Stories from EliteTrack
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Predicting the Future
EliteTrack &bull Feb 5, 2012
In Missouri our high school track and field season is going to begin in less than a month. When we get to this point in the pre-season a coach like me can't help but look to the future of this… Full Story »
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Taper Reflects Training
EliteTrack &bull Feb 4, 2012
It's irresponsible and irrelevant to isolate tapers and taper prescriptions from the training that precedes them. A taper works not because of some magical workouts, but the right unloading, while stimulating needed qualities and skills for the athlete to be at their physiological, psychological, and competitive peak. Just as there is individualization in training there too must be in the taper. 10 day or two week tapers are a popular concept, and neat tapers after a long solid macrocycle are ideal and nice to talk about. However, very rarely is training ideal and the taper and how you do it… Full Story »
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Energy System Training
EliteTrack &bull Feb 3, 2012
Despite all the fancy color-coded charts that coaches use to indicate the various energy systems it is virtually impossible to train and isolate an energy system. It is important to remember that the energy systems are intensity dependent, not time… Full Story »
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Thoughts on Recovery - Part Three
EliteTrack &bull Jan 24, 2012
The key to management of the recovery process is a sound system of monitoring training to accurately assess the stress of training. Monitoring is analogous a compass that keeps training on the correct path. It occurs on several levels, all of which are important. The simplest level is just recording the results of the workout. This is a dual responsibility - for the coach and the athlete. It is not an option, it is essential! Monitoring does not… Full Story »
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Topics:
- 400m
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Thoughts on Recovery - Part Two
EliteTrack &bull Jan 23, 2012
The global objectives of recovery/regeneration and the general strategies to address them are: 1) Restore Glycogen Levels -. The goal of recovery is Glycogen levels to at least to pre exercise levels. In order to be effective carbohydrate (CHO) should be taken within a 2-hr. window after exercise. Low Glycogen will result in fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, light headedness, sleeplessness and muscle soreness. The guidelines for replenishment of glycogen levels to… Full Story »
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Thoughts on Recovery - Part One
EliteTrack &bull Jan 22, 2012
I want to preface this series of posts with some global comments . Today recovery has taken on a life of it own, with recovery sessions planned after remedial workouts that minimally stress the athlete. There are now muti-million dollar recovery centers manned by "recovery specialists." Is all this necessary? I have my questions. Recovery must be put… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Overtraining
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Training Session Considerations
EliteTrack &bull Jan 20, 2012
Each training session should a have general theme. This general theme in turn should be supported by objectives for each component of the training session that are very specific and measurable. When planning an individual training session, ask yourself what do I most need to accomplish? How does that fit into the bigger picture? Carefully consider the time available. The key is to design the… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Repetition
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Middle Distance & Distance Running & Speed
EliteTrack &bull Jan 17, 2012
Speed First! Yes you must work on speed first and foremost. It must be part of every training cycle. I find it quite amusing when I hear a runner say that I have been working on base work, but I… Full Story »
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The Training Environment - The Forgotten Stimulus
EliteTrack &bull Jan 17, 2012
The training environment, depending on the situation, lies on both ends of the spectrum of control and influence we as coaches have on a practice session. The real art is managing the environmental factors that are both active and passively affecting what is taking place and what is being produced during the session. What can you do to maximize or create positive influence of the training environment? Conversely, what can to… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Field
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Little Things and Singular Efficiency Part 1 Split Squat and Lunge
EliteTrack &bull Jan 16, 2012
I use bilateral lifts in my programs, but this post focuses on some of what I emphasize with the execution of single leg lift variants and how, as with most training elements, the devil and adaptation is in the details. There are plenty of exercises out there. How you execute things affects the adaptation just as much as what exercise you choose. What makes a good single leg squat? What makes a good split squat? What about a lunge? Single leg RDL? What are the common technique flaws and what hints that you should start simpler or the loading is… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Repetition
