Rubio Middle Distance Guide[2] FR 1500XTM Guide

User Manual: FR-1500XTM

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Joe Rubio’s
Fundamental
Training
Principles for
the Competitive
1500m Runner.

TRAINING SUGGESTIONS FOR US POST COLLEGIATE CLUB
LEVEL ATHLETES .....................................................................................4
ATHLETE PROFILE ..........................................................................................4
MANUAL FOCUS ..............................................................................................4
MANUAL ASSUMPTIONS .................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................9
THE 1500M AS AN AEROBIC EVENT ............................................................13
DEFINITION OF TRAINING TYPES...................................................................13
DEFINITION OF “TRUE BASE” TRAINING:.................................................18
PACES DEFINED ..............................................................................................19
Aerobic Paces .................................................................................................19
Anaerobic Paces .............................................................................................21
Phosphate ........................................................................................................21
Other Definitions............................................................................................21
TRAINING PRINCIPLES..........................................................................26
RACES:............................................................................................................38
RECOVERY DAYS/WEEKS:...........................................................................41
OTHER HELPFUL HINTS: .............................................................................42
SUGGESTED TRAINING OUTLINE ................................................................49
SUMMER/FALL SUGGESTED WEEKLY OUTLINE: .........................................50
WEEKLY COMPONENTS FOR SUMMER/FALL PHASE:...................................51
WORKOUTS: XC AEROBIC ENDURANCE PHASE (8/1-10/1) .......................52
Specific workouts 8/1-9/1:.............................................................................52
Specific workouts 9/1-10/1............................................................................53
WORKOUTS: XC RACE PREPARATION PHASE (10/1-12/1):........................54
Specific workouts 10/1-11/1:.........................................................................54
Winter/Spring (12/15-7/1): ............................................................................57
TRANSITION PHASE (12/15-1/1): ...................................................................57
1/1-3/1 Weekly Outline..................................................................................58
Weekly Components for True Base : ............................................................58
TRACK AEROBIC ENDURANCE PHASE (1/1-3/1): TRUE BASE PHASE ........59
Scheduled Workouts 1/1-2/1: ........................................................................59
Scheduled Workouts 2/1-3/1: ........................................................................60
TRACK PRE-COMP PHASE 3/1-5/1: FINALLY TIME TO BECOME A MILER! .62

3/1-5/1 Weekly Outline ................................................................................. 63
Specific Workouts 3/1-5/1: ........................................................................... 64
COMP PHASE (5/1-7/1)................................................................................... 66
Scheduled Workouts Comp Phase 5/1-7/1:.................................................. 67
APPENDIX I: ............................................................................................... 69
FALL PROGRESSIONS:.................................................................................. 69
TRANSITION MONTH (8/1-9/1) ...................................................................... 69
MONTH #1 (9/1-10/1): ................................................................................... 70
MONTH #2 (10/1-11/1): ................................................................................. 70
MONTH #3 (11/1-12/1): ................................................................................. 70
SPRING PROGRESSION: ................................................................................ 72
MONTH #1 (1/1-2/1)....................................................................................... 72
MONTH #2 (2/1-3/1):...................................................................................... 72
MONTH #3 (3/1-4/1):...................................................................................... 73
MONTH #4 (4/1-5/1):...................................................................................... 73
MONTH #5 (5/1-6/1):...................................................................................... 73

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner

3

Training Suggestions
for US Post Collegiate
Club Level Athletes
Questions or comments can be forwarded to Joe Rubio
(joe@runningwarehouse.com).
“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his
goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly.” Cecil B DeMille

Athlete Profile
This manual is intended for the competitive post collegiate middle
distance runner who has recently completed their college eligibility.

Manual Focus
There are really no training “secrets” hidden within these pages.
95% of what’s written here is the same information you’d find in
books written by Harry Wilson, Dr. Joe Vigil, Ray/Benson,
Martin/Coe and others, it’s just written from a slightly different
perspective. There is not a profound fundamental difference in
training schedules between this manual and those texts, which is a
good thing. It implies that there is an established successful route to
follow if racing a fast mile is your goal, this one follows a similar
path. This manual was initially written to serve as a reminder to the
author of what training worked for his milers over the years. In
subsequent seasons it has served as a guide to potential athletes on
exactly what the author’s training philosophy entails. This manual
is based on the same fundamental training principles that the
majority of top middle distance runners have used with success since
the 1960’s. Additionally, several current concepts have been
incorporated based on recent data from reliable sources. The
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

primary thing to take away from this manual is that the major
training themes that have worked for the past 40 years continue to
be valid today. You just have to follow them for a few seasons and
they will pay off.

Manual Assumptions
Assumption #1: The athlete following the suggestions in this
manual is an experienced middle distance runner looking to make
significant improvements in their ability to race a 1500 or mile.
These athletes should have at least 4-8 years of experience racing
and training at a competitive level. This program is not intended for
beginners. This program assumes that the athlete will use race
results as the basis for determining the success of their program. The
goal for the athlete following this program should be to improve
significantly enough that they are able to set PR’s and are capable of
racing athletes that they were previously unable to compete against.
The expectations are for the athlete following this program to race
regularly throughout each season and to determine in a competitive
situation if they are having success with their training or not.
Assumption #2: A sound training program that includes an
emphasis on ALL areas of fitness such as aerobic conditioning,
anaerobic conditioning (tempo work), long runs, doubles day, aerobic
capacity (VO2max development), anaerobic capacity (top end
speed) and recovery are the most important factors in influencing
how well you race. Nutrition, flexibility, plyometrics, drills, weights
and many other ancillary training protocols are secondary in
importance to the actual training schedule you follow. This is not
meant to imply that these ancillary items are not important to
1500m success, they certainly are. Unfortunately many athletes
loose sight of the fundamental training that will have the most
profound positive effect on their racing times. These athletes spend
a disproportionate amount of time focusing on ancillary items while
taking shortcuts in the training that will pay the biggest dividends.
This manual covers the fundamental training needed to become a
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner

5

competitive 1500 runner and provides an overview of workout
schedules that consistently gain improvements in the race times of
the athlete’s who use them. The ancillary training such as those
listed above are not covered in this manual. For a very good source
on these items, please refer to: http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/ .
Assumption #3: Real improvement requires a multi-year
commitment. Post collegiate running should be viewed along a
timeline similar to high school and college. High school and college
careers are generally divided into four-year time periods. It is within
these four-year time segments that most athletes learn what it takes
to compete at that level. Training loads and race expectations
increase over each four-year period such that the athlete is much
more competitive as a “junior” or “senior” than they were as a
“freshman” or “sophomore”. Post collegiate running can be viewed
in a similar manner. Significant improvements generally do not
happen the initial two years in high school or college and they
generally will not occur within the first two years of post collegiate
running either. By the third or forth year of competing at all levels,
the commitment and corresponding workloads should be sufficient to
allow the athlete to realize the fruits of their collective efforts.
Many athletes under-perform their first year out of college, become
discouraged and then pack it in because they are frustrated or in
many cases, have unrealistic expectations of what they should be
able to do right out of their familiar collegiate environment. Patience,
faith and hope are all key components in the process. Real
improvement will take time and unfortunately most of it will require
the individual athlete to step up and perform the necessary work
alone. In post collegiate running few care if you improve and even
fewer are there to provide support. You must posses a burning
desire to race fast and you must be mentally prepared to do most of
the necessary training alone. Do not kid yourself, there will be many
frustrating seasons ahead before any real progress is made in the
form of faster race times.

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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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Assumption #4: The athlete must increase their annual training
workload. In the same manner that junior and senior athlete can
handle much harder training than they could as a freshman or
sophomore, the young post collegiate runner should make it a goal to
increase their annual training volume each year of their post collegiate
career as well. For some reason athletes get out of college and decide
that training at the level of their junior year in high school will result
in substantially better times. Why would training at a lower level
result in anything but slower race times? By the third and forth
years after graduation the post collegiate athlete should be able to
tolerate a greater volume of work, at a faster rate of speed and with
less recovery than they were able to accomplish in college or high
school which will generally result in PR’s. This increase does not
have to be heroic every year, just a bit here and there is all it usually
takes. The athlete must continually strive to increase their individual
workloads and raise their personal expectations to ultimately
perform as fast as they are physically capable of.
Assumption #5: The athlete cannot improve if they are injured or
sick. The athlete should do everything in their power to stay
healthy both from a structural standpoint and a sickness one as well.
Tending aggressively to both when they first appear is mandatory.
In many cases, an injury can be forced to go away simply by doing
everything a physical therapist suggests such as taking 1-2 days off,
getting massage, anti-inflams, ice 3x daily, etc. Trouble is, most
athlete get lazy and expect Devine intervention to heal their wounds.
An athlete must take the time not training due to injury and use that
same time rehabbing the area so they can get back to the regular
routine of training as soon as possible. If the athlete is constantly
sick, either they are burning the candle at both ends or their diet
needs attention. More than 1 cold or flu bout a season indicates
something is amiss and needs attention.
Bottom-line Assumption: The athlete has a burning desire to
improve and has the necessary commitment to train as hard as will
be required to achieve substantial results. Without a 110%
commitment to this dream, there really is not much point in putting
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner

7

yourself through the level of training this program entails. Training
halfheartedly and going through the motions will not get results. It is
assumed the athlete wants to improve and is willing to train at a very
high level for a number of years to obtain this goal. Having a job,
training alone in the dark, living on macaroni and cheese and living
pay check to pay check are a given.
This manual is designed for the competitive 1500/miler. Being a
competitive runner implies that once the program is decided upon
there is little paralysis of analysis on what comprises the training.
Instead, the mental energies of the athlete should be focused on how
well you race. Decide on a training program (any program, just
make up your mind), set up your schedule, train within yourself,
execute your race plan and make adjustments along the way as you
learn more about yourself.

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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

Introduction
“When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of
itself.” Albert Einstein
Improving as a middle distance runner (which is defined as a faster,
more competitive one in the context of this manual) is a function of
addressing the basic training principles described below. Without
covering these principles adequately, there’s little chance that the
athlete will race faster.
The basic tenet of competitive distance running is that a poorly
conditioned athlete will make the greatest gains in performance by
focusing on developing their aerobic capacity. Those athletes who
are already highly conditioned will realize their greatest performance
gains through a program designed to improve anaerobic capacity,
running economy and fractional utilization of VO2max while
maintaining their already well-developed VO2max (Vigil, Road to the
Top p.18). Stated another way, the best way to improve your race
times as a competitive runner is by first focusing on maximizing your
VO2max before placing the training emphasis on tempo work, speed
work and drills.
To fully develop the VO2max of an individual athlete may take as
long as several years or as little as several months, it really depends
on the level of training that the particular athlete was exposed to
previously. During the time when we are focused on developing
VO2max we must still address the development of the other energy
systems through tempo work, speed work, long runs and speed drills
but we do not make these elements the emphasis of the program
until we are fairly certain that we have fully addressed the athlete’s
VO2max and developed it to the highest level possible for that
season. Early in a career it will take more time to accomplish this
task than in subsequent seasons, but it still must be done.
Developing the VO2max of the athlete invariably provides the largest
performance gains and is generally the area that college middle
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner

9

distance runners are found to be weak in, which is why we start the
recent post collegiate athlete here.
Once the VO2max is developed through a solid 4-6 month program
of progressive work that focuses primarily on 5k and 10k paced
workouts, we can begin to give greater emphasis on runs performed
at half marathon pace in the form of consistent tempo runs as well as
the ensuring the pace of most runs away from the track (i.e. weekly
long run) are run at a pace slightly slower than marathon race pace
for good percentage of the run. These runs performed at 70-75% of
VO2max increase the athlete’s ability to utilize a greater percentage
of their aerobic capacity developed the previous fall. Development
of an athlete’s VO2max, tempo runs and longer runs at faster than
recovery pace work together to provide the aerobic conditioning
necessary for the athlete to improve dramatically in the 1500m. The
8-10 weeks immediately following XC season are the time to take
the fitness acquired during the previous XC season and apply that
fitness directly to running a base the way in which it was intended,
specifically a higher volume of weekly miles at very solid paces.
I have found that significant improvements in 1500m and mile race
times invariably occur when the post collegiate athlete spends the 68 months before the outdoor season on a program designed to
improve their aerobic capacity (VO2max) and anaerobic conditioning
(tempo runs) such that the athlete attains the fitness of a competitive
5k runner first, then focuses their energies in the final 8-12 weeks of
the season on becoming the best 1500 runner they can through a
greater emphasis on anaerobic capacity work (traditional intervals
run at 400, 800 and 1500 paces). When an athlete does a full
summer, fall and winter of what could be loosely defined as cross
country training, the 1500 runner “suddenly” improves the following
spring. I read a quote from one of the Kenyan coaches at the Atlanta
Olympics who said there was not a real difference in the training
between their marathoners and their 800 runners. Those who had
the best kick ran the 800, those with the least ran the marathon.
Everything else in their training program was surprisingly similar.
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

