Cut-downs

Cut-downs are sprint sessions where the sprint pace increases for each repeat as the athlete works on improving their speed and form.

Instruction:

Warm-up by jogging easily for minimum of 15 minutes
Run fast 3 times over approximately 100m, increasing the speed each time
Take 2-3 minutes easy recovery jog to regain your breath and return to the start
After the set of 3 take 5-minutes easy jog recovery
Repeat.

Important points:

Run FAST but RELAXED.
The first 100m should be about 1500m/mile race pace.
The second one about 800m race pace
The third one at 400m race pace – in other words progress from running quickly to even quicker and then quickest.
Practice going faster by increasing leg turnover rather then lengthening your stride.
Let your body decelerate naturally at the end of each 100

Rate of perceived effort:

6-7 (85-90% VO_2Max)

Experienced competitors/elites:

The standard cut-down workout allows athletes of all levels to work at their maximum speed but the specialised demands, strengths and weaknesses of many top level competitors means this sessions constitutes just one of many that could be selected.

It is beyond the scope of this workout guide to provide a list of all the possible permutations but a few sample workouts adapted from “Better Training for Distance Runners” by Dave E. Martin and Peter Coe should illustrate the principle:

150m, 120m, 90m, 60m repetitions with 3 minute walk recovery (RPE 9)
4 sets of 4 x 30m. Run the first set of four at 3000m intensity, the second at 1 mile intensity, third at 800m intensity and final at 200m-400m intensity. Two minute active recovery between repetitions and 5 minute rests between each set

Adaptation:

Anaerobic high energy phosphate metabolism (alactic)
Speed

Skill:

Relaxation while running fast

Biggest mistakes:

Forcing speed by tensing muscles and reinforcing poor form
Not allowing adequate recovery by running too fast in between sprints and forcing the body into anaerobic glycolysis

Terrain:

A flat uniform surface with no sharp turns is essential for this type of workout. An athletics track will provide the best training ground with sports pitches being useful alternatives. If your sports pitch doesn’t proivde a 100m straight, consider using diagonal across pitch.