Transforming sprinters into distance runners.The sprints are the glamour events in track and field. Every track fan has heard of Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson Michael Johnson or Mike Johnson may refer to:
The longer the race, the longer the lines at the concession stands Concession stand is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, Stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties. , and the more likely you are to find a timer timer, n radiographic timing device that functions as an automatic exposure timer and a switch to control the current to the high-tension transformer and filament transformer. The face of the timer is calibrated in seconds and fractions of seconds. in the bathroom. He knows he will be able to get back on the field long before the finish of the race! Very few runners are blessed with the kind of natural speed that will allow them to achieve their maximum level of success in the sprints. Coaches are in the best position to guide their runners to the longer races (800, 1600, or 3200) where they are more likely to compensate for their lack of speed. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I believe that coaches can help their athletes overcome their reluctance to compete in the distance races. We recommend three strategies: First, never time the intervals during the early stages of the athletes' training. Allow them to run their 400 or 600 intervals at an easy pace to develop their stamina Stamina Staying power, endurance. Mentioned in: Tai Chi and their confidence. Coaches can also teach their athletes to run with long, easy strides; keeping their shoulders, hands, and jaws relaxed, and to breathe in Verb 1. breathe in - draw in (air); "Inhale deeply"; "inhale the fresh mountain air"; "The patient has trouble inspiring"; "The lung cancer patient cannot inspire air very well" inhale, inspire an even rhythm. Coaches who are able to run along with their athletes can inspire confidence, offer suggestions about pace and race strategies, and how to conserve energy and make surges at the right times. Second, coaches should emphasize the "big picture" to their athletes, stressing that their ultimate goal should be to achieve their greatest level of success in whichever race best suits their talents. One of our top runners two years ago, was frustrated frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: by his 200 and 400 times, even though he won those events in most of our dual and tri meets. His goal, however, was to break the school 400 record. As coaches, we recognized that he simply didn't possess the necessary speed to run under 51 seconds. "Not everyone is blessed with sprinters' speed," we told him. "But with your good speed along with your desire, why not try the 800?" Three meets later he had his school record ... in the 800. He had learned an important life lesson through his experience about reevaluating personal goals in order to achieve success. Third, coaches must be understanding and patient with athletes who give up the sprints to run middle and long distances. Or runners who fear races longer than 200 meters, believing that the discomfort Discomfort may refer to pain, an unpleasant sensation, or to suffering, an unpleasant feeling or emotion. associated with finishing shorter races would be magnified beyond their capabilities. Coaches should offer their runners the techniques and strategies needed for the distance events, while encouraging them to reevaluate their goals in order to maximize their greatest chance of success. In the end, the level of success achieved may surprise both coaches and athletes. By Robert Wilson Robert Wilson may refer to:
1 City (1990 pop. 33,830), Lee co., E Ala.; inc. 1839. The city's economy centers around Auburn Univ.; there is some manufacturing. 2 City (1990 pop. 24,309), seat of Androscoggin co. , IN |
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