Eastern Masters

Eastern Masters run a training program throughout the year that increases fitness and develops running ability. We do not have a fixed venue, so we are slightly different from other venues because we do not organise track and field events at an athletics club each week. Eastern Masters is supported by Athletics Victoria-accredited running coaches.

The purpose of the training sessions is to either maintain or improve fitness levels. The sessions all include an element of social running, particularly during our warm-up and cool-down. During the training session, we believe shared effort is always less painful!

We do our best to avoid the disheartening feeling of being left behind by organising various groups that run at different speeds and cater for everyone. Quicker groups start after the slower groups on out-and-back routes. We also try to keep the groups together where possible, by regrouping during the recovery period after the efforts.

 There are two sessions per week:

• Tuesdays: Speed work that includes interval training and short hill surges. This is the main session for the group, matched with the most intensity. It includes faster repetitive-type efforts with a slow jog recovery. Depending on the session, there is a gradual build-up in the number of reps and shortening recoveries, rather than increased speed. The pace is 800m – 3000m pacing, depending on the length of effort. We also include fixed length 400m, 800m or 1000m repetitions. Then there is the Mona Fartlek, created by Victoria’s own Steve Moneghetti, which is an absolute treat!
• Thursdays: Tempo – a medium effort session. Continuous steady running interspersed with quicker race pace surges.

The speed and tempo sessions change weekly to provide variety and develop running fitness. Sessions include a warm-up and cool-down with approximately 10-15 minutes of easy jogging and stretching.

We try and ensure that each ability group has an experienced member to coordinate and mentor group members. New members will be paired up with another member to provide support for the first few weeks.

Our training program is organised according to 3-month calendar quarters and each quarterly program starts with a social run, with an emphasis on coming together to have a chat and catch-up, before the next block of training begins.