What is the purpose of a Tempo Run?

The purpose of a Tempo Run is to test lactate threshold, which is a critical aspect of an athlete's performance. During a tempo run, runners sustain a pace that is comfortably hard, usually at or slightly below the lactate threshold. This pace is designed to allow an athlete to run efficiently while training their body to tolerate the buildup of lactic acid, which occurs when they are working at higher intensities.

As athletes run at this threshold pace, they guide their bodies to adapt to processing lactic acid more effectively, which can enhance overall performance during races or competitions. This training is essential for distance runners who need to maintain high speeds over longer durations, as it directly influences their endurance and ability to sustain faster paces.

While recovery, speed focus, and aerobic power are important components of a comprehensive training program, they do not specifically target the lactate threshold in the same way that a tempo run does. Thus, choosing the purpose of a tempo run aligns specifically with its role in testing and improving an athlete's lactate threshold.