September 20-26, 2021 – Invictus Engine

Welcome to Invictus Engine!

– You’ll see below that the format of our program provides you with 10 different training options categorized by modality and energy system and puts the power in your hands to structure your training schedule around your priorities. For example, a three-day/week training schedule might look like this:

• Monday – Running Session – VO2 Max Priority
• Wednesday – Rowing Session – Lactate Threshold Priority
• Saturday – Running Session – Aerobic Threshold Priority

Or if you want to train just 3x/week but really focus on an energy system instead of a modality, you may choose to do just the VO2 Max, Lactate or Aerobic Threshold sessions – one each from the running, rowing and mixed-modal options.

Alternatively, if you would like to train 6 days/week, your training schedule might look something like this:

• Monday – Running Session – VO2 Max Priority
• Tuesday – Mixed-Modal Session – Aerobic Threshold Priority
• Wednesday – Rowing Session – Lactate Threshold Priority
• Thursday – Swimming Technique Session
• Friday – Mixed-Modal Session – VO2 Max Priority
• Saturday – Running Session – Aerobic Threshold Priority

The power to choose is yours, but your coaches are here to help! Please let us know how we can best guide you in the comments, and via the private Facebook page – which is titled “Invictus Engine.” Please also continue to post workout results to comments, simply noting the sessions as “VO2 Max Running Session” or “Lactate Threshold Mixed-Modal Session” followed by your results (times or distances). We look forward to following your progress and helping you get the most benefit from this program!

Running Sessions
Session 1 – VO2 Max Priority
Ten sets for max distances:
60 seconds of Running @ 100% effort
Rest 90 seconds

This will take you 25 minutes – 10 minutes of total work – go hard when it’s time to work, and walk/jog easy during your rest periods. Last week you ran for 45 seconds…try to maintain that pace for an extra 15 seconds.

Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
Every 8 minutes, for 32 minutes (4 sets) for distances of:
5 Minutes of Running @ 1-Mile PR Pace
(walk or jog during the 3-minute rest period)

Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold

For time:
Run 800 Meters @ 80% of 5k PR pace
Run 800 Meters @ 85% of 5k PR pace
Run 1600 Meters @ 90% of 5k PR pace
Run 1600 Meters @ 95% of 5k PR pace
Run 800 Meters @ 85% of 5k PR pace
Run 800 Meters @ 80% of 5k PR pace

We will be re-testing your 5k run time next week. Please use this training session as an opportunity to focus on running and breathing mechanics, placing the emphasis on efficiency so that you can run a smooth and efficient new 5k PR next week.

Rowing Sessions
Session 1 – VO2 Max Priority
Every 2:30, for 30 minutes (12 sets) for max meters:
60 Seconds of Rowing @ 100% effort
90 Seconds of Rowing @ 45-55% effort – this should be full recovery pace with nasal-breathing only

Your goal is to stick to within 20 meters of your fastest and slowest sets.

Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
“I Hear Banjos”
Every 6 minutes, for 30 minutes (5 sets) for max meters:
4 Minutes of Rowing

Treat this as a test and try to accumulate as many meters as possible over the course of the 5 sets. Set the monitor for 4 minutes of rowing and 2 minutes of rest. Elite males should be aiming for 6,000 meters or more; elite females should aim for 5,250 meters or more.

Compare your results to the week of June 28, 2021.

Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold
For distance:
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 70% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 80% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 75% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 85% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 75% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 85% of 2k PR Pace
4-5 Minutes of Rowing @ 70% of 2k PR Pace

Cyclical & Mixed-Modal Sessions
Session 1 – VO2 Max Priority
Six sets for max calories of:
30 seconds of Assault Bike
Rest 60 seconds

Rest 2 minutes after the sixth interval, then repeat for a total of three sets – total session will be 31 minutes.

Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
Every 5 minutes, for 25 minutes (5 sets) for max calories:
15 Bar-Facing Burpees
15 Thrusters (115/75 lbs)
60 seconds of Assault Bike (for max calories)

Note the total time for each set including the 60 seconds of Assault Bike AND the total calories per set.

Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold
Every minute, on the minute, for 40 minutes (10 sets):
Station 1: 12-15/9-12 Calorie Row
Station 2: 12 Dumbbell Power Cleans or 6 Sandbag Cleans
Station 3: 12-15/9-12 Calorie Assault Bike
Station 4: 6 Burpee Pull-Ups

The goal is to keep moving for the entire 40 minutes with each station taking around 35-45 seconds, Station 4 should be a little faster and give you the opportunity to gather yourself before you hit the next Row. Your pace should stay the same but RPE will increase as you get deeper into the workout.

Swimming Technique Session
Warm-Up Technique Drills
One set of:
100 Meter Pull – work on smooth roll with hips lifted
Rest 20-30 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 20-30 seconds
100 Meter Breathe Every 3rd Stroke – build from 50-80% effort

Main Set
*Use a kick board for the kicking pieces, and not your times for the 100 meter kicks.

100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
100 Meter Swim @ 75% effort
Rest 15-20 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
200 Meter Swim @ 60% effort
Rest 20-30 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
100 Meter Kick
Rest 15-20 seconds
300 Meter Swim @ 50% effort

Cool Down Technique Drills
200 Meter Pull – focus on strong pull and glide