Archives for Cross Country workouts

Cross Country Assessment of the Primary Physical Components

Cross Country Assessment of the Primary Physical Components To improve athletic performance in any sport requires ongoing development of the five primary physical components: speed, endurance, strength, flexibility, and coordination.  Balanced development in these five bio-motor skills is sport specific with the training emphasis on each of the five determined by the demands of the…

Cross Country Workout Themes

One of the most important chores that a cross country coach does is to set the workout themes for the many daily sessions during the season.  The workouts must be compatible with the other workouts that are sequenced around each other, and themes must be appropriate for the time in the macrocycle in which they…

A Test for Aerobic Capacity

There are many tests available for coaches to use in assessing the track and field and cross country athletes aerobic abilities on their teams.  Throws coaches commonly use the over-head backward toss of the shot, jumping coaches use the three-legged bound, and distance coaches use the Kosmin Test; all in an attempt to predict future…

Speed and Ancillary Training in the Distance Events

Perspectives. Distance run training geared toward the development of energy system efficiency, cardiovascular fitness, and buffering capabilities is the foundation of any good distance program. Yet, there are several other forms of training that are applicable to endurance training, serving a specific purpose that can enhance performance, increase the effectiveness of other forms of training,…

The Tempo Run

The tempo run is a valuable training unit component that should be found in the microcycles of both middle-distance and distance runners, including cross country athletes.  The name is derived from a musical term that refers to a recognized “rate of speed”.  The rate of speed, or tempo, used in training distance runners is the…

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