I’ve done the same here and had a high level of success in doing so as
well.
We should always start competitive 1500 training by becoming a
competitive distance runner first. We must develop the aerobic and
anaerobic conditioning aspects as well as the aerobic capacity
component to the highest levels possible for the current season and
each successive season afterwards before we will see any significant
performance gains made by incorporating a large volume of anaerobic
capacity work, aka speed-work. This should not imply that we do
not focus on the other areas of development and fitness, we
definitely do. Initially though we need to choose our training focus
for the coming year and that choice should be improvement of
VO2max for the recent post collegiate athlete. By and large 1500 and
mile success is based on primarily on the moderate and hard aerobic
work that comprises the summer, fall and winter months. Without
this background the fast, sustained speed work of the spring will not
be effective in producing faster race times. The mile is a distance
event and therefore needs to be treated as an event based on sound
distance training principles the majority of the training year.
Without this highly developed aerobic system in place, development
and improvement through speed work, drills, plyos, etc is unlikely.
Additionally, it is mandatory for the competitive 1500m athlete to
improve their basic 100-400m leg speed throughout the year as well.
This may seem like a contradiction based on the paragraphs written
above, but the 1500 and mile are unique in that they require an
athlete to posses the aerobic strength of a top 5k/10k athlete and the
basic foot speed of a 4 x 400 athlete. Without both, an athlete will
not be as effective a 1500m runner as they could be. Therefore,
while the initial training focus of the athlete is on development of
aerobic capacity (VO2max) it would be fool hearty to forgo the
development of a middle distance runner’s functional leg speed for
any significant length of time during the training year. When we say
we are a distance runner first, this is not defined as spending 10
weeks jogging 100 miles per week in the fall to establish a base. It
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 11

means we focus on developing aerobic capacity while at the same
time working consistently on improving their functional leg speed.
We acquire increased leg speed by scheduling consistent speed
enhancement sessions throughout the summer, fall and winter
months. The goal of these sessions is to increase the functional leg
speed of the athlete as well as increase the efficiency of the athlete
while running at 100-400m speeds. Increasing neuromuscular
efficiency and basic 100-400 leg speed is ultimately the goal, but a
nice bonus is that these sessions also improve lower leg strength thus
decreasing the chance of injury. The athlete should be extremely
comfortable at running fast year round. We can accomplish this
though 5-10 second efforts performed at 400 pace up to and
including 30-60 second efforts at 1500 race pace while providing
plenty of recovery between reps (2-4x or more) to establish these
patterns of movement (i.e. muscle memory). Additionally, we
should incorporate several periods of approx 5 seconds bursts that
are near top end speed to facilitate the development of all-out top
end speed. We want to perform all of these sessions with the best
form possible and let our bodies adapt slowly to faster speeds using
the concept of consistency and progression to obtain improvement.
Hands on the knees, Barf-O-Rama anaerobic sessions is not the idea
here at all and should be avoided at all costs. These sessions should
be completed well within the abilities of the athlete. In this way,
100-400m leg speed is improved and efficiency at 400, 800 and 1500
is increased during periods of training that are focused primarily on
aerobic development. Without attention to leg speed in the summer,
fall and winter, there will be much wasted time in the spring teaching
an athlete to run fast, efficiently again. It is much more effective to
maintain a weekly or bi-weekly speed component in the program
year round.
Finally, it is essential that the efficiency with which the athlete
performs 1500m race pace is increased. By increasing efficiency at
race specific speeds, the energy required to maintain race pace is
decreased. This should result in faster overall race times everything
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

else being equal. This increased efficiency at 1500 pace is
accomplished by consistent workouts completed at 1500 pace
throughout the cross country and true base phases. These are not
heroic sessions in the least, rather they are regularly scheduled
workouts such as 200’s, 300’s and occasional 400’s run at 1500
effort which ensure that the athlete is always familiar with 1500 race
pace and can run it any time of the year smoothly, efficiently and
with minimal effort.

The 1500m as an Aerobic Event
Approximate energy breakdown of the 1500:
Aerobic:

76%

Anaerobic:

22%

Phosphate:

2%

(Source: Martin/Coe, Training Distance Runners. P. 127)
Approximate % breakdown of training for an effective 1500m:
Aerobic conditioning (endurance):

45%

Anaerobic conditioning:

20%

Aerobic capacity:

20%

Anaerobic capacity.

10%

Phosphates:

5%

(Source: Bill Tokar, Ventura HS)

Definition of Training Types
(Source: Martin/Coe, Training Distance Runners)
2 Aerobic conditioning. Performed primarily through moderately
paced sustained runs of 30-120 minutes at 55-75% VO2max.
This particular training zone is responsible for:

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 13

A.
Improved oxidative capacity in cardiac muscle and the
muscles used in running.
B.

Improved joint and tendon strength.

C.
Increased capacity to store fuels such as carbohydrates
and fatty acids
D.
Increased number and size of mitochondria (the
powerhouse of the cell).
E.
Improved O2 delivery and CO2 removal through
increased blood volume and capillary density.
Associated real world paces: Performed primarily through easy to
moderately paced sustained runs of 30-120 minutes at 55-75%
VO2max. This training zone makes up the majority of training most
distance runners do within a standard training week. These are the
runs that go anywhere from a warm-up jog to everyday
conversational pace running. Most general training runs during the
week fall into this category. This pace also encompasses recovery
runs, which for all intents and purposes entail running at less than
65-70% VO2max.
3 Anaerobic conditioning. Performed primarily through 15-25
minute efforts completed at 75-90% VO2max
This particular training zone is responsible for:
F.
Increased adaptation of Type IIA fast twitch fibers to
utilize glycolytic and oxidative enzymes.
G.

Increase stroke volume of the heart.

H.

Increased capillary density and blood volume.

Associated real world paces: Performed primarily through 15-25
minute efforts at 75-90% of VO2max. These runs are generally
defined as tempo or steady state runs and are run at anywhere from
slightly slower than marathon race pace down to as fast as 10k race
pace. The main goal of this workout is to complete a comfortably
hard effort for a sustained period of time.
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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4 Aerobic capacity. Performed primarily through 2-8 minute reps
at 90-100% of VO2max.
This particular training zone is responsible for
I.
Increased adaptation of working muscles to utilize
glycolytic and oxidative enzymes.
J.

Increased blood buffering capacity

K.

Continued activation of fast twitch muscles.

Associated real world paces: Performed primarily through 2-8
minute reps at 90-100% of VO2max. These are classically defined as
interval workouts or fartlek runs whereby the athlete runs at a
particular pace and then takes a recovery jog between hard efforts.
In this case, the harder efforts are performed at primarily 5k to 10k
race pace. This is the fastest of the aerobic paces.
5 Anaerobic capacity. Performed primarily through 30-120 second
reps at better than 100% VO2max.
This particular training zone is responsible for:
L.

Improved functional leg strength and overall speed.

M.
Increased ability to tolerate high levels of lactic acid
through increased buffering capability.
N.
Increased plasma volume and improved neuromuscular
recruitment.
Associated real world paces: Performed primarily through 30-120
second reps at
better than 100% VO2max. This effort is anaerobic and is
considered “speed work” to most. Reps are generally performed at
roughly mile to two-mile race pace for most distance runners,
although middle distance runners should run consistent reps at
1500m race pace and faster with regularity.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 15

6 Phosphates: Performed primarily through maximum all-out
efforts of 5-10 seconds in length.
7 Recovery (not listed above): Performed primarily through easy
runs at less than 65% VO2max and usually between 20-45 minutes
in length. Encompasses the pace of all recovery runs, warm-up,
warm-downs and the start of every run begins at this easy effort.
The above charts make a very strong statement. They highlight the
fact that the majority of energy required to race the 1500 effectively
is derived from the aerobic side of the fence. 76% of the energy
needed to race the 1500 effectively is developed primarily through
runs performed at 70-100% of VO2max pace (roughly 5k pace or
slower). The remaining 24% is made up of runs done at greater than
VO2max pace (1500 pace or faster). Of this 24%, 22% comes from
workouts performed roughly at 1500m, 800m and 400m race pace
while the final 2% or so comes from short bursts at max efforts.
Put into training terms 85% of the training needed to race a top level
1500 comes from aerobic paced training. 45% of this is developed
by 30-120+ minute runs finishing the last part at a decent clip, 20%
comes from 20-50 minute tempo runs and 20% comes from reps
completed at approximately 5k or 10k race pace. These efforts are
all classified as aerobic paces, yet none of these are “easy.” These
paces and efforts are considered hard to most competitive runners.
The common misconception in the American running community is
that aerobic running is “easy.” Aerobic running is definitely not
easy. Quite the contrary, they’re usually pretty hard. If you want
easy mileage you’re in the wrong manual, that’s called jogging and
it’s what recreational fitness runners do. This point needs to be
reinforced to young athletes that if there is any “secret” to racing a
fast 1500 or mile it is that it takes months of hard aerobic work that
is just plain tough. To run a fast mile requires consistently hard
800’s, 1k’s and mile reps, 4-8 mile tempo runs and 12-18 mile runs
at uncomfortable paces for the majority of the training year. The
sustained “speed work” of fast 300’s and 400’s done in the spring is
the fun stuff for the competitive miler. Performing the solidly paced
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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aerobic sessions during the 8 months that precede this is invariably
what separate the 1500m runners who make improvements in race
times versus those who do not.
Because 5k training centers primarily on the same aerobic paces that
the 1500 runner should focus on to improve their aerobic
component, spending the summer, fall and winter months training as
a competitive 5k/XC runner is the basis of the most significant
improvements the competitive 1500 runner is likely to make in their
careers. The emphasis of competitive 5k training centers primarily
on VO2max paces, but there is still a large quotient of 1500 specific
and tempo paced workouts performed to develop a well rounded,
aerobically fit athlete capable of running a fast 400 or 10k/half
marathon if needed. I have had 3 athletes make significant 1500
improvements from the previous year by training in this fashion
(3:46 down to 3:39, 3:47 down to 3:40, 4:34 down to 4:18). I have
also been fortunate to know a substantial number of sub 4 minute
milers and in every instance, all were very competitive distance
runners. They all had the ability to break 14 minutes for 5k or score
in the top 10 for most cross country races as well. Their Sunday
long runs were done with the national class 10k and marathon
runners, plus their runs away from the track were generally
completed at a fairly substantial pace. This ability wasn’t
accomplished by focusing primarily on speed work, it was
accomplished by spending a significant portion of the training year
developing their aerobic capacity. Sub 4 minute miles were the
byproduct of their largely competitive 5k based training efforts.
Ideally, the athlete should be exposed to every pace (100, 400, 800,
1500, 3k, 5k, 10k, tempo, MP, AE, Recovery) as it’s defined above
throughout the training year. The difference is the emphasis placed
on the various paces. In the summer, fall and winter months, the
emphasis is on aerobic paces, in late spring it’s on the anaerobic
paces. Still, we must expose the athlete to all paces no matter how
fast or how slow consistently throughout the year so the athlete
maintains a familiarity with every relevant energy system. To
accomplish this task we focus on a program of periodization,
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 17

meaning we run all paces year round we just change the workout
emphasis on each depending on the time of the year.

Definition of “True Base” Training:
Probably the biggest point of confusion among young competitive
runners has been all the chat on the Internet regarding base work.
Most of the messages you read suggest endless miles of easy
running. Although this is correct for young and beginning runners, at
some point the pace needs to be progressively increased if the
competitive miler is going to fully benefit. Ideally base work as it’s
classically defined includes a higher volume of weekly miles
performed at 70-75% effort with a once weekly run at roughly 85%.
Put into training terms, this would mean a 4:00 miler would complete
most runs during the true base phase at between 5:45-6:15 pace with
a weekly 20-50 minute tempo run at 5:00-5:10 pace.
This actually posses a bit of a problem for many athletes. Most
runners in the fall and summer have established new weekly mileage
goals that should to be adapted to first before we concern ourselves
with the pace with which these miles are run. It is therefore prudent
to let the athlete adapt to that new level of workload for a fairly
substantial period of time before worrying about the pace with
which the runs are completed. It is suggested that all runs classified
as AE runs are done in a conversational manner throughout the
summer and fall (basically the entire XC season). The goal during
these initial few months of the program is to cover the distance and
not worry about the speed. If pace becomes an issue, using 65-70%
of current 5k fitness as the fastest pace allowed during this time
usually ensures that the athlete is keeping the paces conservative
enough so they adapt to the miles and stay healthy, which is ideal
for the fall.
Following the small break after XC Fall Nationals is ideally when we
start concerning ourselves with the pace of the runs away from the
track. The 8-10 weeks following the Christmas break is really the
true base phase as its classically defined, which means to say it’s all
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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about a higher volume of weekly miles completed at faster aerobic
paces approaching 70-75% VO2max. At this point of the training
year the athlete should be fully adapted to the weekly mileage goals
established 6 months earlier and we can set about fully developing
the aerobic and anaerobic conditioning components of the athlete.
These will be the building blocks for the real 1500 improvement we
will see in the spring and summer. During the 8-10 weeks of the
Aerobic Endurance Phase (1/1-3/1) the pace of most runs should be
monitored. The pace for the last 25% or so of these runs should be
completed at 70-75% of 5k fitness. It should not go faster than this,
but as much of these runs that should be completed at these paces as
possible.
So again, it’s easier runs in the summer and fall about covering
distance and not the pace with which you run. Pace is dictated by
65-70% of 5k fitness. In the winter and spring we start monitoring
the paces of the runs away from the track because by this time the
mileage of the run is a given, we need to up the ante on the pace to
maximize aerobic fitness. The goal of AE runs at this time of the
year is to cover a large percentage at 70-75% of 5k fitness.

