2022 RunBlogRun Spring Middle Distance Daily Track Training (800m-5000m), Week 8, Day 1

I just arrived in San Jose from Spokane, Washington. I was in Spokane for the USATF Indoors. One of the many events that impressed me was the women’s 1,500 meters. It was a truly inspiring race.

In the race, we had Elle Purrier, the US Olympic Trials winner, and the AR record holder at the indoor mile (4:16.08). Also in the race were teammates Cory McGee and Heather McLean, all team New Balance athletes, all Olympic team members. In fact, they went 1,2,3 in the Olympic Trials (Elle, Cory, Heather).

An oh so close finish, Heather MacLain, Josette Norris, Elle Purrier, 2022 USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto

In this race, the top two athletes would qualify for the World Indoors in Belgrade, Serbia (March 11-14). Elle took the pace out well, a 4:15 pace, and kept increasing the pace. Josette Norris, a Reebok Boston athlete, who had come off a superb late summer season and just finished second to Elle in the Millrose Mile, running a 4:20.85 mile, was on Elle’s shoulder. Josette kept pushing Elle, and Elle kept increasing the pace.

Lurking in the fifth, sixth, then fourth, was Heather MacLean. On the final straight, Heather MacLean, who had been so patient, moved to lane three, and as Josette Norris battled Elle Purrier, Heather moved to the outside and sprinted perfectly, out leaning Josette Norris, who finished second and Elle Purrier, who finished 3rd.

Keeping one’s cool, no matter what the level of the race, keep’s you in the race, longer and longer. Remember that this spring, when you race!

Your workout for today: February 28, 2022, Monday: warm-up, 40-50 minutes moderate running, 6 x 100m stride outs, cooldown

2022 RunBlogRun Spring Middle Distance Daily Track Training (800m-5000m), Week 8, Day 1

Monday: warm-up, 40-50 minutes moderate running, 6 x 100m stride outs, cooldown

Tuesday: Warm-up, 55 minutes running on trails, 15 minutes easy running, then, 8 times 2 minutes hard, 3 minutes easy, with 15 minutes easy running, and cooldown, (hard running at 1500m pace)

Wednesday: warm-up, 40-50 minutes, moderate running, 6 x 100m stride outs, cooldown

Thursday: warm-up, 55-minute fartlek, 10 minutes running, then 16 x 1 minute hard, 1 minute easy, 13 minutes running, then cooldown

Friday: warm-up, 40-50 minutes moderate running, 6 x100m stride outs, cooldown

Saturday: warm-up, Racing on the relay, 4x400m, plus a 1000m, or an 800m, cool down

Sunday: 65-70 minutes moderate pace, on trails