THE 97th ANNUAL TELY 10 MILE
ROAD RACE

I hope everyone had a great winter. Now that it is spring, it’s time to get ready for the 2025 Tely 10!!

This year is no different in that I recommend you make an appointment with your physician. Have yourself checked over to ensure you are healthy before starting this or any program. Make sure you take the time to have the right equipment for training. Your choice of sneakers will make your training feel more comfortable. There are shoes that are walking shoes. However, these tend to be all leather or made with heavy materials that don’t allow your feet to breathe. A running shoe allows air to pass through the toe box, helping your feet stay cool. What also helps with this is a good pair of socks. Make sure that you are picking a sock that is not made of cotton. These socks will hold on to moisture and not allow the foot to breathe well when you move. Natural fibres can also promote blisters and chafing, which is very uncomfortable and can make your training a little more difficult than it needs to be.

This is a 12-week schedule. Each week, the training sessions start at about 60 minutes of walking and progress up to 2 hours. This slow progression will help you prepare for the event while slowly building the required fitness.

So, I have been adding workouts to the Wednesdays for the last few years. These are optional, but a nice way to try something different in a training program. These are not complicated workouts or are meant to be really intense. The workouts will be 10 intervals of 1 min jogging segments during the prescribed walk. If you choose to do them, take whatever time you need to feel warmed up. When you decide to do the interval, just increase your pace to jog/run pace, not too fast, but quicker than a brisk walk. After 1 minute, go back to your walking pace. These little intervals will help with your strength and endurance throughout the training and the event.

There are many places to get out and walk where you are. I recommend mixing up the surfaces that you walk on. This is a great place to walk if you have a groomed trail system or good footing. There is nothing wrong with doing all your training on asphalt. Sometimes, getting out, enjoying nature, and avoiding traffic is just nice.

The NLAA has adopted a strict no-headphones or earbuds policy for all races. So please leave them at home. Enjoy the event and the people around you. The people along the route cheering you on are what makes these events wonderful.

I hope you enjoy the walk to Bannerman! Smile along the way, wave to whoever you see. There will be people out cheering you on!

Have a great spring! And I hope June comes quickly! Best of luck to you all!

Jason White
Personal Trainer

Definitions

Maximum Heart Rate (Max HR) = 220 – (Age):

This formula is used to help determine your effort level based on how fast your heart is beating. Example: 30 year old runner: 220 – (30) = 190. Therefore, 190 x (0.65) = 123 beats per minute (bpm) is where your heart rate should be.

Cross Training:

Other cardio activities that will use other muscles that will help to prevent injuries during training. Examples are swimming laps, going for a bike ride or weight training.

Rest Days:

These days play an important role in your training program. They are designed to give your body a break from training and allow you to remain healthy, prevent injuries, achieve physiological gains and help you concentrate on your overall goal.

Hilly Repeats:

These days are designed to help build your running strength in your legs. Pick a hill that isn’t too steep. Increase pace up the hill (MAX HR of 80-85% on hills). After you have completed the hill, jog to the bottom at a steady pace (65-75% of Max HR) and repeat.

Hill Workouts:

These days are designed to help build your running strength in your legs. The Hill shouldn’t too steep. But steep enough to be a challenge when you increase your pace. (MAX HR of 75-85% on hills). After you have completed the hill, jog back down to the bottom at a steady pace (65-75% of Max HR). Repeat for a number of repetitions suggested.

Speed Work:

These workouts are key to improving your running. Each workout will increase your ability to run at an increased pace for longer. (MAX HR of 80-85%).

Easy Runs:

Doesn’t require a lot of effort to maintain the pace. Conversation with a running partner is easily maintained.

Tempo Run:

This run is done at or very close to your goal race pace. (MAX HR of 75-80%).

Tapering:

This week you don’t want to do anything out of the ordinary. You have worked hard over the last 11 weeks. So, rest up your legs but keep them fresh for race day. You have worked hard over the last 11 weeks.