| max219 |
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Hi, I have a few questions regarding a freshman in college I coach (he's 18 years old). In high school he ran 4:35 in the 1600 and 1:59 in the 800 off of generally low mileage and a good deal of speed work (around 30 miles per week). After coming to college he raised his mileage to the 70s over the summer, and started doing more tempos/thresholds and v02 max workouts. In cross he ran a few great opening 8ks, but throughout the season slowed down from 27:40 to high 28s. The only thing that changed was doing more v02 max workouts for about 4-5 weeks before a taper. He told a week off after cross country, and then built back up to the 70s in mileage and continued with the tempos/thresholds, speed work with lots of rest, and indoor races. He ran a pr in the mile, 3k, and 5k (4:35, 9:14, and 16:06 along with a 2:02 800), only to regress to a 2:08 800 and 4:38 mile at the end of the season. Over March he did some v02 max workouts in addition to the training, and this outdoor he ran 4:32 twice in the 1500, and a disappointing 16:35 5k today in near perfect conditions. Other factors - he has lost about 10 pounds going down into the mid to high 120s (he came into the season around 135-140). I feel that he is not eating enough to accommodate his mileage and over energy needs (both in weakness and energy). He's a picky eater and doesn't eat a lot of meat/protein, or a lot in general.. It could be anything else though, and that's what I'm asking you guys. Could it be diet, fatigue, something medical, a poor adaption to v02 max training? Any help would be appreciated. |
| voiceofreason |
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Declining performance could be a lot of things, but the 3 that come to mind are cycling off peak, overtraining, or nutritional deficiencies. I would try 1-2 weeks of moderately decreased mileage with some easy cross training with cycling or swimming, and see if he can have a blood test done for anemia. Liquid multivitamin supplementation would also be beneficial, as would consulting with a nutritionist/RD (I am sure the college has them at their disposal, even if they are just faculty). Good luck. |
| jaygeta |
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i ran a PR first meet last year, then didnt till the summer. For me it was mostly that i got fitter but lost my drive...maybe all the milage is killing his desire, like track work is what i see as fun and if he cuts milage and does speed work he will probably not only get faster but enjoy it thus race with the want etc. |
| max219 |
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Thanks for the responses. I should also note that over the last 2 weeks he's also dropped the mileage slightly in hopes of feeling better. His common complaint is having "dead legs" very often. In race he says he just can't go anymore. (in the 1500 he can't seem to kick as he used to, and in the 5k today after a 10:20 2 mile he ran a string of 84s). |