irun magazine volume 1 | Page 8

TRAINING There are many different ways of measuring how your training progresses: some runners like to train by heart rate, others by pace, and others by effort. However, this is where the question arises: which of these is the most effective? The answer lies in all three. HEART RATE If you train by heart rate, lactate threshold workouts will give you the best results and efficiency. Lactate threshold workouts will teach you how to push through the lactic acid build up in your muscles. PACE On the other hand, if you train by pace, base your workouts on realistic times. For example, if your marathon goal pace is around 8 minutes per mile, your speed workouts should be at around a 7 minute per mile pace. This way you’ll train similar to the way you’ll race and you can focus on what’s more important during marathon training which are the long runs. 6 IRUNCOMPANY.COM I 2014