Any college coach succeeded revitalizing a girl who was a young phenom then slowed?

Tell her to lay off the focking donuts and fast food, and get serious about this shit

For some girls, when they go through puberty, their bodies become less suited to running. If she's at a good body weight and fitness, there's probably little you can do.

If she still loves to run, she can do it for fun and not worry about times.

Honestly, I don't know if her body has changed. Of course, that's the usual trend.

Has no one ever gotten a young girl's running career back on track?

I just find it hard to believe a healthy 18- or 19-year-old can't get in sufficient mileage and at least become a 19-minute 5K'er.

But I'm wondering if others have taken a different approach. Whether healthy doses of speed to improve leg turnover is worth a shot, even while in base-building.

You are coaching a college team, know very little about the girl's backround and don't know how to make her faster off of low mileage? Just get out of it now, you are in the wrong profession.

I have had some success with this situation. In both cases I just worked with them at the level they were at and didn’t compare anything to previous times. That way they never over trained. One went on to be an all American the other...well let’s just say she started slowing down her junior because of life style. After two year’s of clean living her Junior year imploded again. So basically coach her as you would in 23 minute girl and don’t think about what could be. Just coach what is.

Can I coach these girls? I have experience in this...

Maybe I can visit you or the school and see if I can turn things around.

Seems a reasonable approach. She's a walk-on and I guess that's appropriate.

I have four years to work on her and the chances of her getting to the 18s or 19s where she might help the team are clearly down the line.

make a hormone wrote:

You are coaching a college team, know very little about the girl's backround and don't know how to make her faster off of low mileage? Just get out of it now, you are in the wrong profession.

I've had one short conversation with her.

She'll be a walk on an a team of 25 or so women.

She's gone from high mileage as a middle schooler to low mileage in high school. And because I don't know her, I'm not about to ask her whether she has a big butt, boobs and wide ass.

My only experience with a somewhat similar girl was unsuccessful, so I was hoping I'd get a few tidbits of useful advice.

Of course, I knew an ass would pipe in, so you've checked off that demographic.

Tidbit: encourage her to take iron supplements if she's not already.

MAURICE wrote:

Tidbit: encourage her to take iron supplements if she's not already.

Yea, I was going to say "get ehr serum feritan tested.

Was that 20:35 during XC or on a track? That time may not be a legit PR.

Sounds like high mileage in middle school wasn't any worse than low mileage in high school. May as well up her miles.

If that's all you know and it's from a short conversation then really you know nothing. Wipe the slate clean. Evaluate her ability right now. Coach her based on that. Make an effort to learn about the athlete from here on out based on how she trains and races for you.

coachy coach wrote:

Honestly, I don't know if her body has changed. Of course, that's the usual trend.

Yes, that is the usual trend from 7th grade through high school.

Well, suppose a girl's body does change, as most do--is there no hope then? Or what if she is just built stockier and shorter-legged than the typical waif-like female runner? She has more weight to carry than others but no extra fat to lose really. What can be done to counteract that disadvantage?

Just run, baby.

The fact that she is going to give it a try may mean something.

Honestly, I do know many girls that slowed from 7th grade to HS and most quit from that point. So again, I would treat her like anyone else - someone with potential, because you actually have no idea how good she can get.

Oh, you're back again.

A few years ago I coached a girl left to the scrap heap.

She started out as phenom who ran mid-low 18s for 5K and low 5s for 1600 m for two years, but then hit the wall as a junior in xc, unable to complete some races and falling back in the standings a good 20-30 seconds.

Got her back on track to place top 20 at Footlocker Regionals as a senior as well as podium finishes at state at both track and xc.

Yes body weight and composition were a factor, as was training. Coaches were pushing low mileage high quality while I had her doing mid-mileage (50s - 60s) with longer reps at race pace and more tempo runs.

retired now. NCAA Division 1, did it year after year. provide a nurturing environment where the coach and teammates encourage everyone. are you a coach that can run with your runnners? do you have a younger assistant coach or grad. assist that can keep an eye out for her. have had lots of women that were h.s. stars that came in out of shape as freshmen or freshmen that were phenoms and then the distractions and pounds came and they slumped during their sophomore year. all a matter of attitude. if they are willing to put in the time and accept your coaching than they can succeed. if their attitude sucks so will their race results. if they talk commitment, but don't deliver with effort than it's not worth your effort. have you given everyone a summer training program? are they expected to come to school in shape with weekly mileage of at least 50mpw? ask of her hopes, dreams, goals and deliver your own expectations of what her role is as part of the team. it's not rocket science. have her run healthily and consistently under your supervision and she will find success again.