Paces Defined
Aerobic Paces
Recovery: Also called active rest and the one pace that those who
over train and under perform invariably forget. Most non-elite
runners tend to run this pace much too fast for their abilities, thus
they never allow themselves adequate recovery which is essential in
the process of overcompensation. The body (muscles, tendons and
neuromuscular system) need adequate time to regenerate and become
stronger. Never, ever forget that regular recovery is the most vital
and most overlooked aspect of the training process. A recovery run
is typically defined as 20-45 minutes of slow and easy jogging. The
idea is to move the crap out of your legs, not to get in an extra 4 mile
tempo run. The pace should be no faster than 65% of your 5k pace
at any point in this run (usually in the low to mid 60% range is what
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 19

we want). If you allow 6+ hours between sessions, doing one of
these easy recovery runs in the AM and another in the PM is fine
and within the definition of a recovery day if you’d like to maintain
double days within the schedule.
Aerobic Conditioning/Endurance (AE): 30-120+ minutes (includes
the long run). A run that starts at recovery pace and picks up to
nearly marathon race pace by the end of the run after the athlete
loosens up. Usually they are finishing at a decent clip without really
forcing the issue. This run makes up the large bulk of the weekly
training outside of recovery running for most distance runners and
can be pretty brisk at points when they're in shape, so roughly 7080% of 5k pace which is usually figured at between 4-10 seconds per
400 slower than your current marathon pace. When they're not that
fit this run is usually done at recovery pace or slightly faster.
Marathon Race Pace: A pace that's 4-5 seconds per 400m slower
than ½ marathon race pace or 4-5 second faster than AE. If you
want to get fancy about determining this pace take your mile pace
for 400m and add 20 seconds if you're a sub 4:30 miler (67.5 + 20 =
92.5). Add 25 seconds if you're sub 5:00 minute miler (75 + 25 =
100) and 30 seconds if you're sub 5:30 miler (82.5 + 30 = 112.5).
The other option is take you're pace for a 3k and divide by 80%.
Example: A 4:00 miler runs 60 second pace, if you add 20 seconds
as it’s suggested above, you get a suggested MP pace of 80/400 or
5:20 per mile pace. The same 4:00 athlete should be able to run
about 64 pace for a 3k, so 64/.80 = 80 second pace or the same 5:20
mile.
Anaerobic Conditioning/Tempo: Pace that's 4-5 seconds per 400m
SLOWER than current 10k race pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m
FASTER than marathon race pace. If you're doing a tempo run and
can't honestly maintain the pace for 50-60 minutes then it's probably
too fast. The idea is a strong run within yourself, not a killer 8 mile
race. This pace is roughly your ½ marathon race pace and if you do
enough of this you become very, very strong. Not particularly fast,
just strong. This run done consistently over time improves the
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

percentage of VO2max you can effectively use (fractionalized
utilization). So while it doesn’t directly affect your racing ability, it
greatly enhances the available tools you have to run a fast mile.
Performed at roughly 85-87% of VO2max.
10k: Your current 10k race pace which is roughly 4-5 seconds per
400m faster than tempo pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m slower than
5k pace. Approx 90% VO2max.
5k: Your current 5k race pace which is roughly 4-5 seconds per
400m faster than 10k pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m slower than 3k
pace. Approx 95-100% VO2max.
3k: (warning: too much work at 3k pace can tank you. Better to
stick to 5k pace as much as possible particularly for males). Your
current 3k race pace which is roughly 4-5 seconds per 400m faster
than 5k pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m slower than 1500 pace.
Approx 100-105% VO2max.
Anaerobic Paces
1500: Your current 1500 race pace which is 4-5 seconds per 400m
faster than 3k pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m slower than 800 pace.
800: Your current 800 race pace which is roughly 4-5 seconds per
400m faster than 1500 pace or 4-5 seconds per 400m slower than
400m race pace.
400: Potential all out finishing speed for most distance runners.
Phosphate
Max efforts: 5-10 seconds at full top end speed. Used to enhance
phosphate utilization.
Other Definitions
Strides: Approx 15-30 second efforts performed at the same pace
throughout. Should be smooth, relaxed and loose. Recovery is
generally twice the time run.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 21

Accelerations. Starting at one pace and working through several
“gears” ultimately finishing at a faster rate of speed than the one
started with. Can also be done with a “burst” of speed within
specified sections (sprint/float/sprint). Most burst should last from
5-10 seconds (no more). Ideally the acceleration should include a
section 5-10 seconds at near top end speed. Maintaining form is
paramount as is ensuring the effort does not become an overly
stressful one. The goal here is RELAXED speed, not straining
speed. Therefore plenty of recovery is given between efforts and
majestic form is required. IE. 4-6 x 120 accelerations. Diagonals of
football field w/ easy walk across recovery. Start at 1500 effort,
finish last 10m at best relaxed top end speed.
Fly-ins: All out max efforts of about 5-10 seconds done with a
flying start. Used to enhance phosphate utilization.
Hill reps: There are 3 basics speed we use when doing hill reps.
Usually done on soft, smooth surfaces such as dirt or grass.
Moderate incline, 250-300m in length. Please note that hill reps are a
form of strength training. If you cannot get into a gym, don’t stress.
Consistent hill reps are probably better than hitting the weight room
particularly since most people try to gain strength through osmosis
in the weight room seeing as few have a specific lifting program.
They just do a few bench presses and call it a day. Hill reps are
much better than this form of lifting.
• Form: This is where the athlete concentrates on running
uphill with the best form they can. Running tall, hips forward, feet
landing under the center of gravity, good arm action, strong/quick
push off, quick turnover. Basically a poor man's plyo. Usually
these are done at tempo/10k effort early on. These do a great job
early in the season of getting the strength built up in your legs such
that when you add the real fast stuff you are better prepared to
handle the increased intensity. They look easy on paper but usually
make you pretty sore the first time or two you do them. If you do
this properly, the pace is faster than anticipated simply because it's
hard to run jogging slow if you are doing all the good form stuff.
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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Good to keep in the back of your mind in a race that if you
concentrate on the form, you'll be running fairly brisk when you run
up hills.
• Moderate: These hill reps are done at roughly 3k/5k
EFFORT, not pace. You want the form to stay in tact, but the
emphasis is a moderately hard uphill run. In fact, as you get fitter
the “form” speed and the “moderate” speed almost become the same
pace. Early in the season, the times are about 3-5 seconds apart on a
300m gradual hill.
• Brisk: These are done at 1500/3k EFFORT, not pace.
Hard, fast rep with the emphasis on fast turnover, while maintaining
great form. If the form falls apart, the athlete is done. The time is
usually 3-5 seconds faster on the brisk ones than on the moderate
ones for a 300m long uphill.
Progressive Hill Reps: Starting at a very modest effort and running
each successive rep 1 second faster than the previous. IE. 54, 53,
52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46. Usually start at tempo effort and finish at
1500 or better effort.
All Out Hills: Steep incline. 80-120m in length. Reps performed at
best effort with full recovery. Done to enhance phosphate
utilization.
Fartlek: My definition of the way a fartlek is supposed to be run is
different than most. In similar fashion to the way in which the great
Kenyan runners perform their fartlek sessions, we ask that the
recovery portion is at a fairly solid (not jogging) pace and perform
surges off this faster, sustained recovery pace. Ideally, fartleks are
performed in the summer and fall when the 1500m runner is
concerned with aerobic development. This is best accomplished by
training at pace faster than LSD for extended periods of time (20-50
minutes). Therefore, we want to maintain a solid aerobic pace of at
least aerobic conditioning pace as the “off” portion of the workout.
The faster “on” portion is really a surge performed off of a good,
strong aerobic pace which is much more difficult and beneficial than
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 23

the traditional method of running too hard on the “on’s” and taking a
very easy recovery jog between these overly hard efforts.
Essentially the goal is to be able to surge consistently off of a 20-50
minute AE paced run. Gaining the ability to do this indicates solid
aerobic development. As the athlete attains greater fitness
throughout the fall, the “off’s” of the fartlek should begin to increase
in pace. They should start in early fall at the slow end of aerobic
conditioning pace (2 min/mile off 5k pace), then drop to about 75%
of 5k pace by the middle of XC season. Finally, the pace should get
down to 80% (approx 60 sec/mile off 5k) by the middle to end of the
fall. The fast “on” pace should not change drastically. Generally
these “on’s” will be run at 10k-tempo effort in the summer and get
down to roughly 5k-10k effort by the end of the fall. Most fartleks
will be run with equal amounts of “on” and “off” or slightly less time
on the “off’s”. “On’s” are run anywhere from 15 seconds to 3
minutes in length, sometimes even up to 5 minutes in length by the
middle to end of the fall. Usually a total amount of 10-25 minutes of
total “on’s” are plenty.
Fartlek examples include:
•

“Minutes”: 10-25 x 60 seconds on/off.

•

“NAU” fartlek: 3-8 x 3 minutes on/off. Done every other
week. Recovery decreases 30 seconds each successive time
this workout is run until the athlete gets down to 1 min.

•

”Waitz” Fartlek: 1 on/off, 2 on/off, 3 on/off, 4 on/off, 5
on/off, 4 on/off, 3 on/off, 2 on/off, 1 on/off.

•

”Jane Fonda” (20 min workout): 15 seconds on/off, 30
on/off, 45 on/off, 60 on/off, 90 on/off, 120 on/off, 90 on/off,
60 on/off, 45 on/off, 30 on/off, 15 on/off.

•

”Wake Forest Drill”: Find a gradual uphill slope of approx.
800m. Run up at 5k-10k effort, hit the top, turnaround
immediately and run the same downhill section at 10-20
second slower, turnaround and immediately run uphill at 5k-

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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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10k effort. Continuous run (no breaks), up and down = 1
rep. Total workout = 3-8 reps.
•

For those coming off an injury or extended break: 6-10 x 30
second on/90 off or 4-8 x 1 min on/5 off.

Adams State Reps: We do these towards the end of XC season to
increase leg turnover during mile reps. We do our mile reps on a XC
course that’s 1500m long and is gradually uphill on dirt. We’ll run an
uphill rep, take our 3 min recovery, then turnaround and focus on
running the downhill portion at a fast, controlled pace. There is
usually a 20 or so second difference between the uphill and downhill
portions and we always finish with a faster downhill rep. The
downhill portion is really the emphasis. It’s where we teach the
athlete to run downhills at a faster rate of speed and do it efficiently.
XC courses go up and down, this helps the athlete develop
efficiency on both while increasing turnover as well.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 25

Training Principles
The following principles of progression, workload volumes, rest
intervals, workout paces, multi-paced training schedules and
recovery days/weeks are extremely important. These guidelines can
help the athlete establish a program that is effective, personalized
and appropriate for them. These principles provide a structure that
ensures the correct volume of work is performed, at the proper pace
and during the appropriate time of the training year. This greatly
increases the odds of obtaining significant improvements while
staying healthy and maintaining mental focus. The athlete is allowed
to adapt to stress gradually (chronic stress = adaptation) and avoid
many of the problems associated with adding too much, too soon
(acute stress = breakdown). Signs of over training include injuries,
races below the level of workouts, lack of motivation, constant
fatigue, etc – none of which are conducive to setting PR’s. We want
the athlete healthy, fit and ready to race which the following
guidelines help accomplish.
Most athletes left to their own devises will tend to overtrain in some
areas, while under train in others. Athletes naturally like to do
workout which give them confidence. In most cases, milers like to
do fast 200’s, 300’s and 400’s. They tend not to like things like mile
reps, tempo runs or long runs with the 10k/marathon guys that are
just a bit too fast to ever feel comfortable. Because of this natural
tendency to do what athlete’s are proficient at while avoiding the
things that they are not very good at, many athletes will rationalize
themselves into performing one workout instead of another. For
instance, the athlete may choose to do 12 x 400’s at 1500 pace (i.e.
64 pace) instead of the scheduled 3 x 1600 at 5k pace (i.e. 72 pace)
rationalizing that because both are the same volume of work the 12 x
400 version is better because it is performed at a significantly faster
pace. Or the athlete is scheduled to run 8 x 400 at 62 and ends up
running the entire the workout at 58 pace because it felt “easy”,
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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while a workout that calls for 6 x 800 at 2:10 are never completed
because the athlete rarely feels “good” on these harder VO2max
sessions. In this fashion the athlete over trains at 1500 pace while at
the same time under-train other vital energy systems. This goes on
day by day, week by week, season by season and the athlete
ultimately fails to make any significant progress. This is usually not
great for an athlete’s motivation.
Progression: The basic law of progression states that as the body
improves in fitness, the ability to tolerate individual workloads
increases. Progression is a systematic format that allows the athlete
to do more work at a faster rate of speed and with less recovery at
the end of the season than they were able to perform at the start.
This should result in a fitter athlete and faster overall racing times.
This is one of the best ways to increase fitness effectively and
maintain an athlete’s health along the way.
In the real world, we can manipulate one of three variables to bring
about changes in fitness:
You can do more.
Ex. Long runs:
Month #1: 12 miles
Month #2: 14 miles
Month #3: 16 miles
Month #4: 18 miles
You can do it faster.
Ex. 800m reps:
Month #1: 10 x 800 at 10k pace
Month #2: 8 x 800 at 5k pace
Month #3: 6 x 800 at 3k pace
Month #4: 4 x 800 at 1500 pace
You can do it with less recovery.
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 27

