The traditional tempo run is entirely different from the typical track type of speedwork, a workout that consists of continuous running at a given pace. Tempo runs are longer and less intense becauase of the longer distance, but they have their own valuable benefits that provide critical conditioning as well as mental training needed for longer race distances.

In this episode, you'll learn how to do a tempo workout, and how to schedule it into the scope of your speedwork within your training cycle. Plus, Deb provides several examples of variations of tempo training.

While a good track workout is always effective, adding other activities between sets will magnify the impact and make speed workouts more fun. As a result, you're likely to be more consistent with speed training and benefit more from it.

In this episode, you'll discover how to gradually incorporate balance, plyometric, and agility exercises into the training, which will result in improved running form, more efficient running, fewer injuries, and faster times.

The exercise options include but are not limited to jumping rope, jumping jacks, hulahooping, one-leg balance work, and a series of drills that combine several of these.

Now, listen and prepare to take your speed training to the next level.

Mojo for Running Coaching

Learn all about classic track workouts and the variety of ways they can be structured to meet any runner's training goals.

All speedwork can be broken down into two categories, short speedwork, usually done on a track, a combination of repeats, intervals, and sets, and longer speedwork done on roads

In this episode, discover the near infinite ways to structure workouts of repeats and intervals to accomplish a variety of goals.

To get faster or stronger or even to build endurance, every experienced runner needs speedwork. This is the first of a series of episodes on speedwork for runners, what is a speedworkout, who should do it, how to add it to your running schedule, how often, types of speed training, how to maximize benefits, and what not to do.

The month of December tests our running training more than any other as holiday events too often steal running hours. Our already hectic schedules get still busier, increasing stress levels, meaning we need run therapy more than ever, but ironically, that's the last thing on many people's mind. The Mojo for Running December Challenge will provide accountability and motivation to help you maintain running fitness during this month, setting you for success in 2022.

Let's go back to the basics of how to move when you run, head to toe, from where to look, to the nuances of effective arm technique, what not to do and physical cues to help with practicing good running form.

While everyone's form will be unique, based on their body, minor adjustments will still pay off with greater comfort, improved endurance, greater speed, and fewer running injuries, all good reasons to focus on running form during every mile of every run. The goal is to practice the running form that's easiest on the body, the most efficient form, a movement that is light and fluid. Since practice makes permanent, it's not enough to do form drills and then let it go or to practice form, occasionally. Every runner needs to think about form and make practicing the elements of good running form a daily ritual.

Two prior episodes referred to:

MFR 77: How to Run Hills, Part 1, Uphill
MFR 78: How to Run Hills, Part 2, Downhill

This episode includes a reminder for listeners to enter the Gasparilla Distance Classic's Name the Parrot contest. Enter here.

Mojo for Running shirts here.

Register for Deb's race, the gnome-themed Run Tampa Tinsel Run, December 11th, here. Check out the medal and shirt art.

Any runner or group of runners, of any level, can make up a fartlek workout on the fly, or pull out one of the traditional, time-tested fartlek workouts. Fartleks are especially good for injecting a bit of speed work into an easy or long-ish run during the basebuilding phase when it's best to avoid more structured, specific track workouts, saving them for later in the cycle when the speedwork needs to be more specific, more race oriented.

This matters because from a psychological perspective, runners will benefit from more carefree, less structured running, fun running, but they still don't want to lose their edge by foregoing all speed work. Enter, fartleks, the perfect means of holding onto speed without going to a track.

RunGasparilla.com/name-the-parrot-contest

Run Tampa Tinsel Run

Gear/equipment mentioned:

Gymboss (wearable interval timer)

Simple Interval Timer (iphone app)

Running success hinges on preparation. Crossing the finish line is the easy part, a celebration, the apex of all the training that prepared you to be there, the celebration of a well executed running training plan. The longer you run, the more races you train for, the more you'll appreciate the importance of a good training schedule, one that keeps you healthy while preparing you for your goal race. This episode explains the variables you'll see as you study your options along with guidance to help you evaluate their quality and assess whether they're right for you.