1. Making Middle Distance Superstars: The Science Ohio Track and Field Clinic 2016
4/26/2017

2. Scott Christensen Stillwater, Minnesota, head coach for 33 years.
1997 National High School Champions (The Harrier).
Four Stillwater alumni have broken 4:00 in the mile since 2003.
Fourteen year USATF Level 2 Lead Instructor in Endurance. Past 5 years with USTFCCCA.
USA World Cross Country Team Leader 2003 and 2008.
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3. “
“Coaching distance runners has always been my calling. It is not what I do, it is what I am.”
Joe Vigil
USA Olympic Coach

4. Outline of Ohio Middle Distance Science Presentation
Introduction to Distance Science
Scientific Principles and Theory
Introduction to Training Technique
Conclusion

5. Scientific Principles and Theory

6. Role of Science in Understanding Distance Training
To understand growth and development issues.
To select and sequence appropriate and timely workouts.
To apply the principles of exercise physiology to workout selection.
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7. Scientific Concerns in Developing Distance Runners
Energy systems
Muscular system
Psychological issues
Athletic lifestyle
Perspective
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8. Growth and Development
The training program for the young distance runner must be designed to work in concert with the natural maturation process.
Age may be the most important variable to consider when determining the appropriateness of training activities.

9. Age Appropriate Distance Training (14 and under)
Athletes (6-10 years) are taught only very basic skills
Interest awakening activities, allowed to play and have fun
Energy system fitness should not be stressed, as the body does not respond to such training at these ages.
Athletes (11-14 years) subject to a variety of activities
Taught a variety of skills.
Energy system fitness training can be introduced at this time, particularly aerobic training and limited interval work.
Team oriented activities are important due to the social nature of children at these ages.

10. Age Appropriate Distance Training (15 and over)
Athletes in late adolescence (age 15-19) are ready for more specific and demanding training, as well as higher training volumes.
Boys and girls are both developing quickly at these ages, and are capable of performing more complex activities.
More advanced anaerobic training can be done at these ages.

11. Maturation
Young distance runners mature at different rates, so it is wise to ascertain the degree of readiness of each athlete to undertake each type of training activity.
Profiling each athlete is important in preventing injuries and controlling mental fatigue seen in young distance runners who are trained at very high levels.

12. Gender
There is little difference between age appropriate training for young male and female distance runners.
The distance coach should provide equal opportunities for both genders to participate, and be sensitive to developmental differences.

13. Energy Systems in the Body
Energy molecules are necessary for contracting muscles.
Energy source is the food eaten.
Some foods provide energy more readily than others. 9 KCAL vs 4 KCAL/gram
The two main energy systems in the body differ by RATE of energy production.
or 

14. Two Energy Systems
Aerobic: with oxygen, low force, high endurance. Few fibers.
Anaerobic: without oxygen, high force, low endurance. Many fibers.

15. Combined Zone Races
All races longer than 800 meters have an aerobic and anaerobic component of energy contribution, and are called combined zone races.
Combined zone races have a comfort zone and a critical zone. The critical zone is where the race is won or lost.
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16. A Variety of Training is Necessary for Combined Zone Races
Race Distance:
% Aerobic derived energy
% Anaerobic derived energy
800 Meters
50%
1600 Meters
70%
30%
3200 Meters
87%
13%
5000 Meters
92% 8%

17. Transitioning to a Higher Dependence on Anaerobic Energy
As we have seen the faster and shorter the race (the intensity), then the greater the contribution of anaerobic energy.
The aerobic system gets “maxed out” as the intensity of the race increases to a critical point. This point is called VO2 max. It is important to train at that point often.

18. Training Index Aerobic workouts use date pace vVO2 max as the index.
Anaerobic workouts use date pace 400 meters and/or PR 400 meter times as the training index.

19. What is VO2 max?

20. VO2 max Field Tests for Coaches
Astrand protocol: 2 miles at exhaustive pace yields a time we call date pace. Divide this time in half to get per mile training pace. Date pace index value.

21. Training at Key Points of Pace
vVO2 max pace improvement occurs at % of date pace aerobic power fitness (Astrand test).
Aerobic threshold pace occurs at about 70% of VO2 max pace. The long run..
Lactate threshold pace occurs at about 85% of VO2 max pace. The tempo run.
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22. Athlete Profiling vVO2 max pace [date] vAT pace [date] vLT pace [date]
400 pace [PR]
CC pace [date]
CC pace [goal] 22

23. Understanding Distance Training Through Graphs and Charts

24. Running and Training
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25. No Running and Training

26. Endurance Training Volume
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27. Mileage Model as a an Event Marker

28. Energy Contributions at Max Effort Astrand 2003, Noakes 2004, Chapman 2004
Event
Duration
Aerobic
KCAL used
Anaerobic Glycolytic
Anaerobic Alactic
Total KCAL used
800 Meters
2 minutes
50 % 45
44 % 40
6 % 5 90
1600 Meters
4 minutes
70 %
100
28 % 42
2 % 3
145
3200 Meters
10 minutes
87 %
249
13 % 36
<1 % 1
286
5000 Meters
15 minutes
92 %
372
8 % 32
405
10,000 Meters
30 minutes
95 %
700
5 % 30
730
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29. Where is the Distance Race Anaerobic?

30. Warm-up All distance runners need a quality warm-up.
5-8 minutes of light static stretching. Do not over-stretch as it inhibits force production for the day.
18-20 minutes of dynamic jogging/range of motion drills.

31. Active and Static Stretching
30 Jumping jacks always first
10 burpees always next
Now sit down and stretch big muscles of butt and upper leg
Now hurdle stretches on both legs
Now stand and easy toe-touchers
Finish with shoulder and neck stretches

32. Active Stretching and Warm-up
80 meter jog, then go to drills spacing with 60 meter jogs
60 meters side slide, both directions
60 meters carioca, both directions
60 meters high knees
30 meters bounding
30 meters skipping
50 meters backward thrust running
60 meter sprint to end the warm-up

33. Conclusion
Design blocks of time and individual workouts that address both the aerobic and anaerobic development.
Develop a written plan based around the calendar, date pace and athlete profile.
Make sure the workout you design meets the physiological outcome desired.
Educate yourself as to what the goal of the plan is to be.
Do not be rigid. Adjust on the fly if needed.
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34. For More Endurance Information
Reference Textbook:
The Complete Guide to Track and Field Conditioning for Endurance Events.
CD/Streaming Packages:
XC Theory and Application
XC Complete Workout Program
Mid-distance Theory and Application
By Scott Christensen