Every runner I know has a ‘number’ rattling around in their head. Maybe this number is 2:00 for the half marathon. Maybe it’s a Boston qualifying time. Maybe it’s 5:00 for the mile!

The only way to find out whether or not you’re capable of achieving whatever number is rattling around in your head is to TRY! So, for this edition of speedwork, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

If you have a specific ‘pace’ goal for whatever race you have on the calendar (The Golden Gate Half? The Monterey Bay Half? Some other race?), come out to the track and try to nail 2 miles at your ‘target pace’ on the track.

If doing a ‘target pace run’ doesn’t resonate for you, I’ve got another option for you. Come out to the track and do a 1-2 mile time trial! Why do this?

I can put together a custom pace chart for you derived from your ‘time trial’ that will ‘project’ what you can (theoretically) muster for a 5K/10K/Half/Full based on what you ran for your time trial. This chart will also include some ‘target’ pace ranges for you to follow on a go forward basis.

FYI, I do time trials with my personal clients every 4-6 weeks as it helps us asses how their training is going, how close we are to our goals, and hone in on any training tweaks we need to make.

Whichever option you choose, we’ll get you warmed up thoroughly with a few laps followed by range of motion drills!