WHEN MOST NORMAL RACING opportunities from big track meets to marathons were canceled in 2020, pro runners embraced a new type of challenge: the time trial. These attempts to run as fast as you can over a given distance, either alone or with only pacers or teammates, became one of the few reliable ways to assess fitness when racing shoulder-to-shoulder with others was nearly impossible.
But time trials demand a different kind of effort. A recent study in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance suggests that running as fast as you can on your own feels much harder than racing against competitors. However, if done correctly, time trials can provide structure and give signs of progress in your training. Here's how you can make the most of your own race against the clock.
Define your purpose
This story is from the May June 2023 edition of Men's Health South Africa.
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This story is from the May June 2023 edition of Men's Health South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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