CoachZ wrote:
I have seen a number of threads about middle school and junior high running and a number of folks essentially say don't worry about winning/just have fun/only run easy, etc. etc.
I can't understand the idea that trying to win is somehow incompatible with having fun. Trying to win is the whole fun of the sport for many athletes.
CoachZ, if you are serious about sub 11 for 2mi. you have to build up aerobic endurance. Easiest way is to build up to 5 miles easy and one hard 5 mi. effort
a week. So say 5 mi.easy is 8 min. mi. pace, then timed hard effort with goal of lowering that time each week. Do this for base period. Moving into season change 5 mi. hard effort to 3 mi.hard . Build speed in fartlek type workout. Very simple, very effective. Waste of time to do 8 x 200, 4 x 800..... type work, because most coaches don't know how much volume, how fast, how often.
for what it's worth wrote:
CoachZ, if you are serious about sub 11 for 2mi. you have to build up aerobic endurance. Easiest way is to build up to 5 miles easy and one hard 5 mi. effort
a week. So say 5 mi.easy is 8 min. mi. pace, then timed hard effort with goal of lowering that time each week. Do this for base period. Moving into season change 5 mi. hard effort to 3 mi.hard . Build speed in fartlek type workout. Very simple, very effective. Waste of time to do 8 x 200, 4 x 800..... type work, because most coaches don't know how much volume, how fast, how often.
Thanks. I know I can do the 5 mile thing (probably in 31 min now) but the kids would struggle to make 5 at all let alone at a hard effort but it's an idea to consider of doing a few minutes at a solid pace and gradually adding a minute each week.
bump for more great input
bump
i know this is 2 years old but more input would be highly appreciated!
If you can copy Mendham Magic you'll be, no pun intended, good as gold.