The 800 meter run is defined as an endurance event in track and field because the aerobic energy demand is slightly higher than the anaerobic energy demand at race pace. It is an event that draws participants both from the long sprint group as well as distance runners that possess good speed. It is not…
Archives for January 2018
Analyzing Work Sessions for the Cross Country Athlete
Cross country coaches need to be prolific note takers because not only is there much data associated with the sport, things are happening so quickly that unless a few notes are scribbled down as they occur, thoughts will be forgotten. Analyzing work sessions, or the day’s workout, gives a picture of where the runners are…
Anaerobic Speed Reserve for Distance Runners
The physiological concept of anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) is a relatively new concept to middle distance running. ASR is defined as the difference between an athlete’s absolute maximum velocity and their maximum aerobic speed (vVO2 max). The anaerobic/aerobic energy system contribution percentages for a sprint event of 400 meters or shorter is much different…
Designing Tempo and Lactate Threshold Work Sessions for the Middle Distance Athlete
Unless a runner is on a very long run or exposed to considerable ambient heat in a training session, most fatigue can be traced to the effects of acidosis, i.e. hydrogen ion+ produced deterioration of performance. Many examples of acidosis are obvious, such as watching a runner trying to complete a set of eight fast…
Utilize ‘Check Your Gauges’ Cues to Positively Influence the Cross Country Runner During the Race
Attending a cross country running meet is an exciting experience. Parents, siblings, teammates, friends, and fans are screaming and cheering nonstop as the runners go past them. Cross country meets are also a place of work for the coaches whose teams are participating. A race is a test for both athlete and coach as to…