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
“Invictus 200 Meter Repeat Test”
For time:
Run 200 Meters @ 100% effort
Rest 6 minutes, and then…
Every 2 minutes, for as long as you can maintain pace…
Run 200 Meters @ 85% of max effort
Compare results to the week of March 15, 2021.
INSTRUCTIONS:
To run this test effectively, it’s important that you get a good warm-up and run the initial 200 meter test to the best of your ability. If you hold back on the initial portion, you will increase the volume of the training and change the intended stimulus.
Once you know your max effort, you will run 200 meter repeats every two minutes at 85+% of that time. To calculate your pace, take your max effort time and divide it by .85 to get your threshold time. If you run slower than that time for any set, your workout is over. The goal is to run as many sets as possible under your 85% threshold time.
EXAMPLE:
If your 200 Meter max effort = 30 seconds, you will need to run your 200 meter repeats in 35.3 seconds or less (30/.85 = 35.3).
Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
Three sets for times of:
Run 1600 Meters
Rest 4 minutes
Goal is to have the lowest possible total time. In order to do so, you will have to monitor your pacing to maintain some consistency over the course of the three sets. Please post all three times and your sum total time – e.g., 6:20 + 6:26 + 6:22 = 19:08.
Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold
Two sets of:
Run 2 Miles @ 100% of 5k PR Pace
Rest only as much as necessary to repeat the effort
This should be treated as a test of how well you know your body. The goal is to rest as little as possible before tackling the second set and keeping your times within 10-20 seconds of each other. Be aggressive, and don’t worry if you are too aggressive and miss the second set. I would rather have you try to surprise yourself and fall a little short than be too hesitant.
Rowing Sessions
Session 1 – VO2 Max Priority
“Rowman Holiday”
Every 3 minutes, for 36 minutes (12 sets) for max meters:
60 seconds of Rowing
Set the monitor for 60 seconds of work and 2 minutes of rest. Note meters per set and total meters rowed for all twelve sets. This is a test that we will revisit at least quarterly, so go hard and record your scores.
Compare results to week of March 15, 2021.
Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
Two sets for max distances:
60 seconds of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
2 minutes of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
3 minutes of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
4 minutes of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
3 minutes of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
2 minutes of Rowing
Rest 60 seconds
60 seconds of Rowing
Rest 3 minutes
Note distances for each interval, and then sum them for each set.
Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold
“5k Row Time Trial”
For time:
Row 5,000 Meters
This is a test! Give this your full effort and note your time as you will want to use it for future endeavors and for accurate pacing in training.
If you were following the program the week of March 1, 2021, please compare your results to then!
Cyclical & Mixed-Modal Sessions
Session 1 – VO2 Max Priority
Against a 3-minute running clock:
25/20 Calories of Assault Bike
12 Front-Racked Double Kettlebell Squats
Max Calories of Assault Bike
Rest 3 minutes and repeat for EIGHT sets.
Session 2 – Lactate Threshold
Every 4 minutes, for 40 minutes (10 sets) for times:
30/20 Calories of Assault Bike
10 Burpee Strict Pull-Ups
Adjust calories and/or reps as needed to allow for 40-60 seconds rest between sets.
Session 3 – Aerobic Threshold
“Invictus Baseline Interval Test”
Every 5 minutes, for 30 minutes (6 sets) for times:
10 Strict Pull-Ups
15 Toes to Bar
20 Push-Ups
25 Wall Ball Shots (20/14 lbs to 10′)
Please note times for each set. You will keep these times for future comparisons, with your goal to be improved consistency across the six sets, and lower total times – the sum of your six sets times.
Swimming Technique Session
Warm-Up Technique Drills
Four sets of:
50 Meter Finger-Tip Drag
Rest 20-30 seconds
Followed by…
Four sets of:
50 Meter Pull
Rest 20-30 seconds
Followed by…
Four sets of:
25 Meter Breathe Every 5 Strokes
Rest 20-30 seconds
Main Set
Two sets of:
50 Meter Pull @ 60% effort
Rest 15 seconds
Followed by…
Two sets of:
100 Meter Breathe Every 3rd Stroke @ 70%
(focus on long streamlines off the wall)
Rest 30 seconds
Followed by…
Two rounds of:
200 Meter Freestyle @ 60%
20 Push-Ups
20 Air Squats
(use the push-ups and air squats as an opportunity to feel the transition to dryland movement and back into the water)
Cool Down Technique Drills
Two sets of:
50 Meter Kick
Rest 15 seconds
Followed by…
Four sets of:
25 Meter Swim
(goal is to make the 25m in one breath, but be safe and take a breath or two if necessary)
Rest 20-30 seconds