Lifting on Tempo Days ?

Maris, the problems can arise later as you achieve higher levels in both the speed and strength departments and then you run the risk of your CNS getting too much stimulation and not enough recovery. In the earliest phases(as a number of others have pointed out)of the gpp it’s not too much of an issue due to lack of output at that point in the training year. Later as your output increases(hopefully across the board) you run the risk of very little recovery.

All that said, though, as I look at your plan that allows you to to train with your personal lifestyle restrictions included, I think you have a good plan. At least you are not trying to go speed every 48 hours with lifting mixed in between so there is more built-in recovery. I know everyone might not agree with it but I would continue to lift first and do the tempo afterwards on those days where you must do both on the same day. This, since there is higher level of both skill and output required and desired from the lifting that’s not necessary from the tempo work. Looks like you have a plan that will likely make the best of your restrictions/time constraints.

I still dont see whats the big deal with during upper body weights on a tempo day, plz explain.

Below is a sample week from last fall training:

Strength block:
Mon: SPEED
bp 3x5x80
bb circuit:
db bp
*bent row
*seated pc
**shrugs
**bar curls

Tue:
depth drop 4x3
squats/box jumps x3 3x5x80
glut ham/cont bj x5 4x6

WED: TEMPO

Thur: SPEED
bb circuit: below
db ip 3X
*chinups
*rear raises
lat raises
**shrugs
**db tri ext

Fri:
depth drop 4x3
blk snatch dl/rocket jump x3 3x3
spilt squats/spilt jump x3 2x5
gh/1 leg box jumps x5 4x8

SAT TEMPO

Power blk:
Mon: SPEED
depth jumps 3x5
jump squats 3x12x10
rea ss 3x3
sdl 2x3x75
gh 3x5

Tue: TEMPO
fp 1rm
bb circuit:
db bp

  • seated row
  • seated pc
    ** seated db shrugs
    ** incline curls

Thur: SPEED
squats 3x3x75
rea ss 2x3
jump squats 2x12x10
depth jumps 2x5
rea gh 3x10

Fri: TEMPO
bb circuit
pushups 3x
*lat pd under
*rear raises
db sh press
** shrugs
** db tri ext

I am just trying to ensure the maximum recovery possible, yet still trying to ensure I get enough speed work. One thing I was just thinking. When following Linford’s set up, the recovery isn’t viewed as important as that. Although he believes athletes often want to do too much, when planning his week, there is no subdivision on track work, the common week is:

Mon Weights
Tues Track
Wed Weights
Thurs Track
Fri Weights
Sat Off
Sun Track

In fact Malcolm’s group use this too. However, Linford drops the weights training almost totally in season. Malcolm still lifts on a Monday in season, and I’m trying to rack my brains to make sure I get this right, but I think the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are all sessions involving speed or block work. Now, when I think of this, if you look at Craig’s times throughout the season, there was a drop off. He went from running 10.22 in appaulling conditions in Glasgow in early June, then a couple of mid-10.1s in still wind, to running 10.29 in the semi in Osaka. He did have a slight back issue around and after the European under 23s, but is it a surprise he runs best straight away and then never really builds on that form??? Not now I think about it.

So you’re taking care of the strength early on, and as the season approaches you move to quickness? Makes sense.

No. i alt every 3wks.

Ahhh ok. Yeah, I made a big assumption there that you progressed from strength to power in a linear fashion like that-apologies.

np bud…

that setup above really worked well for me and my bro last year, i know its goes against CF methods but it worked.

I quite like the idea of cycling everything, so you are never that far away from where you need to be in that element.

I didnt have much of a choice since my strength bk were very tough, also i dont see much diff btw my power blk and cf manint phase.

Strength block was tough?? Does that mean if your power block is similar to CF maintenance then it was just like cycling almost a recovery block of strength training in??

The only diff was i included more jumps but still kept the squats in the program once a week for maintenance pretty similar to cf maint.

Power blk:

Mon: SPEED
depth jumps 3x5
jump squats 3x12x10
rea ss 3x3
snatch dl 2x3x75
gh 3x5

Thur: SPEED
squats 3x3x75
rea ss 2x3
jump squats 2x12x10
depth jumps 2x5
rea gh 3x10

My comments were based on what Maris wrote of his program and what I think he should be wary of.

Yeah not sure what exactly the kind of work is done when they list the day as track. I’d say that what you are suggesting earlier is a better option than this one.

Most people who are saying not to do upper body on tempo days have never given it a try, me and other members on this forum has actually done it and i think that should have some value. its kinda like comparing someone who has practical experience vs just book hear say.

We all talking about cns recovery etc some of DP programs has three str hi days or buddy morris who performed upper body work on his low days with his offensive lineman.

Again, I commented on what HE wrote regarding his own program and what he had suggested as an alternative to a typical CF set-up based on his time constraints.

I can go into much more detail if you like, certainly regarding the Linford set up, having done it. The Malcolm set up I am not so familiar with, but I can still go into a fair amount of detail if you like regarding the actual content of the trak sessions. I have only joined in with bits and pieces of this.

What sort of modalities does DP have in place to aid CNS recovery? Is it possbile to assist this recovery? I would imagine you may need some assistance in tha department if you are linking together 3 HI sessions consecutively. Is upper body weights less demanding on the CNS than lower body? Is recruits less total muscle mass.

I agree with your point tamfb, that experience does beat the text book reader

What people forget is Dan is one of the best therapist out there.

I was reading yesterday hpw he used fascial release techniques during sessions. Does this release nerve impingements and therefore aid CNS recovery?