back and forth all year wrote:
I would really like to talk to my coach about training, but I don't know how to go about it. He's pretty much pissed off all the time, and every time I've mentioned something to him in the past he's just gotten mad at me. Several of my teammates would like to talk to him too but have received the same results.
Anyone have any advice on talking to a coach who doesn't want to listen?
I had a somewhat similar problem when I was in college. Because I was always on the bubble of the top 7, I raced every weekend in the fall. And every year, I would get to the meet before states and tank horribly because I was exhausted from constantly having to prove myself.
By senior year I decided not to go this route any longer. First I had spent a summer in LA and was 15 pounds heavier. I knew it would take an entire season just to get into shape and I would be constantly disappointed each weekend when I turned out a slow time. Second, I always preferred track to XC.
By not running XC, I was able to train all fall how I felt I should. All of September was spent building up to that 60 mpw range. By October, I ran double sessions. I joined the sprinters every Tuesday and Thursday for plyometrics, lifting and faster 400m type training. Every Saturday I would do repeat miles. And every Sunday I would do a long run (9+ miles).
My coach did not agree with forgoing the XC season. However, having the benefit tailoring my training to middle distance races and not having to endure the mental and physical burden of racing an 8k 10 weeks in a row, I knew I was going to succeed in track.
And I did. My second race indoors I ran a huge PR in the indoor Mile and the very next weekend I shaved 2.5 seconds off of my 1k. Soon he was praising me for skipping XC.
In short, I recommend you just forget trying to get through to your coach and alter your training on your own. If his workouts are too easy, then wait til no one is looking and add on. Or push the pace a bit harder. If you aren't doing enough miles, then add on a couple of extra miles after practice is over.