Fastest guy in our club refuses “double threshold” program. Says he “needs the rush” of harder workout. How to get compliance?

DT is not the way

listen to your drunk Alpha Star

as he drinks, remind yourself why you drink

for the rush

for the thrill

for the escapism

drink up, my friend

Depends on the nature of the club. If you're paying him, or he's on a scholarship provided by you, then you could probably insist. Otherwise, you really shouldn't say anything beyond an advisory capacity - this is a hobby, and if he wants a harder workout, that's entirely his call. Not "being a good team player" is just corporate speak for him not bending over backwards to accommodate something that he doesn't feel will benefit his fitness in what is ultimately an individual sport. He shouldn't have to run double threshold if he doesn't want to. He doesn't tell anyone else in the team how to train, I assume, and he shouldn't have to train the way they do.

You should advise him to run DT once and leave it at that. If he's your best hope for the races, then let him train as he wants and race him. It probably also implies that the DT method is not a holy grail. If the fastest guy on the team is the one guy not doing DT, then perhaps that shows a more traditional training approach is better suited to running fast for most athletes. I also don't think DT is a reasonable ask to fit into the lives of most athletes - people have jobs, kids, other commitments.

You should do what the liberals do and nag him to death until he complies. Tell him that he is a bad person and hates his team. I'm sure it will work.

Then OP and team can gasp with righteous indignation when the star runs for another team in 2028 and beats them.

If he is already the fastest guy in your club, then maybe the rest of you should consider shifting over to his workouts.

You've forced your runners to adopt a training fad you fell for, and you think he's the bad guy for wanting to stick to the training that's worked for him?

If this is a club, ie not a formal HS or college team, why do you care how he trains? Results are all that matter.

We need context here. That said, "fastest guy" should pretty much shut your mouth.

If it’s a club, even the results don’t matter all that much.

You should stop wasting time on him. I am not convinced DT is the golden ticket and fear when people there is only one way to train an athlete.

Ask a government official. They're used to inciting compliance.

I kind of get where this guy is coming from. Between seasons it was always supposed to be easy running. That's fine for a week or two but then I start to get an itch to run harder. So I guess I need that rush too.

You need to figure out a way to make it work for him. An athlete has to enjoy the training or they won't stick to it. Maybe thresholds on multiple days? Maybe double thresholds that end with something hard so that you get the DT but also something to feed his psychology? There must be a way.

He can do the same workout as usual and a 2nd one later in the day.

Total troll post.

Bingo!

I like the sound of this guy. Has some balls and likes to go hard. Sounds like you’re the problem. Get out of his way.

And he will remain your best guy if he doesn’t do DT but the rest of the team does.

If your program really works and his doesn't, then the results will get the "compliance" for you.