Ex. 5k paced reps:
Month #1: 12 x 400 at 5k pace
Month #2: 6 x 800 at 5k pace
Month #3: 5 x 1000 at 5k pace
Month #4: 3 x 1600 at 5k pace
We always start each at a manageable training level and then raise the
level of work each month either by doing more, doing it faster or
doing it with less recovery. This allows us to expose the athlete to a
tolerable level of stress, allow them time to adapt (usually 3-4
weeks) and then raise the workload again. We do this not only
within each season, but from year to year as well. In this fashion we
can start an athlete with say 12 x 400 at 68 in month #1, then
progress them to 6 x 800 at 2:16 in month #2, 4 x 1200 at 3:24 in
month #3 and finally 3 x 1600 at 4:32 in month #4 just before XC
nationals. All workouts add up to 3 miles worth of running at 68
pace, we just remove a bit of recovery each month while maintaining
the same pace and increasing the amount of ground covered at 68
pace. This should result in a fitter athlete by season’s end. Another
example is using the following sample progression to obtain 4:00
mile fitness by the time USATF Nationals rolls around. Using a
schedule based on progression, we would expect the athlete to be
able to achieve the following: 12 x 200 at 30 in January, 8 x 300 in
45 in February, 6 x 400 at 60 in March, 4 x 600 at 1:30 in April and
finally 3 x 800 at 2:00 in May right when the big qualifying meets are
held.
Workload Volumes:
The volume of work to be performed per
session at each individual training pace is pre-determined for the
athlete before the season begins. In this way, neither the coach, nor
the athlete overwhelms the athlete with an inappropriate volume of
work at any one pace in a single workout. For instance, if we set the
volume of work for an athlete at 3200m worth of work at 1500 pace
in a standard workout, we could do any number of workouts such as:
16 x 200, 10 x 300, 8 x 400, 5 x 600, 4 x 800. If the athlete came to
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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us in April after a huge PR and said they read about a workout that
Jim Ryun completed of 16 x 400 at mile race pace that they wanted
to try, we could adapt it to this particular athlete and set it up to run
at 8 x 400. This allows the athlete to try the Ryun workout, but at
an appropriate workout volume for that particular athlete. We could
then throw out the carrot and set the goal for next year of completing
10 x 400, then 12 x 400 the following year, then 14-16 the year after.
This helps tremendously in setting long term goals and showing
athletes that development within the sport can be planned for.
The athlete will maintain these pre-set volumes for an entire season
and then adjust them for the following season. During the annual
break, the coach and athlete should sit down and decide which paces
need adjusting and which do not. Please note, not all workout pace
volumes should be adjusted annually. In some cases, only adjusting
1 or 2 set volumes will be all an athlete needs. More is not always
better.
Example: Athlete A is a female 1500 runner. This is her first
year out of college and the following volumes of workload at each
workout pace have been set based on her college logs which indicate
the level of work she has been exposed to up to this point. Some
paces have stayed the same as college while others have been
increased.
Pace

Total Volume of Work Performed per Session

400 pace:

800m (total volume in ’02), 800m (planned
volume in ’03).
Example workout: 4 x 200 at 400m pace = 800m
of running done at 400m race pace.

800 pace:

1200m (total volume in ’02), 1600m (’03). Ex. 4
x 400 at 800 pace

1500 pace:

1600m (total volume in ’02), 2400m (’03). Ex 6
x 400 at 1500 pace

3k pace:

2800m (total volume in ’02), 3200m (’03). Ex. 4

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 29

x 800 at 3k pace.
5k pace:

4200m (total volume in ’02), 5000m in (’03). Ex.
5 x 1k at 5k pace

10k/tempo:

5000m (total volume in ’02), 6400m in (’03). Ex
4 miles at tempo

Long run:

10 miles in (’02), 14 miles in (’03).

Guidelines for Setting Rest Intervals between Reps: Manipulating
recovery rates (rest intervals) is one of those aspects of training that
there really is not much written about. Ideally you want the correct
length of recovery such that the athlete is able to perform the
prescribed workout, yet not so much that the value of the workout is
diminished. If you fail to provide enough recovery over a length of
time, the athlete will become overworked from straining unduly to
hit the workout times and begin the process of breaking down due to
over-training. In most cases providing a bit too much recovery is
much better then providing too little. Most of it though is based on
trial and error. Over the years, I have used the following chart as my
guideline for setting recovery rates for each workout pace. I have
found it to work well for my athletes. There have been a few who
have handled less recovery, but this did not allow them to perform
any faster in races than they did when they worked under this chart.
Approximate recovery times based on the time run at indicated pace.
IE. 60 seconds of running at 1500 pace at 2x recovery = 120 second
recovery
400 pace:

8x (i.e. 100 in 12. 12 x 8 = 96 seconds recovery)

800 pace:

4x (i.e. 200 in 30. 30 x 4 = 120 second
recovery)

1500 pace:

2x (400 in 70. 70 x 2 = 140 seconds recovery)

3k pace:

1x (800 in 2:30. 150 seconds x 1 = 2:30

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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

recovery)
5k pace:

.75x (1600 in 5:20. 320 seconds x .75 = 240
seconds recovery)

10k pace:

.50x (3200 in 11:20. 680 seconds x .5 = 340
seconds)

tempo pace:

.25x (3200 in 12:00. 720 seconds x .25 = 180
seconds recovery)

Another trick as the season progresses is to shorten the recovery in
half as part of a set, then double the recovery between sets. This
allows us to expose the athlete to a higher stress at points of the
season.
Example:
Current fitness: 8 x 400 at 1500 pace (60) w/ 2:00 recovery.
Potential “set” workout to progress fitness: 4 x [2 x 400 (60)]. 30
sec between each, 4 min between sets.
Both examples above have the same volume of work at the same
pace, but we have greatly reduced the recovery between particular
reps making each set very similar to 800’s at 60 pace and then
overcompensated with a 4min recovery. This format of running reps
in sets is very effective in helping athletes jump from one fitness
level to the next, higher one.
Establishing Workout Paces: Workout paces are the one area of
training that most young athletes get a bit out of control and overly
anxious with. Many, many athletes get overly caught up in their
workout times (and those of others) at the expense of their races. In
too many instances an athlete’s race times will not equate to the
paces being accomplished in practice. For example, an athlete is
consistently running 1500 pace workouts at 58 pace in practice,
while actually racing a 1500’s at 62 pace. It seems like the only way
to slow the guy down is put a uniform on him. If this happens, it is
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 31

a strong indicator that the athlete is probably over training or at the
very least, leaving their Saturday races at Wednesday’s workout
(over reaching). Most success is achieved by training at a pace just
slightly slower than the athlete is capable of, “train optimally, race
maximally.” All workouts paces ideally should be based on the best
available data for determining current fitness. In this way, we are
fairly certain that the athlete is performing the assigned workout at a
pace that’s appropriate for them and not someone they read about
on the internet. Since most athletes lack lab facilities, the use of race
results and the subsequent use of comparison charts allows for
setting appropriate workout paces based on an athlete’s true fitness.
Race results are the most effective means for most to determine how
fast they can actually run a set distance. Fitness charts are widely
available through sources such as Dr Daniels, Dr Purdy (Running
Trax), Benson/Ray’s “Run with the Best” and Frank Horwill all have
versions of comparison charts, plus there are many other versions
available on the internet.
We use a form of Horwill’s 4 second rule mostly because I can do it
in my head at the track and not have to carry a chart around with me
all the time. Maybe it’s surprising, maybe it’s not, but the results
from all the various charts come out very similar to each other so
please do not conclude that one is better than another. Use the one
you feel most comfortable using. To determine your ideal workout
paces using Horwill’s system, start with the distances of 400, 800,
1500, 3k, 5k, 10k, tempo and marathon then apply the 4 second rule
if it’s a 4 minute miler, 5 seconds if it’s a 5 minute miler, 6 seconds if
it’s a 6 minute miler. To determine your theoretical race/workout
paces, you would convert a recent race result into its corresponding
400m pace. Then you would add 4 seconds to each successive
distance above the performed race distance or subtract 4 seconds for
each individual race distance below the race distance. For instance,
we have an athlete who has just run a 4:00 1500. This would
translate into a fitness level of approx 64 pace for any workout
performed at 1500 pace. For determining 800 paced workout reps
we would subtract 4 seconds from the recent 1500 race pace of 64
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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and get 60 (64 – 4). We would then have the athlete run their 800m
race paced workouts at 60 pace. We would also expect the athlete to
be able to race an all out 800 at 60 pace and would set that as an
expected and appropriate goal for the athlete. For 400m race paced
reps, we would set 56 as the pace (60 – 4). For 3k reps we would
set the pace at 68 (64 + 4), 5k would be at 72 pace (68 + 4), 76 pace
for 10k paced reps (72 + 4), tempos at 80 (76 + 4), marathon paced
workouts would be at 84, aerobic conditioning runs would be
completed at 88-92 pace and recovery run would be completed at no
faster than 92.
In reality, the paces at 1 or possibly 2 speeds above or below your
best race distance are most accurate. In some cases, you will have
the above 4:00 1500 athlete who can only run 16:30 for 5k instead of
the projected 15:00. If this is the case, you would use 2 charts for
that athlete. One for the 400, 800 and 1500 based on the stronger
1500 pace of 64. The other chart would be based around the 80
second 5k fitness the athlete posses (3k = 76, 5k = 80, 10k = 84,
tempo = 88, marathon = 92, AE = 96). A large gap between your
theoretical race time and your actual time for any distances can help
pinpoint where you are comparatively weak in your development
and can serve as an area to emphasize future training upon. In the
above example where an athlete can run 64 pace for a 1500 and only
run 80 pace for a 5k, this indicates additional work is needed to
develop their aerobic capacity. This would then be the focus until
the 5k pace drops into the range we would expect, in this case 72
pace or better for a 5k given the same 1500 time. Few athletes will
be equal across the board with their 400 equating to their marathon,
but these charts are great for setting workout paces and determining a
training focus for the coming season.
For instance, here are some paces from an actual athlete I worked
with in 1997-2000. His PR times from college were:
400

50

800:

1:52 (56)

1500: 3:46 (61)
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 33

3k:

NT

5k:

14:46 (71)

Given his 400 speed, we should have seen the following:
400:

50

800:

1:48 (54)

1500: 3:38 (58)
3k:

NT

5k:

13:45 (66)

Obviously, the athlete needed some work on aerobic capacity
considering that every step up the distance chart resulted in an even
greater spread than the previous one. We spend 2 years working on
aerobic conditioning and aerobic capacity, plus tempo work
(anaerobic conditioning) and these were his times by 1999:
400:

50

800:

1:47 (54.5)

1500: 3:39 (59)
3k:

8:06 (65)

5k:

13:49 (66)

The actual times achieved above were much more in line to what we
should see from an athlete who has been trained with a greater
emphasis on aerobic development.
This type of comparison chart or any of the other fine charts can
prove invaluable for helping set the appropriate paces for the
athlete’s workouts. Here is an actual example from this past 2002
XC and 2003 outdoor track season on the use of the Horwill system
to set workout paces:
Athlete A has run a best of 4:34 for 1500m in the 2002 outdoor
season and holds a 4:27 PR set in 2001. We decide to apply the 5
second rule to set her workout paces since she is essentially a 5
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

minute miler at her best. The athlete runs conservatively on all
workouts in July and August making sure she is keeping all workout
paces at a manageable effort well under the effort run the previous
spring. She runs a certified 10k road race in September and finishes
with a 36:34 (88 second/400 pace). We then set her workout paces
as follows using the 5 second rule based on a current reliable figure of
88 second pace for 10k:
400:

63 (68 – 5)

800:

68 (73 – 5)

1500: 73 (78 – 5)
3k:

78 (83 – 5)

5k:

83 (88 – 5)

10k:

88

tempo:

93 (88 + 5)

marathon pace: 98 (93 + 5)
AE:

103 (98 + 5) – 108 (103 + 5)

Recovery: No faster than 108 pace
We maintain the workout paces at this level until we have a
compelling reason to adjust which is generally a comparatively better
race time at any race distance, a time trial or a reliable real world test
result such as a Kosmin Test. In this case, since the athlete did not
run another road races or indoor race and only ran XC races in the
fall, every workout from September through early March were run at
the above paces. The first week of March we had her run a 1500
Kosmin test (http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/kosmin.htm) to
determine current fitness. The athlete covered 1460 meters, which
projects a time of 4:24 (71) for 1500m. We then adjust the workout
paces to the following using the 5 second rule based on this reliable
test result:
400:

61

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 35

800:

66

1500:

71

3k:

76

5k:

81

10k:

86

tempo:

91

marathon pace: 96
AE:

101-106

Rec:

Slower than 106 pace

In mid March, the athlete ran an 800 in 2:12 which confirmed the
Kosmin test conducted two weeks earlier. Since this was the same
level performance as the chart indicated above, the workout paces
stayed the same.
In late March, the athlete was instructed to set a goal pace of running
71 pace for her first 1500 of the year. Although this was a 3-4
second PR, we knew the athlete was capable of this type of
performance based on the Kosmin test as well as the 2:12 800m race
which confirmed her fitness. She ran a PR 4:22 (70) for the 1500 in
winning her heat of the Stanford Invitational. Her workout paces
were adjusted as follows based on this new, higher level of fitness
and using the 5 second rule:
400:

60

800:

65

1500:

70

3k:

75

5k:

80

36
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

10k:

85

tempo:

90

marathon pace: 95
AE:

