What are these STRIDERS? (Read 1281 times)

As far as I know, "strides" are usually somewhat shorter than that - and generally described as short intervals during which you pick up the pace and work on form. Most of the ones I've seen described call for something like 20-40 seconds of running at a faster but comfortable pace, then slowing to a recovery pace in between. It looks like what your program calls "striders" (?) are actually 400m intervals of some kind. Don't quote me on that, but that's how it reads. Maybe somebody else knows your program. (And I'm not saying a word about the choice of 400m as the interval ) As for the mile, since you'll actually be doing TWO 200m recovery jogs ... in between the 3 400m intervals ... I think that's how they get to 1600m/1 mile. I think (I'm guessing) that since this is a novice program, the idea is to get you to run one mile at a slightly faster than usual heart rate. Rather than make you do a whole mile at 80%, they're using the "strider" idea to give you a couple short jog breaks in there. Make sense? Wait. I just noticed that it says total 4 miles - which I guess means the intervals are actually SEPARATE from the "striders?" Now I'm confused. Maybe they mean a mile of strides? Like a mile of short (say 30 second) bursts of speed, and recovery sections ... and THEN traditional 3 x 400m intervals? Pretty complicated for a "novice" program!

OK, Firstly thank you for your help. Secondly I would like to point out that I'm an idiot. I used to live in the states so was used to miles, then I moved to Ireland and now getting used to Kilometers. So I totally didn't realize that I was reading 2 measurement systems, so 1000 meters does not equal 1 mile, which is what I was thinking. Also, I think I was misreading the semicolons. In other words, MKLEIMAN is right. Thanks MK. Now the challenge is figuring out what 100 m is when I am not running on a track. I thought it seemed kind of easy. Hopefully next week won't be screwed up by me not doing this week's properly.

Thanks Mathew, I tend to obsess over the details too and sometimes miss the big picture. I like your picture, I hope to run a marathon next year. Maybe the Dublin marathon. First I have to get over the beginner 12-week program and then I may try to find a good Marathon training program. Recommend any books sources?

I just finished my first marathon using the Pfitzinger 18/55 program from Advanced Marathoning.... I've also heard good things about Hal Higdon's marathon training plans.

I completely agree with the above statements. I used Higdon's plan for my first and second marathons (it's a very popular plan for 1st-timers) and used the Pfitzinger Advanced Marathoning book for my third/most-recent one. I would recommend the Higdon book for your 1st marathon. As MK said, Pfitzingers plan is challenging, also a bit more complex than the Higdon plan. The Higdon plan will give you a good understanding of some of the basic philosophy of marathon training and then you can always go for the Pfitzinger plan on your NEXT marathon! (I'm assuming you'll be completely addicted.) Anyways, that's what worked for me. I'm sure you'll be fine either way. By the way, I'd suggest buying these books (or checking them out at a library, borrowing from a friend?) as there is some good advice/details inside, aside from the training plans. You can find them pretty cheap online (especially if you buy used books), I bet.