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Guest

Nov 14, 2001 3:45 PM

Traning question

I am a senior in high school and run both cross country and track. I have a diffrent coach for each season. Now my problem is that they have compleetly oppsite ideas on how to train toward the end of the season. So here is my question. My Cross country coach belives that at the end of the season short spped work outs are needed and you decrease the rest between each sprint form that of earyler in the year. Now my track coach agrees with the shorter sprints but he belives that you increase the rest between sprints. Now I don't know witch one is right so if you could help me out with your opinion that would be great. Thank you very much.
Click to view JPMmiles's profile Amateur 38 posts since
May 30, 2001
1. Nov 14, 2001 4:11 PM in response to: Guest
quote:<HR>Originally posted by heathman:
My Cross country coach belives that at the end of the season short spped work outs are needed and you decrease the rest between each sprint form that of earyler in the year. Now my track coach agrees with the shorter sprints but he belives that you increase the rest between sprints. <HR>


Well, I am assuming that your cross-country races are 2.5 to 3.1 miles and your track specialty is the mile....
So it would make perfect sense that the training philosophies are different.
Click to view CoachB008's profile Community Moderator 777 posts since
Apr 27, 2000
2. Nov 14, 2001 7:16 PM in response to: Guest
Just to elaborate on JP's point

Longer rest allow intervals to be run at a faster pace, which will make them more anaerobic in nature. This type of training is more suited for 800-1 mile. Short rest will keep your heart rate up and, even though you are doing a speed workout, make the workout more aerobic. This is good for longer races.

Any truly effective training program for any distance utilizes a combination of many different modes of training. Talk to your coaches about why you do the things you do. Most will be glad to explain it to you. Just don't ask in a way that seems to challenge their wisdom or authority. Most coaches do not like that.
Guest
3. Nov 19, 2001 10:55 PM in response to: Guest
In response to heathman's question: When doing interval training your early season intervals such as 400's or 800's would be run with little rest in comparison to the length of the interval (ie: a 400 run would be given a rest of approx. 1 min.) making it an endurance workout.
At the end of the season when you are peeking for the big race, yes, the interval should be geared for speed. The workout should be 10x60 yds. all-out sprint.
1. You only do 10 as to not tire the runner before the big race with a full recovery rest, minimum 1 min.
2. You only need to run 6o yds. because that's about the distance it takes for the runner to exhaust the ATP in the muscle.
3. The long rest is needed to make sure the ATPs are fully recovered.
I could go into much greater detail, but at this time to keep the answer simple, early season: less rest; end of season: more rest.
Guest
4. Nov 20, 2001 8:32 PM in response to: Guest
there are many different theories on what to do. From my view and an exercise physiology, you would shorten length of repeats and INCREASE rest. You do speed up and cut length to produce lactic acid build up and then rest longer to let you body clear the lactic acid. This produces a higher lactic acid tolerance and therefore a possible peak because you can run at faster pace more efficiently. That's the theory anyway. In my experience as high school and college coach this works extremely well for most
Guest
5. Dec 9, 2001 3:24 PM in response to: Guest
I've done 3 seasons of track since 6th grade, and i'm a sophomore in college now. I'm the captain of all three seasons, and I follow a set program all throughout the season. At the very end of either cross country, indoor, or spring, you need to step your program down a few knotches or you'll end up getting hurt. You usually have two or three weeks in between each season, so it's always a good idea to slow it down a little before you stop (you should have a week's rest before preparing for the next season) completely. As for rest between sprints, i gotta agree with the coach