100

In May, the athlete ran another PR 1500 in 4:20 (70 pace). This
pace was not substantially faster to justify changing the workout
paces. If she had run 4:18 or better, her workout paces would have
dropped another second per pace.
In this fashion we adjust the workout paces as fitness increased
ensuring an appropriate level of work for that individual athlete.
Remember, we kept the workout paces the same from September
through March without adjusting them because we did not have
reliable information to indicate they should be adjusted even though
it was obvious that the workout level at times was below her ability.
In this case, the athlete started with 1500 pace workouts being
performed for much of the year at 73 pace. By the end of the year,
she was racing at 70 pace which was a good 15 seconds faster at the
1500 that she was able to race the previous year. She maintained her
health the entire year and maintained or improved her performances
at every meet throughout the season.
Multi Paced Schedule: Over/Under Training: I have found that a biweekly schedule of multi-paced training whereby we dedicate an
entire training day to an individual workout pace (i.e.. Mon: 1500,
Wed: 800, Sat: 5k) allows us to manipulate the necessary training
components/energy systems within an outline that’s easy to use and
effective, all necessary training paces are addressed while none are
ignored. The plan that follows are organized around the multi paced
concept of “over/under training” which implies that within 3
successive workouts, one workout will be run at primary race pace,
one will be run at slower than primary race pace and one will be run
at faster than primary race pace. In early spring, the standard
training week for most 1500 runners would include one workout to
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 37

be run at faster than 1500 pace (all-out, 400, 800), one workout to be
run at slower than primary race pace (3k, 5k, 10k or tempo) and the
final workout for the week would be run at primary emphasis pace
for this time of the year, which is 1500 pace. In the fall, the primary
emphasis is on developing the athlete’s ability as a 5k runner.
Therefore, the primary race pace would be 5k pace. In the course of
3 successive workouts, one would be at 5k pace, one would be
slower (10k or tempo) and the next would be preformed at faster
than 5k pace (800, hill rep, 1500, 3k)
This is how it would look written another way:
March rotation of workouts:
Week #1:
Mon: 800 pace (faster)
Wed: 1500 pace (at primary race pace)
Sat:

5k pace (slower)

Week #2
Mon: 400 pace (faster)
Wed: 1500 pace (at primary race pace)
Sat:

Tempo run (slower)

Races:
“Great fear will always loose out to great faith.” Zig Ziglar
“Baseball is 90% physical. The other half is mental.” Yogi Berra
Racing is the best way we have to immediately impress upon the
athlete how well they are doing. Racing provides instant feedback
and makes it very easy to determine what needs attention and what
is working. Races are invaluable in helping teach athletes to challenge
themselves and learn to be mentally tough. In many cases, athletes
will spend months, even years training without ever racing. They are
always preparing for the future without living in the present. They
38
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

never receive real feedback during this “base” time and develop many
unrealistic expectations about their true fitness level. There is no
possible way to improve as a competitive miler without racing
consistently. On average, the 1500 runner is required to race a 5k1/2 marathon at least once a month in the late summer and fall, and
then on the track every two to three weeks once the outdoor season
gets under way. It takes 5-7 800 or 1500 races to work the bugs out
and actual race reasonably well. Do not make the mistake of passing
up low key early season meets as your opportunity to work on race
strategy, increase fitness and serve as rust busters before the main
qualifying meets of the season. By the time the big meets in May
roll around, the club level 1500 runner should have at least 3-4 meets
under their belt. Opening up in April is generally too late unless you
have already qualified for USATF’s or the Trials for that season and
even then it’s late.
A meet schedule for the athlete should be set up before the start of
each season and should not change dramatically from week to week.
This racing schedule is set up in conjunction with the training
schedule so both work together to help the athlete develop the
highest possible fitness and correct mental outlook to race their best
at the right time of the year. Goals should be set for each meet so
that the results can be appropriately analyzed. The scheduled meets
should be ranked 1-3 (1 being most important and 3 being least).
#1’s are the championship or qualifying races where nothing is held
back and the race strategy is known well in advance. Easy weeks
(see Recovery below) precede these and the athlete should be at a
very high level of fitness and race readiness entering these events.
#3’s are early season, low key events that are used primarily to
increase fitness and more importantly, work on various race tactics.
You cannot expect to race the “plan” at the top meets of the year if
this “plan” isn’t tried out repeatedly. The #2 and #3 ranked meets
allow the athlete a great chance to work on various tactics within an
environment that has much less at stake. These meets also offer the
athlete a chance to race off distances which is great in helping to
determine if the program is developing all aspects of fitness. #3’s are
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 39

a good time to let the athlete race the 400 to test leg speed or the
3k/5k to test aerobic capacity. #2’s are usually higher level, early
season 1500 or 800 races where we would like to begin establishing
solid racing patterns that we want the athlete to execute without
thinking during the top meets of the year. Each race should have a
goal attached to it so the athlete understands what is expected and an
assessment can be conducted afterwards to determine if the athlete
was successful in achieving the preset goal for that particular meet.
Too many athletes do not have a plan or goal attached to each race,
they just want to run “good” or “fast.” Well what does that mean?
Have a clear goal for what should be accomplished at each meet
throughout the season.
Being a competitive runner implies that you sincerely want to race
and challenge yourself. This is the one area that is paramount in
helping athletes improve. Unfortunately, it’s often the least focused
upon aspect of most athlete’s careers. Many post collegiate runners
worry constantly about training programs. In fact they study
training programs for weeks, months, even years on end. They can
tell you the difference in Lydiard, Cerutty, Igloi and most anyone
else, but in the area of racing, the one area that will pay the biggest
dividend in their careers, they know agonizingly little. Ask them
about Coe and they’ll give you a dissertation. Ask them about a
race plan or a strategy based on their individual strengths and all
they’ll give you a blank stare. This whole manual is supposed to be
giving you the fitness to do one thing, race! The whole reason we do
all this training is to beat people we shouldn’t beat and win races we
shouldn’t win. There are a few things to address when deciding
which race strategy will potentially work for you:
Do you have a short, fast finish?
Do you lack the ability to produce a short, fast finish but are very
proficient at a longer 300-400m type finish? How about a 500-600
finish?
Do you lack both types and instead need to drop people early in the
race?
40
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents?
These are just a few items to think about, but you should have a
good idea which type of finish works best for you so you can go
about setting up a strategy that will maximize your strengths and
minimize your weaknesses. After this is decided upon it’s time to
start looking at tapes, learn what others have done before and what
might work for you. Use the #2 and #3 ranked meets to try leading,
try following, go out slow and finish the last 800 fast, go out fast and
hang on, run for the tape from 500-600 out, take the lead and slow
the pace, whatever you think will work for you, try it. Experiment
and don’t be afraid to try something new. Take a chance, push the
limits, experiment with a few ideas and record the results. Over time
the best race plan for you will emerge. The worst thing to do is let
others dictate the race your entire career. Make a plan and try to
execute it. No one is successful the first time out so expect some
failures along the way. Remember, you cannot learn what you’re
capable of by avoiding the opportunity to race nor will you race
your best by continuing to let everyone else dictate what happens in
a race. Take a chance, what do you have to loose? Plan your race,
race your plan.

Recovery Days/Weeks:
Regularly scheduled recovery days are planned every week to allow
for regeneration of muscles, tendons and the neuromuscular systems
as well as serving as a mental break. Improvement will not occur
without taking 1-2 recovery days per week. Recovery is also called
active rest and is the one day of training that those who over-train
and under-perform consistently forget. 20-45 minutes slow and very
easy is all that’s needed. Remember, rest is not a 4 letter word, it’s a
vital part of the training process that is usually passed over by many
runners. When the day calls for a recovery day, the goal is to rest,
flush the toxins out of the system and mentally freshen up a bit.
Don't be afraid to take days off! I know your HS coach said to never
miss a day and your college coach said never miss a day, but I'm here
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 41

to tell you that taking a full day off may be a much better idea than
trying to sneak extra work in that’ll do more harm than good. If you
are just mentally and physically dragging, trust the little man inside
you and occasionally take a day off. No need to be a hero every day.
An easier recovery week should be scheduled approximately every
4th week with the goal being to have the athlete exit the week feeling
fresher and healthier than they entered it. In most cases the volume
of miles for the week as well as the volume of reps performed in each
individual workout is cut by 15-20% over the previous 3 week’s
levels (i.e.. 16 mile long runs should be cut to 12-13 miles, 8 reps
should be cut to 6). In some cases, we want the athlete to be very
fresh for an upcoming race, so we will also cut back on the number of
harder workout days preceding the race to allow more recovery days
between harder efforts (1 harder workout for the week versus 2).
Studies indicate the greatest gains in fitness are made within the first
21-28 days of being exposed to a new stress or stimulus. This
coincides with the 3 weeks at a particular level of work followed by
one week of recovery. We would then raise the workload the
following 3 week period after adaptation has occurred. Ideally, an
athlete should end the easy week with a meet, time trial or a Kosmin
Test (http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/kosmin.htm) to help
determine fitness and establish future workout paces. Scheduling a
meet following an easy week is generally very productive because
the athlete is rested and mentally fresh which is the ideal time to race
effectively. Scheduling races in this manner also limits the “I was
training through this race” excuse that many athletes use when they
race poorly. We want athletes to take personal responsibility for
how they race, easy week help accomplish this by removing excuses
for performing poorly.

Other Helpful Hints:
Make your hard days hard: In the same manner that we want
recovery days to be easy, we ideally would like the harder workout
days to be hard. These are the days to do your AM runs, longer
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

warm-ups, longer cool-downs, maybe sneak in extra strides, do the
weights, etc. It is counter productive to attempt to make every day
add up 12 miles if you want to be a top level miler. It is much more
effective to have one training day be an easy 4 miles and the next one
be a double day of 40 minutes in the AM and an evening workout
that includes a 30 minutes warm up, 8 x 100 strides, 6 x 1600 at 10k
pace and a 20 minute cool-down for a total of 14 miles in the
afternoon and a total of 20 for the day. This would result in the same
two day average of 12 miles, but it would result in a much tougher
program while providing the necessary recovery needed to handle
these difficult training days.
AM/Lunch runs: There are a few misconceptions about double
days. Many feel they help by adding a few miles to the program.
They do add a few more miles to the weekly bottom line totals, but
this really is not the reason we ask 1500 runners to do them. The
real reason we have athletes do them is for several other more
important factors. First, establishing a pattern of double days is a
tell tale sign of commitment. Doing double days reinforces the idea
that the athlete is serious about their training. There is little fun in
getting out of bed to run 30 minutes at 6:00 AM in the dark before
work, but it does pay off in the mental focus an athlete develops.
The second and more important reason we have 1500 runners do
AM runs particularly before any harder afternoon workouts such as
track work or tempo runs is because of an interesting study
conducted in Italy a number of years back. It showed that the
human body produces elevated levels of human growth hormone
(HG) in the bloodstream during the 4-6 hours following a run of 3040 minutes. It is theorized that an AM or lunch runs doesn’t
necessarily loosen you up for the afternoon run as much inject the
body with naturally occurring hormones that allow the afternoon
workout to be performed with less effort. This is the reason that
most top 1500 runners will run an easy 20-40 minutes without fail a
few hours before a big meet. They know this easy run will make
them feel better for a hard effort performed a few hours later.
Developing runners tend to sit in their hotel rooms before their races
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 43

because they feel they need the rest. The earlier runs increase blood
flow, loosen you up and provide some added solitary minutes to
become mentally focused. They are a very good habit to get into.
Avoid Raising Mileage and Intensity Simultaneously: One of the
biggest mistakes young runners make is they attempt running new
weekly mileage PR’s while also trying to maintain their 2-3 times
weekly track sessions. They usually crash and burn and later
complain that anything over 40 miles a week results in injuries. Not
true. Trying to raise your weekly mileage while at the same time
trying to increase your intensity causes injuries. Don’t make this
mistake. Stress of any sort needs to be incorporated slowly enough
so that the body can adapt without breaking (chronic stress vs. acute
stress). Increased mileage and increased intensity are two different
stresses that need to be adapted to individually. Increasing both at
the same time is to be avoided. Start first with the raising the mileage
by spending the summer and early fall months adapting to your new
mileage goals before pushing the limits on the effort of the regularly
scheduled workouts. The scheduled workouts accommodate this
added stress of increased weekly mileage by starting out at a very
manageable intensity level. Follow these guidelines as they are
outlined and resist the urge to hammer the first few workouts.
Spend the summer and fall getting your legs underneath you before
upping the anty on the scheduled workouts. Once you’ve adapted
to the mileage, then it will be time to increase the intensity with
which you run these miles. Ideally during the “True Base” phase
from 1/1 through the end of February the athlete will be fully ready
to hammer some miles they way they are supposed to be run. Until
then, adapt to the easy mileage first and be patient before hammering
the scheduled workouts.
As the athlete matures it becomes less stressful to resume higher
mileage weeks. It’s just one of the added benefits of long term
training that once you have successfully attained a fitness level,
resuming that same level of training is easier and less stressful than it
was to initially attain that level in the first place. Therefore a more
44
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

experienced athlete can get back up to a higher weekly volume of
mileage sooner, they can also get back on the harder workouts sooner
than an athlete with less training background.
Warm-up Routines: One of the least utilized periods of an athlete’s
limited training day is the time spent warming-up. In most cases, it
looks like something like this:
10-15 min easy. 4 half-hearted strides. BS a bit. Run the workout.
The summer and fall are the time of the year that our goal is to have
elevated mileage levels. A warm-up routine that provides a thorough
warm-up as well as enough strides at various paces to ensure the
athlete is prepared to run any pace scheduled that particular
afternoon should be the goal. Here is the warm-up routine we follow
from 8/1-3/1. We stole this from the great Portuguese 1500 runners:
25-30 min easy-moderate. 6 x strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800
effort).
When athletes first try this, they usually complain because they are
not prepared for the volume of running required in the Portuguese
warm up. The overall volume of this particular warm-up is
necessary for another important reason. In the pre-comp phase of
training from 3/1-5/1, we incorporate a pretty intensive warm-up
routine that literally takes 40-45 minutes. If a 30-40 minute warm
up is not adapted to in the previous 8 months of fall and winter, then
the athlete risks falling into the valley of fatigue from over-training
through an overly ambitious warm-up routine that is much too
difficult for that athlete given the level of track work that follows.
Here are the warm-up routines we incorporate for the pre-comp
1500 specific training phase of 3/1-5/1. As you can see, both add up
to a lot minutes:
Warm up A: For all out speed, 400. 800 or 1500 paced workouts
•

20 min progressive run (10 min easy, 5 at AE, 5 at tempo)

•

1200-1600 of stride the straight/jog turn

•

1 x 150-200 at 1500 pace

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 45

•

1 x 150-200 at 800 pace

•

1 x 150 acceleration (1500/800/400)

•

1 x 150 Sprint/Float/Sprint (400/800/400)

•

5-10 minutes, then proceed with scheduled workout.

