Training
The Warm-Up
The Warm-Up: What should you do? Do you want the truth? I have no idea. No one really truly knows. That goes for just about anything unfortunately. There are no definitive answers; it’s not black and white. If anyone tells you that it is, be very wary. Okay, so that doesn’t help anyone out too…
Read MoreDo we need VO2max workouts?
Do we need VO2max workouts? If you’ve read anything I’ve wrote on this blog, you know I like evaluating accepted doctrine. Most of the time the tried and true accepted ideas turn out right, but every now and then you find something so ingrained in our sport that people just accept it without asking the…
Read MoreSprint Drills and Core work, Fads?
Drills and core work? A little goes a long way… A little information can be very dangerous… This is going to be one of my rants. Know that going in…You’ve been warned. I’ve noticed a fairly recent trend in the distance coaching realm that has everything to do with everybody searching for that little extra…
Read MoreSprint Training-Part 2
Sprint Training for distance runners: After going over the why’s on sprint training for distance runners, it’s time to address the practical part, how to implement it. The most important part is probably to actually teach someone how to sprint. Correcting mistakes early and establishing a good foundation on sprinting mechanics early on will save…
Read MoreSprint Training for Distance Runners
Sprint Training for Distance Runners: Part 1- Sprint Training for Distance Runners Part 2- Practical application It’s been a while since I posted a blog, so sorry about that. Training has been going pretty well now. I’ve had some hamstring problems so no real racing unfortunately. I was going to give it a go at…
Read MoreAnaerobic Training
Whether you call it anaerobic training or high intensity training or any other phrase, I’m talking about high lactic interval work. Stuff that makes you feel the burn in the legs and makes you tie up like no other. Recently, there have been some studies, on not endurance trained participants, that have shown that these…
Read MoreMoses Mosop’s Training
Below, I’m going to take a look at some recent research done and then look at how that correlates with Moses Mosop’s training (1st at Kenyan XC Champs and 11th at Worlds). Take it Easy: There is a large debate in endurance training circles about easy or “junk” mileage. Does it do anything? How much…
Read MorePart 6: Kick Development
Part 6- Kick Development- A matter of strength Endurance: In the last post, I basically described how to lower lactate at race pace. If you remember the data discussed already, the ability to finish at a quicker pace seemed to rely on two things that are tied together. A. Lactate Differential B. Muscle Fiber Recruitment…
Read MorePart 5- Putting theory into Practice
Africans vs. Western Runners: Part 5: Putting theory into practice. Over the last four blog’s I’ve tried to point out some of the differences between high level African runners and American runners. Let’s briefly look back at some of the lessons that we’ve learned. Basic Speed- Basic speed is good for Africans, but not out…
Read MorePart 4: African’s vs. Western Runners: Muscle recruitment’s role:
African’s vs. Western Runners: Part 4:Muscle recruitment’s role: Okay, so I lied slightly. Before trying to tie things up nicely and show how some of the previously mentioned findings can apply to your training, I want to mention one other topic. That is muscle recruitment. We have already looked at the finishing kick in terms…
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