You rarely hear of 800m runners who operate in quality-over-quantity system loving running. It seems many pretty much are finished with running as soon as their pro or college days end. Almost everything they do in training (hill sessions, repeats, tempo runs) is high-intensity and leaves them breathless like she alludes to. When you think of the fun pros might have running, a lot of it is lower-intensity easy or long days with training partners etc. I don't think Keely gets much of that under Painter/Meadows.
You rarely hear of 800m runners who operate in quality-over-quantity system loving running. It seems many pretty much are finished with running as soon as their pro or college days end. Almost everything they do in training (hill sessions, repeats, tempo runs) is high-intensity and leaves them breathless like she alludes to. When you think of the fun pros might have running, a lot of it is lower-intensity easy or long days with training partners etc. I don't think Keely gets much of that under Painter/Meadows.
Well then, find a new coach.
Why? IlThe great ones don’t have to enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy racing nor did I enjoy taking tests. I was very good at both of them, but I was glad when they were over. Speed workouts were even less enjoyable than races. And I could dig down deeper than most and make myself uncomfortable. But it is not enjoyable.
Reading the article, it seems like she likes the results, but not the process. Maybe she enjoys the feeling of finishing a training session, but that wasn't touched on so we can't really know. But I can respect liking results but not the process.
800m training is really painful. but I do kind of relish the feeling of finishing a workout that kinda killed me. its at least a little bit fun, in the sense that its rewarding to do hard things. I'd hope for her sake that she gets that same feeling cause idk if I'd go through it if I didn't enjoy it at least a little bit. however, I don't think I'd describe the last 80m of your 4th 400m rep at 800m pace as anything other than horrible and painful so its not like she's saying anything that isn't true.
800m training is really painful. but I do kind of relish the feeling of finishing a workout that kinda killed me. its at least a little bit fun, in the sense that its rewarding to do hard things. I'd hope for her sake that she gets that same feeling cause idk if I'd go through it if I didn't enjoy it at least a little bit. however, I don't think I'd describe the last 80m of your 4th 400m rep at 800m pace as anything other than horrible and painful so its not like she's saying anything that isn't true.
800 training is the only time I've truly rigged up at the end of multiple workouts. Hammering out a FAST 300 (~500 effort) at the end of a rep takes a ton of physical preparation.
You rarely hear of 800m runners who operate in quality-over-quantity system loving running. It seems many pretty much are finished with running as soon as their pro or college days end. Almost everything they do in training (hill sessions, repeats, tempo runs) is high-intensity and leaves them breathless like she alludes to. When you think of the fun pros might have running, a lot of it is lower-intensity easy or long days with training partners etc. I don't think Keely gets much of that under Painter/Meadows.
That's so interesting. The quality > quantity training is what made me fall in love with the 800. It's why I continue to race it after college. I love working hard and hate running long.
Why? IlThe great ones don’t have to enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy racing nor did I enjoy taking tests. I was very good at both of them, but I was glad when they were over. Speed workouts were even less enjoyable than races. And I could dig down deeper than most and make myself uncomfortable. But it is not enjoyable.
Why run then? I don't get it. Scholarship? Strict parents? A purely masochistic pursuit of greatness for the ego?