Warm Up B: For 5k, 10k or tempo workouts
•

25-30 min easy

•

4 x 80-100 light strides

•

6-8 x 120 diagonal accelerations (1500/800/400) on grass
field, walk across recovery

•

5-10 minutes then proceed with workouts.

Setting Weekly Mileage Goals: Weekly mileage really should be
viewed as a byproduct of the work performed during the week
versus a goal in and of itself. Set up the schedule based on the
individual components and the weekly mileage will take care of itself.
Still, many runners get nervous because they have been taught their
whole careers to chart their weekly mileage. Based on the workloads
prescribed by this program, it should become apparent that the
minimum weekly mileage for the competitive miler following the
outlines written here are:
65-70 for females
75-80 for males
This isn’t written in stone, but if you take the standard suggested
training week below and chart is out, it will result in the weekly
figures listed above.
Here’s an example from the suggested fall schedule:
Sun:

Long run, easy (20-25%
weekly mileage)

Sunday total: 13
miles.

Mon:

AM: 20-40 min easy
(optional)

Mon total: 3 miles
AM, 9 miles in

46
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

Tues:

PM: AE run followed by
form runs at speed.

PM

AM: 20-40 min easy

Tues total: 3 miles
AM, 9 miles in
PM

PM: Workout: faster than
5k pace (hill reps, 1500 or 3k
paced)
Wed:

Mid week longer run in the
hills. 15% weekly mileage.

Wed: total: 10
miles in PM

Thur:

AM: 20-40 min easy
(optional)

Thurs total: 3
miles AM, 3 miles
in PM

PM: 20-40 min easy
recovery. Can substitute
hike, swim, bike, DNR if
fried.
Fri:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Workout: strength (5k,
10k, tempo) or Saturday
Speed day if race.

Sat:

AM: 20-40 min easy
(optional)
PM: Speed enhancement day
or race.

Fri total: 3 miles
AM, 9 miles in
PM
Sat total: 3 miles
AM, 7 miles in
PM

Absolute minimum weekly mileage without optional AM runs and
runs at the low side of the suggested range = approx 65 a week @ 7
min pace.
Each year there should be an increase in some of the workout
volumes at particular paces. Adjusting for these individual changes
and the corresponding changes in the mid and end of the week long

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 47

runs, the increase usually amounts to approximately 5-10% per year
for weekly mileage.
Perform Shorter Length Interval Work on Soft Surfaces in the fall and
winter: As much as possible, it is ideal if the athlete can perform all
200’s, 300’s and 400’s during the fall and winter months on a
measured dirt, woodchip or grass area. By having them do their
shorter reps off the track, we can have them to focus on effort and
form while keeping them on softer surfaces. These surfaces tend to
build lower leg strength as well as keep the athlete hungry for the
rubber oval.
10 Days Out: Any harder workout performed usually pays off 10
days after it is completed. What this means is that if you run a
super hard workout say Wednesday of this week, it will pay off
with greater fitness next Saturday. Before next Saturday though, the
body will need to adapt so it’s usually not a great idea to hammer a
Wednesday workout and expect super results a few days later.
Using this concept, we try to set up the training schedule such that
we have the athlete perform a harder race specific workout 10 days
before a bigger meet and then coast in the week of the meet with
lower miles and lighter workloads. For instance, if we have a big
1500 scheduled for May 10th, we would schedule a workout on May
1 that would be a tough 1500 specific workout (i.e. 3-4 x 800 at 1500
pace). If there was a big 5k on March 22th, we would schedule a hard
5k specific workout (4 x 1600 at 5k pace) on March 12th. After
these were completed, we would start dropping the miles a tad and
make sure we’re fairly well rested heading into the big race to ensure
a positive experience for the athlete.
One Primary Effort per Week: Athletes have a limited amount of
mental energy to devote to any activity. Usually you can ask them
to get “up” for one particularly hard effort per week. It helps to
schedule a single primary workout for the week so the athlete
doesn’t become overwhelmed with day after day of being hammered
in practice by over reaching type workouts. This “primary”
workout is usually a marker workout the athlete should be able to
48
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

hit, but will have to dig to get it done. The other workouts for the
week take on the feel and effort of “maintenance” workouts. These
workouts are not of the effort that the primary workout is. In a
sense, they are taken for granted. The primary effort for the week is
the tough one that makes the athlete a bit nervous. If there is a race
the coming weekend, this should serve as will the emphasis for the
week.

Suggested Training Outline
The following is the general plan we use for our 1500 runners the
entire training year. I say general because it is not set in stone, it
serves as an outline we utilize to check our progress and act as a
roadmap. There are always slight changes to be made based on any
number of personal and not so personal factors that come into play.
Still, we try to stick to 85-90% of what follows the best we can.
Summer/Fall XC (7/1-12/15):
4 weeks active recovery/easy base:

July

8 weeks aerobic endurance (90-100% MPW):
8 weeks XC race prep (80-100% MPW):

Aug & Sept

Oct & Nov

2 week taper: Fall XC Nats (80%, 60% MPW):

Early Dec.

Active Recovery/Easy Base Phase (7/1-8/1)
Goal: Active mental and physical recovery
Week #1 (break):

Completely off, no running.

Week #2 (break):
athlete.

Run every other day. Length of runs up to

Weeks #3:
Resume daily training and steadily build mileage to an
adequate level. Emphasis is on consistency, not on pace. Efforts
should be easy and of a social nature. Experienced athletes should
reintroduce a double run of 20-40 minutes 2-5 days per week.
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 49

Lighter fartleks can be done as 30 seconds on/90 off or 1 min on/ 4
off x 6-8 within a 60 min run if the mood hits.
Week #4:
of training.

Resume regular summer/fall weekly schedule

*Athletes should aim to reach their individual mileage goals for the
fall within 4-6 weeks of starting in week #4 above. Experienced
athletes should reach 90-100% mileage levels within 2-4 weeks after
week #4 listed above.

Summer/Fall Suggested Weekly Outline:
Sun:

Long run, easy (20-25% weekly mileage)

Mon:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: AE run

Tues:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Workout: faster than 5k pace (hill reps, 1500 or
3k paced)

Wed:

Mid week longer run in the hills. 15% weekly mileage.

Thur:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: 20-40 min easy recovery. Can substitute hike,
swim, bike, DNR if fried.

Fri:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Workout: strength (5k, 10k, tempo) or replace
with speed enhancement day if Saturday race.

Sat:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: Speed enhancement day or race

50
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

Weekly Components for Summer/Fall
Phase:
Individual run guidelines:
1.

Individual runs of 20-120+ minutes per day on dirt and in
the hills as much as possible, 6-7 days per week. Unless
a recovery run, the pace for the last 25-75% of the run
can be at 70-75% of your current 5k fitness level (listed
as AE pace) but the goal of summer and fall mileage is
less on the pace as it is covering the distance. In the
winter and spring, the pace of these runs should be faster.
Being conservative in the summer and fall as you adapt to
the mileage goals is prudent. If the athlete feels good, the
pace definitely should NOT be faster than 80% of 5k
pace in XC.

2.

Long run at end of week = 20% (25% if experienced)
weekly mileage and completed as a single easy run.

3.

Double days 2-5 days per week. 20-40 min easy.

4.

Mid week runs of 15% of your weekly mileage done as a
single run through the end of the aerobic endurance phase
of the winter/spring.

5.

Weekly speed maintenance/development day is advised.

6.

1 recovery day per week. Recovery days are defined as a
day off or AM &/or PM x 20-45 minute very easy (70%
or less of 5k speed) runs w/ breaks if needed.

7.

1 recovery week approximately every 4th week or in a
week preceding a race. Cut mileage and volume of reps by
15-20%.

Other Guidelines:
•

90-100% of planned weekly mileage.

•

Goals: Safely increase aerobic endurance and add
some lighter intensity to the program.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 51

•

2 primary workouts per week.

•

Stick to established workouts volumes set during
breaks on all workouts. Ex. If 6400m of tempo work
is the goal set in the off season, then this amount
should be adhered to throughout the training year.

Workouts: XC Aerobic Endurance Phase
(8/1-10/1)
Specific workouts 8/1-9/1:
8 Tempo run once per week:
Controlled up-tempo run done
once a week. 25-30 minute easy run straight into 20-50 minutes
starting at AE (75-80%) and ending at MP. Light strides following
(i.e. 4-6 x 100m on grass barefoot w/ 100m jog or 50m walk
recovery).
9

Shorter rep workout once per week (do one every other week):
O.
2 x (4-6 x 200) at 3k effort w/ 100 jog btw each and 400
jog btw sets every other week. 25-30 min warm up, 4-6 strides
(2-3 at 3k, 2-3 at 1500), 15-20 min cool down. Stick to pre-set
volumes of work for 3k pace and run on a measured softer
surface if possible.
P.
6-9 x 300m gradual uphill slope on dirt or grass if
available, concentrating on running with great form. Jog down
recoveries. Done every other week. 25-30 min warm up, 4-6
strides (2-3 at 3k, 2-3 at 1500), 15-20 min cool down.

10 Weekly speed maintenance day: AE run (70-80%) of 25-30
minutes followed by 2400m of stride the straight/jog the turns
running the first few at 3k effort, the middle ones at 1500 effort and
the last 1-2 at 800 effort. All un-timed. Focus on good form,
turnover, push off, etc. Easy 15-20 minute cool down.
11 Optional races: A single 5k-10K road races can be done given
they are approached as tempo-type workouts (first ¾ of race
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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distance run at tempo effort, hard last mile finish if mood hits).
Should include a fairly substantial warm-up and warm-down (i.e. 2540 min).
Specific workouts 9/1-10/1
-Add doubles days if not done so previously.
A.
Tempo run or fartlek workout once per week (do one every
other week):
1. Tempo: Controlled up-tempo run done once every other
week. 25-30 minute run straight into 20-50 minutes (volume
dependent on pre-set levels for tempo work) starting at MP and
ending at tempo. Light strides following (i.e. 4-6 x 100m on grass
barefoot w/ 100m jog or 50m walk recovery). Done every other
week.
2a. Fartleks: Harder “on’s” at tempo/10k effort. Slower
“off” recoveries at AE-MP pace w/ 1:1 recovery time. Reps should
be 3 minutes in length or less with total “on” times adding to 10-20
minutes. 25-30 min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800),
15-20 min cool down. Done every other week.
2b. Cutdown miles: 4-6 x 1600 w/ 3 min recovery. Start at
MP and drop each successive rep by 5-10 seconds. I.e.. 4 min miler
would go 5:20, 5:10, 5:00, 4:50, 4:40
B.
Hills or 300’s workout once per week (do one every other
week):
1. 300’s: 2 x (3-4 x 300) at 3k effort w/ 100 jog btw each,
400 btw sets on grass or dirt. No track if at all possible! 25-30 min
warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 15-20 min cool
down. Done every other week. Stick to pre-set volumes of work for
3k pace.
2. Hill reps: 8-12 x gradual uphill slope on dirt or grass if
available, with jog down recoveries. Done as sets (form, medium) or
as progressives. 25-30 min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2
at 800), 15-20 min cool down. Done every other week.
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 53

C.
Once weekly speed maintenance day: AE run of 25-30
minutes followed by 2400m of stride the straight/jog the turn. Untimed strides starting 2 at 3k effort, 2 at 1500 effort, 2 at 800 effort
+ 4-6 x 60 accelerations (last 10m at best RELAXED top end effort)
with walk back recovery. Optional 1 x 200 at 1500 effort, un-timed
after a 5-10 minute recovery following accelerations. Focus on great
form, turnover, push-off, etc. Easy 15-20 minute cool down.
D.
Races: A single 5k-10k road or XC races can be done given it
is approached as tempo-type effort (first ¾ of race distance run at
tempo effort, hard last mile finish if mood hits). Should include a
fairly substantial warm-up and warm-down (i.e. 25-30 min).

Workouts: XC Race Preparation Phase
(10/1-12/1):
Goal: Raise level of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, plus boost
VO2max to highest levels for the Summer/Fall period.
- Race strategy takes on greater importance.
- If racing, only one additional harder effort proceeding the race of
hill reps, 400’s, 300’s, or 200’s.

Specific workouts 10/1-11/1:
A.
Fartlek/Wake Forest Drill or 10k paced reps done once per
week (do one every other week):
1. Fartlek: 10k effort “on’s” of 3-5 min in length with 1:1
recovery (5 on/5 off or 3 on/3 off), “off’s” at MP effort or Wake
Forest drill. Longer 25-30 min warm up, 15-20 min cool down.
Done every other week.
2. 10k paced work: 1k-1600 reps w/ approx 60% time
recovery run (5 min mile = 3 min rec. 3 min 1k = 2 min rec). 25-30
min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 15-20 min cool
54
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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down. Volume should stay at pre-set levels for 10k paced work.
Done every other week.
B.

