Competition Phase 800m Repeats

Aug 13, 2025

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Intro

Here’s a summary of Cyclical Training from StrengthRunning. Watch the full video for the rest.

Key points

Training follows a cyclical pattern: Rest, Base/Easy Training, Competition Phase, Peaking, then back to Rest.
Rest: starts after a break or race. Regain baseline fitness and routine.
Base/Easy: build aerobic mileage, include tempo and lactate-threshold runs, gradually grow the long run.
Competition: add harder sessions and tune-up races. Higher intensity across workouts.
Peaking: cut volume, race your goal distance, then cycle back to rest.
Where you go next depends on your current state. If you’ve been pushing hard, taper. If training has been easy, add intensity and schedule races.

Workout example (no specific paces; adjust to your fitness with the Pacing app):

Rest week: 2 to 3 easy runs (30 to 45 min) for recovery.
Base phase: 4 to 5 runs per week, with a long run each week (add 1 to 2 mi per week) plus a tempo session (20 to 30 min at comfortably hard).
Competition phase: a hard interval workout (e.g., 5 x 800 m at 5K pace with equal rest) and a tune-up race.
Peaking: cut mileage by 20 to 30%, hold intensity through short race-pace work, taper for 1 to 2 weeks before your goal race.

Closing note Try the cyclical approach with the Pacing app to match your paces.