A properly schemed middle distance training macrocyle should be set up to be between fifteen and twenty weeks in length. For planning purposes the macrocycle is divided into two phases which are called preparation and competitive. In essence, the first half of the macrocycle focuses on preparation, while the second half focuses on competition. The…
Archives for April 2017
[Video] Teaching Bounding Drills for Triple Jump
Before actual event specific work is accomplished, a period of time is spent developing general work capacities and developing bounding skills for the triple jump. ‘Rudiment hops’ are a valued part of this process and progression. It is here where coaches have an awesome opportunity to teach the “how’s” and “why’s” of the jumping events from their…
Distance Coaching 101: Workout Planning Fundamentals
Training distance runners is similar to other rewarding endeavors in life in that it seems rather daunting to begin with, and then stays challenging throughout. The athletes themselves are in most cases strongly self-motivated, task-oriented, and inquisitive, while the training is based on scientific principles. If the coach is not a strong people-person and well-schooled…
The 3 Most Important “Fuels” For Successful Distance Running
The ability of skeletal muscle to re-synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during exercise and recovery after exercise ultimately depends on the diet of the cross country runner. Today we will focus on the 3 most important “fuels” for successful distance running. Fat and carbohydrate (CHO) provide the majority of the metabolic fuel for ATP re-synthesis, with…
Specific Preparation Period Workouts for Middle Distance
Ideally, a typical middle distance training macrocyle is set up to be between fifteen and twenty weeks in length and divided into four training periods. The difference in macrocycle time lies in the number of training sessions dedicated to the first period, or general preparation period. Once general prep is completed, the next stage is…