5k or 3k, done once per week (do one every other week):

1. 3k paced work: 2 x (3-4 x 400) w/ 100 jog btw each, 400
jog btw sets. First set at 3k pace, second set 1-2 seconds faster. 2530 min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 15-20 min
cool down. Volume should stay at pre-set 3k levels. Every other
week and no track if possible.
2. 5k paced work: 6-8 x 800 at 5k pace wi/ 400 jog. 25-30
min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 15-20 min cool
down. Volume should stay at pre-set 3k levels. Every other week
and no track if possible.
C.
Once weekly speed maintenance/development day: AE run
of 25-30 minutes followed 1200m of stride the straights/jog the turns
(2 @ 3k pace, 2 @ 1500 pace, 2 @ 800m pace) then 3-4 x 60
RELAXED accelerations (last 10m at best RELAXED top end
speed) w/ walk back recoveries. Then 4-6 x 40 at best RELAXED
top end speed with super easy walk back recoveries + optional 1 x
300 at 1500 effort, un-timed after a 5-10 minute recovery following
accelerations. Focus on great form, turnover, pushoff, etc. Easy 1520 minute cool down.
D.
Race. 1 race every 3-4 weeks and should be approached
more seriously working on aspects of competition.
Specific Workouts 11/1-12/1:
-Easy week preceding regionals race:
A.
5k paced work: 1k’s or 1600's w/ 400 jog done Adams State
style. 25-30 min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800),
15-20 min cool down. Volume should stay at pre-set 5k workout
levels. Done every week.
Alternative: 10 days before Regionals do the following: 3200 at 5k
pace. 15 min break. 2 x 1600 hard with 3 min recoveries.
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 55

B.
3k paced or 1500 paced work, done every other week and
either should be done as the lone primary workout the week before a
meet.
3k paced work: 600-800's w/ ½ distance jog. 25-30 min warm up, 6
strides (2 at
3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 15-20 min cool down. Volume should stay
at pre-set 3k workout levels. Done once every other week and no
track if possible.
2. 1500 paced work: 300’s - 400's w/ equal time standing
rest. 25-30 min warm up, 6 strides (2 at 3k, 2 at 1500, 2 at 800), 1520 min cool down. Volume should stay at pre-set 1500 levels. Done
once every other week and no track if possible.
C.
Once weekly speed maintenance/development day: AE run
of 25-30 minutes followed 1200m of stride the straights/jog the turns
(2 @ 3k pace, 2 @ 1500 pace, 2 @ 800m pace) then 3-4 x 80
RELAXED accelerations (last 10m at best RELAXED top end
speed) w/ walk back or easy 320m jog recoveries. Then 4-6 x 30 at
best RELAXED top end speed with super easy walk back or easy
370m jog recoveries + optional 1 x 300-400 at 1500 effort, un-timed
after a 5-10 minute recovery following accelerations. Focus on great
form, turnover, pushoff, etc. Easy 15-20 minute cool down.
D.
Race. Start of championship season, so we want the athlete
to race hard.
XC Nationals Taper phase (12/1-12/14)
2 weeks
Goal: Round into final racing form. Sharper focus, mental imagery,
lower miles.
Program:
Week #1: Cut mileage to 75-80% of previous months levels
Week #2: Cut mileage to 50-60% of previous months levels
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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Suggested Workouts for Taper (12/1-12/15):
1.
5k: Lighter 5k paced workout with ½ distance jog. Ex. 1600,
1200, 800, 600, 400
2.
3k pace: 3k time trial 10 days before Nationals or 4 x 800 at
3k with 200 jog or 3200 at 5k pace, 15 min break. 1600 hard.
3.
5k: 4-6 x In/out 400's. 400 at 5k, 400 at tempo continuous
workout.
4.
1500/3k pace: Alternate 300's at 3k (floating effortlessly
image) w/ 300’s at 1500 intensity (visualize being on the starting
line, getting out, etc) or 400's in same fashion.
5.

Light, fast strides to stay loose.

6.
Suggested speed maintenance/development day during
December: AE run of 25-30 minutes followed 1200m of stride the
straights/jog the turns (2 @ 3k pace, 2 @ 1500 pace, 2 @ 800m
pace) then 3-4 x 100 RELAXED accelerations (last 10m at best
RELAXED top end speed) w/ walk back recoveries. Then 4-6 x 30
at best RELAXED top end speed with super easy walk back
recoveries + optional 1 x 300-400 at 1500 effort, un-timed after a 510 minute recovery following accelerations. Focus on great form,
turnover, pushoff, etc. Easy 15-20 minute cool down.
12/7 or 12/14: USATF Fall XC Nationals
Winter/Spring (12/15-7/1):
2 week transition (60%, 80% MPW):

Dec

8-10 weeks aerobic endurance (95-100% MPW):

Jan & Feb

8-10 weeks pre-comp (70-100% MPW):

Mar & April

8-10 weeks comp (50-80% MPW):

May & June

Transition Phase (12/15-1/1):
2 weeks:
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 57

Goal: Build mileage back up to max levels. Reestablish weekly
routine including AM runs. Long runs, mid week runs, etc. Should
be back up to early-mid fall levels by 1/1.
1/1-3/1 Weekly Outline
Sun:

Long run, easy (20-25% weekly mileage)

Mon: AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Faster than 1500 pace workout (400, 800 pace)
Tues: AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: AE run
Wed:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: 1500 specific workout

Thur: Mid week longer run in the hills. 15% weekly mileage.
Fri:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: Easy recovery run or DNR, cycle, swim, whatever

Sat:

AM: 20-40 min easy

PM: Slower than race pace strength workout (3k, 5k, 10k
tempo). Race replaces.
Weekly Components for True Base :
Individual runs of 20-120+ minutes per day on dirt and in the hills as
much as possible, 6-7 days per week. Unless a recovery run, the
pace for the last 25-75% of the run should be at 70-80% of your
current 5k fitness level (listed as AE pace). This shouldn’t be forced
and definitely NOT faster than 80%, but it should be monitored and
serve as a goal for the spring.
Long run at end of week = 20-25% weekly mileage and completed as
a single easy run. Last 2-3 miles at 70-75% 5k pace.
Double days 2-5 days per week. 20-40 min easy.
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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Mid week runs of 15% of your weekly mileage done as a single run.
70-75% (AE) effort in the latter stages of the run.
1 recovery days per week. Recovery days are defined as a day off or
1-2 x 20-45 minute very easy (65% of 5k speed or less) runs w/
breaks if needed.

Track Aerobic Endurance Phase (1/1-3/1):
True Base Phase
Goal: Finalize development of aerobic endurance while making the
transition to regular mid distance training. Continue to bring mileage
up to max levels as soon as possible.
- 8-10 weeks (95-100% weekly mileage)
- 3 workouts per week.
- Easy week every 4th week or in a week preceding a race:
Scheduled Workouts 1/1-2/1:
- Monday faster than 1500 pace workouts:
1.

Suggested speed maintenance/development day: AE run of
25-30 minutes followed 1200m of stride the straights/jog the
turns (2 @ 3k pace, 2 @ 1500 pace, 2 @ 800m pace) then 34 x 100 RELAXED accelerations (last 10m at best
RELAXED top end speed) w/ walk back recoveries. Then 46 x 30 at best RELAXED top end speed with super easy
walk back recoveries. Focus on great form, turnover,
pushoff, etc. Easy 15-20 minute cool down.

2.

800 specific day of AE run of 25-30 minutes followed 1200m
of stride the straights/jog the turns (2@ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @
800) . 150’s at 800 effort (stick with pre-set 800m workout
volumes). All with easy 250 jog recoveries. Focus on great
form, turnover, pushoff, etc. In spikes if possible. Easy 1520 minute cool down. Do this every other week.

- Wednesday 1500 workouts:
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 59

1.

25-30 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k, 1500, 800),
4 x (4-6 x 200) or 4 x (2 x 300) at 1500 effort w/ 100 jog btw
each, 400 btw sets. 15-20 min cool down. Maintain pre-set
1500 pace volumes.

2.

25-30 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k, 1500, 800).
9-12 x 300m gradual uphill concentrating on form w/ jog
down recoveries. Done as sets (form, medium, hard) once
every other week. 25-30 min warm-up, 15-20 min cooldown. Maintain pre-set 1500 pace volumes.

Saturday strength, slower than 1500 workouts:
1.

Controlled marathon type up-tempo run. 25-30 minute run
straight into 20-50 minutes starting and ending at tempo. 2-4
x 150-200’s finishes following. Done every other week.
Workout volume should stay at pre-set tempo level.

2.

25-30 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k, 1500, 800).
12-16 x 400 at 5k pace w/ 200 jog. Done every other week.
Workout volume should stay at pre-set 5k level.

3.

Races, time trails, indoor races or fitness test substitutes for
the strength workout above

- Races, Time Trials, Fitness Test
1.

Longer 10k-1/2 marathon races can be done given they are
approached as tempo-type workouts. 10k’s should include a
fairly substantial warm-up and warm-down (i.e. 25-40 min).

2.

Time Trials, race simulations, indoor meets and Kosmin tests
should be done after the easy week to test fitness.

Scheduled Workouts 2/1-3/1:
- Monday faster than 1500 pace workouts:
1.

Suggested speed maintenance/development day: AE run of
25-30 minutes followed 1200m of stride the straights/jog the
turns (2 @ 3k pace, 2 @ 1500 pace, 2 @ 800m pace) then 34 x 150 RELAXED accelerations (last 10m at best

60
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
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RELAXED top end speed) w/ walk back recoveries. Then 68 x 30 at best RELAXED top end speed with super easy
walk back recoveries or 4-6 x hard 80-120m steep hill reps.
Focus on great form, turnover, pushoff, etc. Easy 15-20
minute cool down.
2.

800 specific day of 25-30 minute warmup followed 12001600m of stride the straights/jog the turns (3k pace start,
1500 pace finish). 2 x 4 x 200 at 800 pace w/ 100 jog btw
each, 400 btw sets. In spikes if possible. Easy 15-20 minute
cool down. Do this every other week and maintain pre-set
800m workout volumes

-Wednesday 1500/3k pace specific workouts:
1.

3-4 x (2 x 300) at 1500 effort w/ 100 jog btw each, 400 btw
sets  3 x (4-6 x 400) w/ 200 jog btw each and 400 jog
btw sets. 25-30 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k,
1500, 800), 15-20 min cool down. Maintain pre-set 1500
pace volumes.

2.

8-12 x 400 at 3k w/ 200 jog every other week. 25-30 minutes
followed by 4-6 light strides (3k, 1500, 800), 15-20 min cooldown. Maintain pre-set 3k workout volumes.

-Saturday strength, slower than 1500 paced specific workouts:
1.

4-6 miles at tempo w/ 2-4 x 400 at 10k bookend (2-4 x 400 at
10k, tempo, 2-4 x 400 at 10k). 2-4 x 150-200’s finishes
following. 25-30 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k,
1500, 800) warmup, 15-20 min warm down Done every
other week. Workout volume should stay at pre-set tempo
level.

2.

6-8 x 800 at 5k pace w/ 200 jog. 3-4 x 150-200 finishes. 2530 minutes followed by 4-6 light strides (3k, 1500, 800),
warmup. 15-20 min warmdown. Done every other week.
Workout volume should stay at pre-set 5k level.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 61

3.

Race simulations, low key indoor meet or Kosmin test
following easy week.

Track Pre-Comp Phase 3/1-5/1: Finally
time to become a miler!
8-10 weeks (80-100% weekly mileage)
•

Should take an easier week preceding all 1 or 2 ranked meets.

•

Same basic weekly outline as above. Exception is on easy
weeks, where there should be an acceleration type day
Monday and a lighter 800/1500 workout preceding the race.

•

Workouts rotate around primary race distance. Workout
paces will include a weekly workout at primary race pace,
then another at 1 or 2 speeds faster and another at 1-2 speeds
slower (i.e. in week #1, 1 workout at 800 pace, the next at
1500 pace, the next at 3k pace. Then in week #2 it would go
at all-out speed, the next at 1500, the next at LT pace. Week
#3 would start the whole rotation over again.

•

Long runs should be maintained at 80-100% volumes.

•

Very important to maintain the paces of all non-recovery
runs at 70-75% of 5k pace. Very easy to loose aerobic
fitness in this stage, which is why we have progressive
warm-ups as a consistent element.

•

If racing, work on tactics. Should get in 1-2 meets per month.
400 on a double is advised to determine current 400 pace.

Add new warm-up routine:
To maintain the previously developed components of AE, tempo,
3k, 1500, 800 and 400 speeds, we want to incorporate these speeds
consistently within the warm-up routines to maintain these systems
while we focus more attention to 800 and 1500 specific workouts.
These should be maintained throughout this 8-10 weeks of training
62
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

to help bring fitness levels to their highest for the season before the
competitive season.
Warm up A: For all out speed, 400. 800 or 1500 paced workouts
•

20 min progressive run (10 min easy, 5 at AE, 5 at tempo)

•

1200-1600 of stride the straight/jog turn

•

1 x 150-200 at 1500 pace

•

1 x 150-200 at 800 pace

•

1 x 150 acceleration (1500/800/400)

•

1 x 150 Sprint/Float/Sprint (400/800/400)

•

5-10 minutes, then proceed with scheduled workout.

Warm Up B: For 5k, 10k or tempo workouts
•

25-30 min easy

•

4 x 80-100 light strides

•

6-8 x 120 diagonal accelerations (1500/800/400) on grass
field, walk across recovery

•

5-10 minutes then proceed with workouts.

