What is the winter base idea???

Question

What is the winter base idea???

Answer 1

winter base is when you do some easy runing to stay in shape so you can immediately begin doing some pretty hard workouts when returning to track in spring. running around 15 or 20 easy miles a week is a good idea for this and adding in some hill-running or speed training occasionally.

Answer 2

If i understand your question correctly, the "winter base" you speak of refers to winter training.  You want to get a strong base during the winter (in terms of ability, strength, miles per week, etc.) so that you can have a strong spring.  Instead of getting into shape during spring, you are already in shape, and as such you can do more intense workouts to become even stronger, rather than workouts to get into running condition.

Answer 3

Previous comments are correct, but there are flaws in the idea itself.

Nowadays, competitors following the best principles of exercise science typically train to maintain decent (but *not peak*) race fitness throughout the year. That requires some running at all training paces.

Put another way, don't ever go without training top speed, speed-strength, AT, aerobic capacity (however these are defined for your event), muscular strength, etc.

Your training *must* however vary the degree of emphasis each of these components of fitness receives. For example, during the competition phase and especially during peaking you'll do mostly race-pace running.

Good luck!