Ingredients for a 1 mile race?

Letyourselfgo

Myself and ecoli are more than likely able to secure the use of a track and we were thinking a mile race would be perfect.
Thought I'd start this thread and see what the appetite is like.
If we get enough interested boardsies we'll go ahead.
We were also thinking we could use this thread to discuss the types of training required (similar to http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056285981) for the mile and I suppose the first and most important question from our point of view is
How long do you need?

I was thinking maybe 8 weeks?

edit:
Forgot to say track is in south Dublin

pconn062

I'd be interested in this, started my 1500m training last week! For me if you are treating it as your main event and have a goal race in mind, providing you have a proper base built then 8-12 weeks would be perfect depending on the runner. Lots of different sessions from long reps, 800-1 mile mixed with some tempo work and lots of shorter sessions at race pace. Here is the plan I am using if anyone's interested. It's one I have put together myself with some advice from my coach and different people so don't take it as Gospel but it can be tweaked depending on the runner.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84032881&postcount=780

YFlyer

This will be either a Saturday or Sunday?

Letyourselfgo

YFlyer wrote: »

This will be either a Saturday or Sunday?

Most likely.
The track is booked by clubs Saturday morning, so maybe late afternoon or evening. There's a club meeting this Wednesday so going to suss it out then.

rom

Do you bring own beer or is it supplied ?

wrstan

I'd be game!

Thanks

ecoli

Letyourselfgo wrote: »

How long do you need?

I was thinking maybe 8 weeks?

edit:
Forgot to say track is in south Dublin

I think 8-12 weeks of specific work is ideal. As pconn062 said though this would be coming off a decent base. I think many people view shorter distances as not needing as much work but to be honest it needs probably even more work (though not all of this comes in the form of miles). Unlike longer distances you also have to make an allowance for a few races to "race yourself sharp" and it normally takes 3-4 races at least to run your best

Early season I was running about 1/2 what my usual mileage was but was actually probably training harder between weights, plyometrics, speed development etc

Pisco Sour

ecoli wrote: »

I think 8-12 weeks of specific work is ideal. As pconn062 said though this would be coming off a decent base. I think many people view shorter distances as not needing as much work but to be honest it needs probably even more work (though not all of this comes in the form of miles). Unlike longer distances you also have to make an allowance for a few races to "race yourself sharp" and it normally takes 3-4 races at least to run your best

Early season I was running about 1/2 what my usual mileage was but was actually probably training harder between weights, plyometrics, speed development etc

+1 Sprinters, middle distance runners, jumpers, throwers etc work just as hard as marathon runners. I'm amazed how many people do not get this!

dna_leri

Interested but probably would not travel for it especially with plenty of similar distances on offer at Dublin Graded Meets which have electronic timing. There are 4 Graded Meets with 1500/miles between mid-may and end of July. If you are looking for attendance outside of boards then be careful not to clash with IMC events either.

Letyourselfgo

I suppose the target group is boardsies who might be coming off the back of marathon training, those who might be a little fearful of jumping into a graded meet and those with an eye on the Bhaa track mile in August who as ecoli said may need a few races to sharpen up.

That's who I'd imagine would be interested but it'll be open to any boardsie.
I'll be sure to check out the racing calendar though and avoid clashing.

Regarding drink, no chance am I cleaning up after you lot

Pisco Sour

Good idea btw. Might also be an idea to throw in a 400m race for people aswell. Might give people a chance to have a shot at ticking off the sub 60 on the 10 Round Numbers thread. Less intimidating than graded meets for a first timer.

shels4ever

Would love to run but wouldnt be able to handle the training needed for this, if you need a hand on the day let me know.

blockic

Pisco Sour wrote: »

Good idea btw. Might also be an idea to throw in a 400m race for people aswell. Might give people a chance to have a shot at ticking off the sub 60 on the 10 Round Numbers thread. Less intimidating than graded meets for a first timer.

+1 I'd be interested in trekking up for this if it was on a weekend.

I wouldn't have a clue about anything less than 5km and I have never done track work/races but would be up for having a go off the mile and 800m possibly? Less intimidating as you said.

I probably would not put too much focus on such short distance in training up to it, but I'd give it a go for the experience and it might give me some thing to think about.

Oregano_State

I'd be up for racing a mile a little later in the season if it's a beer mile. Otherwise, I'll certainly do my best to show up and meet a few boardsies if I'm around.

menoscemo

If the dates etc suit I would love to do this race. Would also have a go at a 400m for the Craic!!

pconn062

Just to add, people shouldn't be intimidated by the Graded meets. Each event is divided into different grades depending on ability and even though the standard is fairly high throughout if you enter yourself in the correct grade then you shouldn't be run out of it. I ran two last year and managed not to come last both times so I'd definitely recommend giving them a go.

dna_leri

pconn062 wrote: »

Just to add, people shouldn't be intimidated by the Graded meets. Each event is divided into different grades depending on ability and even though the standard is fairly high throughout if you enter yourself in the correct grade then you shouldn't be run out of it. I ran two last year and managed not to come last both times so I'd definitely recommend giving them a go.

This is generally true for the middle distance events but the 400m can be intimidating with only maybe 2 of 20 entrants slower than 59s. Even some of the best distance runners on here may not be comfortable in these events.

I know this thread is about a 1-mile race but I can see how people would appreciate an alternative 400m race too.

Timmaay

dna_leri wrote: »

Interested but probably would not travel for it especially with plenty of similar distances on offer at Dublin Graded Meets which have electronic timing.

I know its sort of beside the point, but for a beginner mile as such there is no need for full electronic timing. A normal stopwatch will get you to within 1/2 a second which be plenty accurate enough for most people. Just make sure the person on the stopwatch is well use of doing shorter races, you tend to get tighter bunches of athletes. Then record the finish, both looking straight at the athletes, and then straight across the finishline like the professional cameras, will let you pickout people and times afterwards no problems if anything went astray.

Letyourselfgo

Timmaay wrote: »

I know its sort of beside the point, but for a beginner mile as such there is no need for full electronic timing. A normal stopwatch will get you to within 1/2 a second which be plenty accurate enough for most people. Just make sure the person on the stopwatch is well use of doing shorter races, you tend to get tighter bunches of athletes. Then record the finish, both looking straight at the athletes, and then straight across the finishline like the professional cameras, will let you pickout people and times afterwards no problems if anything went astray.

Great idea with the camera, I can set it up in lane 8 looking straight across the finish line.

pconn062

dna_leri wrote: »

This is generally true for the middle distance events but the 400m can be intimidating with only maybe 2 of 20 entrants slower than 59s. Even some of the best distance runners on here may not be comfortable in these events.

I know this thread is about a 1-mile race but I can see how people would appreciate an alternative 400m race too.

True, I suppose I ran the 1500m and the 3000m so maybe the depth is not quite as good. Still I don't think it should put people off having a go.