3/1-5/1 Weekly Outline
Sun:

Long run, easy (20% weekly mileage)

Mon:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Slower than race pace strength workout (3k, 5k,
10k tempo).

Tues:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: AE run

Wed:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: 1500 specific workout or change of pace
workout if meet follows later in the week.

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 63

Thurs:

AM: 20-40 easy (optional)
PM: 30-60 AE run

Fri:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: Easy recovery run or pre-meet day

Sat:

AM: 20-40 min easy
PM: Faster than 1500 pace workout (all-out, 400,
800 pace). Race replaces.

Specific Workouts 3/1-5/1:
Note: Each workout listed per workout pace should be
completed in order, meaning do not try the 800’s at 1500 pace before
successfully completing the 400’s at 1500 pace with equal standing
rest, then the 600’s at 1500 pace. Also, maintain pre-set workout
volume at each pace and maintain appropriate recovery rates
between reps to ensure you do not overdo things. It’s very easy to
train beyond your abilities at this stage of training. The result is
falling into the valley of fatigue which usually means you aren’t
injured, you just cannot finish a workout to save your life and racing
isn’t even an option because you physically cannot run very fast.
The only recourse is down time which is not ideal at this point in the
season.
Also please note: it’s very important to reference comparison charts
to ensure workouts are being performed at the correct pace. Don’t
race the workouts, race the races!
- All Out Speed (Warmup A):
•

350, 300, 250, 200 or 300, 250, 200, 150 at best effort with
400 walk recovery

•

8-10 x 100 accelerations. (800/400/best effort) w/ 300
walk/jog

•

4-6 x 200 at best effort w/ 4 min rec.

64
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

•

3-4 x 300 at best effort w/ 6 min rec.

•

2-3 x 400 at best effort w/ 8 min rec.

- 800 (Warm up A):
•

5-6 x 300 at 800 pace w/ 3 minutes

•

3-4 x 400 at 800 pace w/ 4 minutes

•

500/60 sec/300. 5-6 min 400/60 sec/400 all at 800 pace.

•

Finish 800 pace workouts with fly-ins following a 5-10 min
break such as 4 x 60 fly-ins with full recovery

- 1500 (Warm up A)::
•

4 x 2 x 400 at 1500 pace. 100 jog btw each, 5 min btw sets

•

6-8 x 400 at 1500 pace w/ equal time standing recovery

•

4-5 x 600 at 1500 pace w/ 2x time recovery

•

3-4 x 800 at 1500 pace w/ 2x time recovery

- 3k (Warm up B)::
•

30/40’s, 32/42’s, 35/45’s. 8-12 x 200 at 1500/200 at 10
seconds slower continuously run without recovery. Goal is
to go as long past 8 laps as possible.

•

5-7 x 600 at 3k pace w/ 300 jog

•

4-6 x 800 at 3k w/ 400 jog

•

3-5 x 1k @ 3k w/ 400 jog.

- 5K (Warm up B)::
•

5-6 x 1k w/ 400 jog

•

5-6 x 1k (800 at 5k, 200 at 3k) w/ 400 jog

•

3-4 x 1600 at 5k w/ 400 jog

•

3-4 x 1600 (laps alternating at 2 seconds faster, then 2
seconds slower than 5k pace, i.e. 65/70/65/70 for 4 flat miler)

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 65

•

Should finish all 5k paced workouts w/ 3-4 x 150-200
finishes.

- Tempo/10k (Warm up B):
•

3 miles at tempo, 1 mile at MP, 1 mile at 10k-5k

•

2 x 400-800 at 5k, 3-5 miles at tempo, 2 x 400-800 at tempo.
All with 200-400 jogs.

•

4 x 4 x 400 (first 3 at 10k, last at 5k). 100 jog btw each, 200
btw sets.

- Change of Pace (Warm up A):
•

3 x 3 x 300. 100 jog btw each, 5 min btw sets. First set at
3k, second set at 1500, last set at better than 1500.

•

200-300 acceleration: 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300. 200 at
1500 pace. Add 1.5-2 seconds each successive rep. 300
should be at 400 race pace or close to it. Jog back recoveries.

•

600 at 1500 pace, 100 jog, 300’s at 800 pace or better. 2-4
reps w/ 5 min btw sets.

•

100-200 acceleration: 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200. Start at
800 pace and end at best effort. Easy walk/jog back recovery

Races: 1-2 meets per month should be scheduled during this time.
#3 ranked meets should focus on doubling with one or two events
above and below the 1500 distance (i.e. 800, 400 double or a single
3k or 5k). 1500’s can be run during a #3 ranked meet, but the race
strategy should be an experimental one. One or two #2 ranked meets
should be scheduled as well focusing on the 1500 distance. Easy
weeks should precede these meets .

Comp Phase (5/1-7/1)
8 weeks
-Mileage at 40-80% of max mileage.
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Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

-Lower volume, high intensity, rotation of workouts around primary
distance.
-Racing 1-3 times weekly.
-Travel and DNR’s are likely.
-Being fresh takes priority! DNR’s because of travel are to be
expected.
-All workouts should be fast and relaxed, versus straining to hit
splits. Plenty of recovery should be provided between reps, volume
of work is approx race pace distance.
Sun:

Usually 75-90 minutes

Mon:

AM: 20-30 min easy (optional)

Tues:

AM: 20-30 min easy
PM: Lighter 1500 specific workout
PM: 30-45 min run finishing at AE if athlete
chooses.

Wed:

AM: 20-30 min easy (optional)
PM: 30-45 min run finishing at AE if athlete
chooses.

Thurs:

AM: 20-30 min easy
PM: Lighter 800 specific workout

Fri:

AM: 20-40 min easy (optional)
PM: Easy recovery run or DNR. Pre-meet day if
Saturday Competition

Sat:

Meets as much as possible. If no race, race
simulation or change of pace workout.

Scheduled Workouts Comp Phase 5/1-7/1:
All out:
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 67

-2-3 x 200 at best effort.
800: -4 x 200 at 800 or slightly better w/ 200 jog. Ex. For 1:48
800: 28, 27, 26, 25
-3 x 200 at 800 or slightly better + 100 at best. 200 jog btw
each
-6 x 100 at 800 or slightly better with easy walk/jog back
recovery.
1500: -4 x 400 at 1500 pace or slightly better w/ 400 easy jog
-3 x 400 at 1500 or slightly better + 200 at best effort w/ 400
easy jog btw each.
-5 x 300 w/ 3 min recovery.
Race Simulations:
•

-1200 as if the first or last 1200 of a race.

Change of Pace:
•

300-200 acceleration: 300, 280, 260, 240, 220, 200. Start the
first 300 at 1500 pace and make each successive rep slightly
faster such that the last rep is at best effort. Jog back
recovery.

•

-600 at 1500 pace, 100 jog, 300’s at 800 pace or better. 2-3
reps w/ 5 min btw sets.

•

-100-200 acceleration: 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200. Start at
800 pace and end at best effort. Easy walk/jog back recovery

Race as much as possible! All that work the previous 10 months
was to get you fit for this time of the year.

68
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

Appendix I:
The following progression I have used as a guideline for setting
appropriate workload volumes at various points within a season.

Fall Progressions:
Example
Athlete A has the following approximate workout volumes set for
each pace prior to the start of the training year:
400 pace:

800m

800 pace:

1600m

1500 pace:

2400m

3k:

3200m

5k

5000m

10k/tempo

6400m

Marathon pace

8000m

Transition Month (8/1-9/1)
Usually we ask the athlete to get on their weekly mileage, establish
their routine for the fall of AM runs, long weekend runs, mid week
longer runs, recovery days etc. Early in the week we tend to do light
hill reps focusing on form only which should result in almost
ridiculously easy speeds or 200’s at XC race effort, again, the speed
and effort is very light. Later in the week is a social tempo run,
meaning within an hour run 20-30 minutes will be at a steady state
effort, meaning controlled but faster than a normal run pace. For a
4:20 female 1500 runner, pace would be roughly 6:20-30 pace. For a
4 flat miler, 5:20-30 pace. Usually we go 20 min in week #1, 25 min
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 69

in week #2, 30 min in week #3. Pace would drop a bit each week as
well. Strides a few days per week are advised.

Month #1 (9/1-10/1):
Rep Length

Rep pace

200/300:

3k pace (2 x 8 x 200 or 3 x 4 x 300 =
3600m), hill reps (11 x 300 at 3k effort)

400:

5k pace (12 x 400 = 5000m)

800:

10k pace (8 x 800 = 6400m)

1600:

Cutdown’s starting at MP and drop
each approx 5-10 seconds.

3200:

Tempo (2 x 3200 = 6400m)

Month #2 (10/1-11/1):
Rep Length

Rep pace

200/300:

Tend not to do any, but if we did, they’d probably
look like this: 1500 pace (2 x 6 x 200 or 2 x 4 x 300
= 2400m), hill reps (8 x 300 at 1500 effort)

400:

3k pace (8 x 400 = 3200m)

800:

5k pace (6 x 800 = 4800m)

1600:

10k (4 x 1600 = 6400m)

3200:

None scheduled generally

6400+:

We tend to do Wake Forest drills at the end of this
month in place of a pure tempo run here. Same
volume of work, just more XC appropriate.

Month #3 (11/1-12/1):
Rep Length

Rep pace

70
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

200/300:

Tend not to do any, but if we did, they’d probably
look like this: 800 pace (2 x 4 x 200 = 1600m)

400:

1500 pace (6 x 400 = 1600m)

800:

3k pace (4 x 800 = 3200)

1600:

5k pace (3 x 1600 = 4800m)

3200:

1 x 3200 at 5k pace, 15 min break. 2 x 1600 hard
with 3 min recovery.

6400:

Wake Forest Drill

Once weekly turnover sessions:
Aug:

6 laps of stride the straight/jog the turns (2 laps at 3k effort,
2 laps at 1500 effort, 2 laps at 800 effort)

Sept: 6 laps of stride the straight/jog the turns (2 laps at 3k effort,
2 laps at 1500 effort, 2 laps at 800 effort). 4-6 x 60
acceleration (last 10m at best RELAXED top end speed).
Walk back recovery.
Oct:

6 x 80-100 strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800) w/ easy jog
back, 4-6 x 60 acceleration (last 10m at best RELAXED top
end speed), walk back. 4-6 x 30 at best RELAXED top end
speed, super easy walk back.

Nov:

6 x 80-100 strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800) w/ easy jog
back, 4-6 x 80 acceleration (last 10m at best RELAXED top
end speed), walk back. 4-6 x 30 at best RELAXED top end
speed, super easy walk back.

Dec:

6 x 80-100 strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800) w/ easy jog
back, 4-6 x 100 acceleration (last 10m at best RELAXED top
end speed), walk back. 4-6 x 30 at best RELAXED top end
speed, super easy walk back.

Jan:

6 x 80-100 strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800) w/ easy jog
back, 4-6 x 150 acceleration (last 10m at best RELAXED top

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 71

end speed), walk back. 4-6 x 30 at best RELAXED top end
speed, super easy walk back.
Feb:

6 x 80-100 strides (2 @ 3k, 2 @ 1500, 2 @ 800) w/ easy jog
back, 4-6 x 150 (50m accelerate/50m float/50m accelerate)
with last 10m of each 50 acceleration at best RELAXED top
end speed, walk back. 6-8 x 30 at best RELAXED top end
speed or 4-6 x 80-120m hard, faster hill reps on fairly steep
incline either with super easy walk back recoveries.

Spring Progression:
Month #1 (1/1-2/1)
Rep pace

Rep length

400 pace:

8 x 100 accelerations = 800m or 5 x 150
accelerations = 750m

800:

10 x 150 = 1500

1500 pace:

2 x 6 x 200 = 2400m

3k/5k:

12 x 400 at 5k = 4800m

Tempo:

1 x 6400 at MP = 6400m

Month #2 (2/1-3/1):
Rep pace

Rep length

400 pace:

6 x 150 accelerations (50m 1500/50m 800/ 50m
400) = 900m

800:

2 x 4 x 200 = 1600m

1500 pace:

6 x 300 = 2400m

3k/5k:

6 x 800 at 5k = 4800m

72
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner

Tempo:

1 x 6400 at tempo = 6400m

Month #3 (3/1-4/1):
Rep pace

Rep length

400 pace:

4 x 200 = 800

800 pace:

5 x 300 = 1500m

1500 pace:

6 x 400 = 2400m

3k/5k:

5 x 1000 at 5k = 5000m

Tempo:

2 x 400 at 10k, 1 x 4800m at tempo, 2 x 400 at
10k = 6400m

Month #4 (4/1-5/1):
Rep pace

Rep length

400 pace:

300, 250, 200, 150 = 900m

800 pace:

4 x 400 = 1600m

1500 pace:

4 x 600 = 2400m

3k/5k:

3 x 1600 at 5k = 4800m  5 x 600 at 3k =
3000m

Tempo:

3 miles at tempo, 1 mile at MP, 1 mile at 10k.

Month #5 (5/1-6/1):
Rep pace

Rep length

400 pace:

3 x 300 = 900m  2 x 400 = 800m

800 pace:

1 x 500/300, 1 x 400/400 = 1600m

1500 pace:

3 x 800 = 2400m

Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m Runner 73

3k/5k:

4 x 800 @ 3k = 3200m

Tempo/10k:

16 x 400 at 10k = 6400m

74
Joe Rubio’s Fundamental Training Principles for the Competitive 1500m
Runner



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