So what is a good book for coaching a distance program at a High School level? Just wondering what to do to get them started?
So what is a good book for coaching a distance program at a High School level? Just wondering what to do to get them started?
Three suggestions:
1. Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels. There are critics that the training patterns Daniels suggests are too easy, but they're great for HS level runners without much experience.
2. Training Young Distance Runners by Russell Pate and Larry Greene.
Both are published by Human Kinetics
3. Anything you can find by Bill Bowerman or Bill Dellinger about the Oregon system. Don't know if anything is still in print, but I bet a library search would come up with something.
I have an assistant XC coach who was a 21 minute jack-around JV runner when I coached him 12-13 years ago, but who has "discovered" running in his late 20s. I gave him a copy of the Daniels book at the end of XC season and have been pleased and somewhat amazed about how much better he understands what the sport is about in our recent conversations. Daniels makes the science pretty easy to understand for the layman.
The Greene/Pate book also is pretty easy to read and is a good book for a coach starting out.
When I began coaching many moons ago, my "bible" was a book by Bill Dellinger called "Winning Running". It's the book that had all of Prefontaine's workouts from his Olympic year in the back. That was pretty much the foundation for my coaching career, and gave me a very good start.
There are other, more advanced books such as "Run With the Best" by Benson and Ray, the Coe/Martin book, and Lydiard's writings. But these would be a challenge for a rookie to understand and apply.
Distance Training for Young Athletes by Arthur Lydiard
and if you go with Running Formula, stick them on the Marathon program.
The key to running any race of any distance is to ensure they get plenty of water and take WALK breaks. I suggest you have them walk for 2 minutes every mile. By doing this they should be fresher when running and I am convinced that all your runners should be under 13 minutes for 5k.
This approach will even work with your shorter races, for example in any hurdle event, have your Gallo-hurdlers WALK between the hurdles. This will reduce the chances of injury and the freshness they will have at the end of the race will let them cruise in for an easy victory.
As a general rule of thumb, in any race less than 800m, have them walk 5 meters for every 100 run.
See my website for more valuable tips!
I dont see how anyone can freaking incorporate walking breaks into running. I can't believe I wasted money on your book either, its trash. Complete trash.
Joe Vigil's "A Road to the Top". It is an awesome book about periodization of training. It also has some great workouts. Unlike Daniels, where you are given a plan, it gives you the information on developing your own plan based on unique runners. I actually use Daniels plan and mix in Vigils workouts. One problem is that it is out of print.
Training Young Distance Runners by Russell Pate and Larry Greene
Why? because it has my picture on the front!
for some good HS training plans/programs go to the Jesuit of Sacramento California web page and link to the track/XC page. See what some really good runners and teams did. Coach walt Lange has some great articles and links up including books.
I'm afraid that Walt tends to give one too many intervals to his kids and their long term development suffers as a result.
Coaching Cross Country Successfully by Joe Newton
Why? Because it has my son's picture on the front! And inside was well.
Joe uses an old school approach, high mileage and fairly intense. His results speak for themself.
I'm afraid that Walt tends to give one too many intervals to his kids and their long term development suffers as a result. >>
By what evidence do you make this judgement? I heard Walt Lange speak at a clinic last winter, and didn't think the intervals were all that excessive. Are you familiar with the details of the program?
greenliner, I am curious to how you feel about Joe Newton and his "philosophy" for training distance runners. From what I know about him, it seems like he wants to get the most out of his runners NOW, future dev. be damned. (I do realize that some of his runners have gone on to be fairly successful after high school.) "I?m not worried about anyone running in the Olympics in 2004 or about feeding the colleges. I?ve got these kids for four years and that?s it. I want them to achieve their potential while they?re here." - Joe NewtonIf I was a parent, I would be nervous about letting my kid run for a guy like that. I don't think that John Kellog is a distance coaching god like some do, but one thing that I am very appreciative of is the fact that this site and it's founders, JK and the Johnsons, are focused on and advocate the long term development of athletes. Is achieving one's potential in high school at the possible cost of future success responsible coaching?
greenliner wrote:
Coaching Cross Country Successfully by Joe Newton
Why? Because it has my son's picture on the front! And inside was well.
Joe uses an old school approach, high mileage and fairly intense. His results speak for themself.
for training get Lydiard's Distance Training for Young Athletes, for how to run a program and get athletes to join the team get Newton's Coaching Cross Country Successfully
in relation to their training volume
This quote by Joe has been brought up rather often. What I am sure he is saying is simply that not everyone who runs for York in HS will later go on to run in college, but while they are in HS he wishes them to have the best experience that he can offer them. Nothing more than that, and certainly not, as some have suggested, that he uses them up and spits them out before they ever have a chance to develop. The truth is, most of the kids who run in HS will not run in the Olympics, you know? So Newton tries to maximise their time in HS. This is not a bad thing. ANd Newton turns out 130 runners every year, year after year.
Many of his runners continue to run. Not all are world class- my kids were not. But they did continue to have sucess running and are now coaching at the HS level. A few go on to better things: Sage, Bakken, for example.
You could also attend a clinic instead of buying a book. You actually get to ask questions to the founder, since he is the person who presents the information, rather than simply reading a book. Here is the website for information about the Paavo clinics. There are many clinics across the country. I have attended the first year clinic and will be attending the 2nd year clinic later this month. Here is the website for information. http://www.paavoruncamps.com/
The Paavo theory is crap. Who in there right mind would want to run that much volume and intensity over and over. As far as I am concerned, don't waste your time with Paavo and concentrate on Daniel's Running Formula.
Many of Newton's runners have great potential to be successful post high school. he is a great motivator which is a huge contribution to his success. There are not many collegiate coaches who are comparitive to his coaching style and motivation tactics. It also depends on the athlete himself. How badly do they want to be successful post college? It's not neccessarly his runners physically burning out (they train rather smart), sooner or later you have to want it to motivate yourself.
That's something that people ignorant of the Paavo system say. I doubt that you've been to a clinic and learned about it. Please don't express your opinions without backing them up.
Right on, Renee. He was a huge influence on my kids and that is why both are coaching and still running.