Got a call yesterday afternoon from Coach reminding me that we were meeting at the track that evening. Eek. The track?!? I do not like the track. He assured me it wouldn't be so bad - we were doing run drills, not intervals. Phew!
Arrived to find that we were actually running on a grassy field near the track. He had cones set up. We did all kinds of drills. Butt kicks, high knees, hopping, running backwards, pickups, short sprints, running backwards up a hill (tricky!), high cadence high knees, etc.
Interesting observation #1 - Most of the runners were complaining that they felt it in their calves or their hamstrings, or quads or whatever. As for me, I really didn't feel sore muscles at all. Maybe because I've been pretty diligent about going to the gym and doing strength stuff that's more taxing than these drills? Or maybe I was just doing them wrong...
Intersting observation #2 - Similar to when we do hill intervals, my short sprints put me solidly in the center of the pack. When we run longer, I'm generally the last to come in. Too bad the 200M dash isn't as popular as the local 5K/10K. LOL.
Clearly I do better on drills and hills than distance running. What do you think that means? I'm seriously wondering if maybe the heart arrythmia is somehow responsible by not permitting sufficient O2 transfer to my muscles. Your thoughts?
I agree with hitting the gym for weight training. I agree that would give you an edge when doing hills. It works for me!
ReplyDeleteAs for the other questions, I have no clue, but maybe you are on the right track with the arrhythmia. Do you train with a heart rate monitor?
don't know enough about the heart thing, but could be possible for sure! I'm sure hitting the gym is helping with your running for sure! :D Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree that the gym is making you stronger and therefore making the drills easier.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about the heart stuff, but it sounds plausible to me...
MCM Mama
That is interesting! You need to find some mile races.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your weight training is really doing the trick even if your heart isn't cooperating. Way to show those drills who's boss!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, maybe I should spend some more time with weights.
ReplyDeleteDunno about the heart thing, but aren't some bodies equipped with more fast twitch muscles whereas others come with more slow twitch? I think I read that somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI fee like I'm in slo-mo no matter what distance I go ;)
I'm the same way, Lisa. I think that I'm probably "better" at shorter distances than the longer ones when you look at the numbers :-/ But dang it I'm still gonna keep trying HAHA!
ReplyDeleteI've done a little research on it and I think JoyRun is right. Some bodies are simply better at short bursts of speed, others better at "long" distances due to fast vs slow twitch muscles.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm simply in the wrong sport! LOL
Good job on the hills & drills. That's definitely interesting.
ReplyDeletediligent about going to the gym and doing strength stuff that's more taxing than these drills?absolutely!
ReplyDeleteThen it becomes a total cardio exercise. You are working on efficiency AND improving your lungs.
I bet for sure all your time at the gym helped build those muscles so the drills didn't bother them as much. Sounds like a kind of fun workout!
ReplyDeleteI am not a doctor so I will not comment on the heart thingy. But, maybe you should consider entering a Drilly and Hilly 5k?
ReplyDeleteThose are interesting observations-- either way, since I don't know anything about the science of it, I think it feels good to run in groups where everybody has different strengths and can excel depending on the workout...
ReplyDeleteI am learning how important it is to have strength as a runner... I bet you didn't feel pain because you're getting strong. :D Keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the longer distance slow-down, I don't know. I'm as slow as they come and as far as I know, my heart is fine. But I'm slow on short distances, too... so I'm probably just slow. :D
weights and core training is so key. I wish I would have started with this stuff a few years back when I initially started running! :)
ReplyDeleteI find shorter distance races harder because you have to move so fast so soon when longer distance you build up sort of. OK i am not making sense.
ReplyDeleteHills and Drills!!! I like that!!!
You rock!!!
I do think that weight training is good for hill work and track type of drills as both require more power (and agility) than endurance. Not sure how heart arrythmia might affect your endurance but it could also be that you have more fast twitch muscles than slow twitch ones and are genetically predisposed to do better at things requiring shorter bursts of energy.
ReplyDeleteSounds you are having heaps of fun doing those drills. Are you having the same fun doing long distance runs? You are stronger but not as fit as the others, that's what it means. Your heart definitely has something to do with it but you should still be able to increase your fitness. Talk to your coach about it.
ReplyDeleteFor the gym: To improve fitness use less heavy weights and do more reps instead!
See all that strenght/core type training helps after all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some fresh air on the trails will help as well :), they do have hills out there.
I love all the results you are seeing from your gym work.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know about the heart arrythmia stuff but I agree with whoever said to look around for some mile races to try your hand at some shorter distances.
IF that's something that interests you. You seem to have fun most of the time. I know a good bit of the reason I'm not faster than I am at running (yet) is in my head versus in my body. Of course it's different for everyone.
I would love to have coached run workouts. You continue to kick some major a$$ with your training!
what a good payoff from the gym - excellent abs and buns, AND good hills and sprints
ReplyDeleteoh drills instead of interavals, I just like the sound of that, it's more fun and not so intimidating!
ReplyDelete