Lightspeed Workout

Reduced weight treadmills, such as under water or air pressure systems, have become popular training tools for many elite runners. I have seen the systems before, but had never had access to one to train on. But recently the Duluth Y, where I do my strength and indoor speed workouts, purchased Lightspeed treadmill system.

The view looking at the treadmill screen

The Lightspeed works on the same theory that other reduced body weight treadmills do. That by running at a lighter weight you can train the body to have a faster turnover and run at a higher speed, while reducing the impact on your body and making recovery from a workout or injury easier. The Lightspeed system has the user put on a pair of thick spandex shorts (you have to purchase these - they get sweaty) which clips onto a bungee and frame system set up around the treadmill. You can raise or lower the harness to control how much lighter you become in the harness.

The frame of the Lightspeed around a treadmill

I ran a test workout on the system last week and, even with everything I have read about these systems, I was impressed. I normally weigh about 138 to 140 lbs, but while on this system I was down to 120 lbs. I began running at my normal easy run pace of 6:45 to 6:50. I quickly began to push the pace and see how I felt. Soon I was clipping off 6:35 miles, then 6:25. The Lightspeed allowed me to run :20 to :25 seconds per mile faster than my normal easy run pace while keeping my heart rate at 146 BPM which is well within my BE 1-2 training zone.

The shorts that hook into the Lightspeed system

I am really excited that I now have access to a Lightspeed treadmill for training. I think it will be a great tool for recovery runs after especially hard workouts and races or in the unfortunate situation I get injured (knock on wood).

Hope 2012 training is going well for all of you. Keep exploring the limits!

Weekend Workouts

This weekend I had some really great workouts on and off the snow. On Saturday Sundari and I went over the Hartley and meet up with Gregg, Tony, and Erik Nordgren. I know I am spoiled when I head out the door and am dissappointed that it is ONLY 25 degrees. What great weather for a JANUARY long run. We headed out for a long run - I was going for a bit more than 3:00. We did a loop in Hartley before swinging back to the parking lot to refuel and then continue on to Hawk's Ridge and the Lester snowmobile trails.

Sundari and I going to Hartley for a long run

When we got to Hawk's Ridge we met up with Dave S. and did a nice loop in Lester. The trails were great for running, but I think skiing or snowshoeing would be a bad idea. There was a a little coating of ice in some places, and all of us took some awkward dives at some point, but we all came out unharmed!

We then headed back up the Lester Amity trails to Hartley and Erik and I finished up at 3:15, with Tony going on for a bit more. He is doing the Cold Water 50K in Arizona in a few weeks so he is getting ready for that. Good luck Tony! It was a great run!

The trail head at Hartley. This is the most snow we ran on all day

Then on Sunday I went down to the North End trail head in Cable WI for a snowshoe workout...on real snow! What a concept! I did a workout with 10 minute ANT reps and a long warm up and cool down. I started the workout on the dedicated snowshoe trails, but most of them are more tree covered and so the snow is a bit thin. I headed onto the Birkie trail and the snow was perfect. I had a great workout and was again the beneficary of great weather in the low 30's! I just hope this snow sticks around for the Boulder ski and snowshoe race this weekend.

This week I will have one mid-long run and two speed workouts, one mid week and one at the Boulder Snowshoe race and USSSA qualifer. My only real goal for the race is to qualify for the USSSA National Championships and get a good ANT workout. All the best to the other racers and anyone racing someone else this coming weekend.

Keep exploring the limits!