Seem this other group at the track, all they ever do is speed work. In addition to this I found out they also do weights as well as med ball stuff + other strength type training. However I know for a fact that tempo is at the most, done very little in their training if at all anything even sub maximal :eek:
After a few times I’ve noticed their distances change, so they work from 10m-30m distances (as it looks like) to longer diatances throughout the season, (max velocity/Speed End.)
So what are pros/cons to all of this? Any problem with doing practically no tempo except for maybe in warm ups (maybe)? BTW their form is very good.
I see tempo primarily as a form of active recovery, and for me active recovery protocols have never done anything more for me than doing nothing, going for a walk and or just getting more sleep would do. For me, tempo is just another stressor my body has to adapt to and the positives don’t make me feel like it’s necessary for myself, emphasis on myself, to get faster.
tempo increases your aerobic capacity and raises the number of microcapillaries. therefore you can generate more heat around the motor neurons(lowers electrical resistance) and also keep your warm up longer. this allows you to take longer breaks between runs, ie. more rested for the next rep.
so there is a reason for tempo
we may need to call Charlie in on this one, but i am quite sure that the temp of the air has very little to do with what i am talking about. obviuosly is you can only do either or its better to do speed but tempo indirectly helps speed in the way i described above which is what Charlie says (see Edmonton Download).
when you lower the electrical resistance around motor neurons, they can fire faster meaning your cns can fire faster so you then run faster. this is accomplished by increasing the network of microcapillaries. to do that you must do some type of low intensity aerobic work.
sorry if i was not more clear the first time.
I understand what you are saying, but I have always felt the primary purpose of tempo was for active recovery and in that regard I don’t feel it is any more beneficial for me than the measures I mentioned before.
As far as lowering electrical resistance and this having a lasting effect, that is it perpetuates once the tempo session is over and into speed sessions, I really don’t know if it truly helps you run faster. Part of me just does not believe going for intermittent jogs will have any significant effect on the ability to run faster especially for myself. Therefore, since I do not believe in it, I do not do it. However, I do acknowledge Charlie and many others who have used it with success.
I see the benefit of tempo for finding a ‘rhythm’ and working on form, but as far as an accute recovery method, I kind of agree, I notice little benefit. However, I think in terms of developing some aerobic fitness there are benefits, and again being able to increase the blood flow tdeep through the muscles due to increased capillarisation, the body maybe better equipped to remove waste products.
If you say it seems like the distances are getting longer throughout the season, then it is a possibility that speed endurance has not been fully targetted yet??
i agree with the rythm part but be careful doing technique corrections or generally trying to use good sprint technique during tempo because you are not going fast enough to get the proper angles, these angles and mechanics can only be achieved while sprinting at atleast 95%. tempo should be conducted in a natural running motion but you should have heel strike.