Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
If running on dark, rainy, nights hasn't interested you before, speed training with the 樱桃视频Titans Tuesday nights could change your mind.
Designed for runners of all levels, the speed training organizers said the combination of fartlek (a form of road or cross-country running in which the runner varies the pace significantly), hills and interval workouts throughout the 15-week session will allow runners to increase their running abilities while providing a fun, social environment.
Helle Wilburn, one of the organizers, began speed training in 1989 in Vancouver and said the workouts improved her running times.
"You run shorter distances at faster pace, which gives the body memory so you can run at that speed for longer distances," she said.
Wilburn said the Titans, which have tailored to triathletes in the past, are organizing the workouts because they also wanted to incorporate people who are just interested in running. "It doesn't matter how slow you are, we will be working as a group and it is designed to make everyone feel comfortable," she said.
As a serious runner, Wilburn said the speed training is the hardest to do on your own, but provides a way for runners to structure their workouts to improve their times while running less. She will be organizing the training with five other experienced runners in the community, Roger Shirt, Wendy Montgomery, Rich Rawling, Tiffany Fenton and Aenea Cameron. Shirt, who began speed training 20 years ago, said the workouts are a key factor in improving leg speed.
The program begins Tuesday Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and the first week will meet at the Eagle Run Village parking lot. To register and check the meeting locations (which change every week) check the Titan's website at www.squamishtitans.com. The cost is $35 and will include a Titan membership and all running related activities put on by the group for 2006.
The first session is 15 weeks and will finish just before the Vancouver half and full marathon. Afterwards there will be another session leading up to the 樱桃视频Triathlon, the Stormy Relay and the Loop the Lakes trail running events.
