My coach had me do 200’s after completing a 6 mile tempo. What is the purpose?

I have more questions about the 6 mile tempo then the 200s. Is this like a 10 mile day for the kid? What are you training for?

Except that nobody is asking for a "debate" or "essay," are they? And this is not a stupid question. As you can see, a number of seemingly serious runners and coaches are here discussing the merits and specifics of the post-tempo 200s.

Isn't it a good thing if athletes are interested? It doesn't sound like OP is challenging the coach; it sounds as is he is a student of the sport and this is part of him being bought in.

Someone like you probably shouldn't be coaching, but just in case you are, let me help you out:

"Good question. Basically, all of this longer tempo work is great for your fitness, but in terms of form it's much slower than your race paces, right? So we just want to touch on the mechanics of running faster while relaxed, and doing it with some fatigue in your legs helps to recruit more muscles into the effort."

I have been coaching forever basically. If someone said "Hey coach why do we run those 200s after a tempo?" I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Or "What's the reasoning for this workout?" Or asking it in some nice way. To a HS athlete it's pretty easy to say "to practice running fast when you're tired".

obviously it entirely depends on the speed of your 200s, assuming they are close to strider pace/mile race pace, then there are numerous benefits. short sprints AFTER a big work out force your body to adapt to running efficiently when tired. because the sprints are so short you aren't really exhausting yourself so much that it will impact your next workout, or put too much more lactic in your legs than was already there. they teach coordination, physiological comfort with high speeds under high duress, they improve your form. after a workout is the best time to do them.

Prepare you to run fast at the end of a race when you are tired

Uhhhh...NO, not after every workout. Yes, this is a great workout and should be done every 2 weeks or so. It stresses both aerobic and anaerobic systems.

The coach should explain it to the athlete.

My "coach" makes me run 10 miles all out, 10x200, and then she kicks me in the balls as hard as she can and calls me a worthless hobby jogger. Her rates start at $500/hr.

What are you training for that you are doing 6-mile tempo runs? That seems awfully long for a high school track runner.

If you have an achilles rupture from that you are probably doing some crazy stuff in training in the days leading up to that.

I agree that is a massive tempo for most HS runners targeting the 800/mile/two-mile.

Maybe the coach assigns it as "run as you will" and the OP knows that what they end up doing is tempo effort?

Definitely sounds like this coach could explain things a bit more.

This type of variation workout has been occurring since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. For all the reasons already noted, it has good sense to it. End of race simulation, aerobic/anaerobic mixing, making a boring tempo a bit more interesting, developing greater stride efficiency and form mechanics, all of the above. I’d opt for a little shorter tempo, but it’s a workout every distance high schooler should be doing esp. early season. So chillax, trust the coach a little more, and see the upside. You want to get better, right? Speed has to be injected into workouts where it can be to get better. Given high school programs and all the racing, you gotta fit some of it in when you can. I would even have you do 10x100 instead of the 200s or short hill sprints.

Looks like you found your college major...exercise science. Congratulations!

Now go study and figure out why this might or might not be a good session, in the context of your fitness and current training block. A good start? check out the work of Inigo San Millan, and Mads Taersoel.

speed is only developed or achieved with max speed runs which are usually 20-40 meters in length max. running 200's is not speed training. also, speed is not achieved or developed on tired legs.

Watch every WC and Olympic gold medal race of Mo Farah’s career.

Those 200’s or even strides, will make you such a better runner. Always do them.

I'm with OP. my body is uncomfortable switching systems tired. I feel scared of injury. I really run the 200s conservatively and don't like it. sometimes, I can feel Achilles early in 200s and that tells me something is wrong.

Here comes another one that knows everything. Go back to training sprinters, we are talking about distance here.

Is anyone really dumb enough that stating the obvious is what they need you to say?

You probably aren’t durable enough to run long distances then.
be careful.

try 150’s. Or even 90-100m strides if you must. Different system and probably easier on you