Archives for middle-distance runners

The 800 Meter Runner: Speed (Type 1)

The 800 meter run is considered the shortest endurance race in track and field.  While it is twice the length of the 400 meter dash it retains some of the physiological and psychological characteristics of that event.  Here we will consider the 800 meter runner. In profiling the 800 meters the importance of speed, speed…

Fatigue, Part 3 – The Anaerobic Glycolytic Energy System

Information presented in the first two sections on fatigue during exercise (Part 1 Fatigue-Energetics and Part 2 Fatigue-Anaerobic Alactic Energy System) pointed out the importance of beginning every discussion on energy system metabolism with basic knowledge of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its role in muscle contraction.  Humans have advanced through natural selection using three metabolic…

Gerard Mach Speed Drills

Most successful track coaches prescribe repetitive physical drills for their team members on a regular basis to facilitate the learning of an under-developed skill.  Warm-up activities are probably the most commonly done drills throughout the team, but other events, especially those in the field, have a selection of drills that are necessary for successful learning. …

The Genius of Frank Horwill

Frank Horwill was a middle-distance coach in Great Britain during the heyday of the British Milers Club, a training group that he founded.  Before there was David Rudisha and Asbel Kiprop of Kenya, there was Steve Cram, Steve Crabb, Sebastian Coe, and Steve Ovett of the British Milers Club in the 1980’s and early 1990’s…