These workouts are the most specific, and as the exercise year progresses, the workouts can advance to distances comparable to an athlete’s peak race; moreover, significant percentages of the workouts are done at race intensity. Athletes are not able to do in a race what they have not completed in a workout (with a small number of exceptions), and long workouts prepare athletes most explicitly for top races. Not only do these workouts cultivate the rigorous physical abilities that are needed for racing, but they also aid immensely in developing ideal mental abilities. Long workouts also provide the idyllic opportunity to practice and try-out race nutrition and gear outside of a race.
