With the arrival of summer and fall comes racing season. Marathons (half and full), triathlons, and obstacle course races (Spartan, ToughMudder, Rugged Maniac) abound, and if you’re planning to race in one of these, you need to ensure you’re race-ready. This workout focuses on race-ready cardio, using six different cardio machines, and is designed to challenge and strengthen your legs and core to keep you going even when the going gets tough. Make sure your cardio and legs are strong enough to get you to the finish line!
The Warmup
Do 5-10 minutes of easy cardio and spend a few minutes doing dynamic stretches.
The Race-Ready Cardio Workout
This workout features four one-mile moderate-paced base-building intervals with two-minute intense/speed intervals on various cardio equipment in between.
1-Mile Row (1609 m)
Set the resistance to 10. Keep knees from tucking too far under, chin up, and lower back as flat as possible.
2-Minute Jacob’s Ladder
Keep your shoulders and arms in a square-fixed position on the stationary side handles. Keep your chin up and back flat. Try to keep your hips up as much as possible. Your feet should be on the ball-of-the-foot in a straight position, trying not to supinate or pronate.
1-Mile Jog on Stair Climber
Work up to a jog or running pace. Keep your back in an upright position to activate your core muscles. Work on your foot strike being neutral on the steps.
2-Minute Ski Machine
1-Mile Expresso Virtual Bike
2-Minute Skillmill Sled Press
1-Mile Run or 1-Mile Fast Walk Holding a Sandbag
If walking, grab a sandbag or heavy medicine ball and hold it high on the chest to activate your core. Keep your back in a straight/neutral position. One-mile walk or run can be done on a treadmill or Skillmill Sled Press.
Meet Rene Sepulveda
An Elite Personal Trainer at ClubSport Pleasanton, Rene Sepulveda has a lifetime of athletic and fitness experience as a competitor, coach, and personal trainer. A two-time Olympic marathon qualifier and NCAA track & field coach, he has mentored multiple Olympians, All-Americans, and National and Master’s champions.
Rene enjoys developing peak-performance fitness programs for clients of any age and skill level ranging from beginners to seniors and young athletes to Olympians. He specializes in endurance training and speed development for long-distance runners and triathletes and is experienced in rehabbing and strengthening injured athletes.
Rene also takes special interest in those seeking to become fit enough for adventure travel. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Rene holds double master’s degrees in Public Health-Epidemiology and Health Promotion Sciences and earned a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Idaho State University. In his off hours, he enjoys snow skiing and competing in world-class master’s distance running championships.
