accomplished postrun. But go too hard too often and instead of seeing performance benefits, yo