800m training

[Kevin Richardson]

Jpittell7, as you may have noticed by now, several of the folks on this message board are highly accomplished athletes in their own rights. You are getting advice from some terrific sources.

As for staying motivated, at your age I virtually memorized each issue of T&FN. A trip to the local library may also help you find some running books that will help keep the fires lit. When you find yourself facing a run that you are dreading, just take the advice of Marty Liquori (another fine high school runner), who said that what motivated him was knowing that on the other side of the world was some Ethiopian training to beat him. Choose your boogeyman. :wink:

Best of luck. Along with the others, I look forward to hearing how you progress.

[GeorgiaFan1]

Do NOT neglect your speed. Keep those strides up. If you run around your block for your distance training, reverse direction so that you do the turns equally. I am hoping that you are running on asphalt and not on concrete. Try to find some place with a softer surface that your parents will approve or try to find teammates from the XC team to train with.

Your math teacher/coach may be the best that your school can get. Give him or her respect and appreciate the time that he or she spends to get you into meets - it is barely minimum wage. I've seen plenty of kids straight out of college who will only be hired to teach their subject if they will agree to coach some sport.

[Zat0pek]

As for staying motivated, at your age I virtually memorized each issue of T&FN. A trip to the local library may also help you find some running books that will help keep the fires lit. When you find yourself facing a run that you are dreading, just take the advice of Marty Liquori (another fine high school runner), who said that what motivated him was knowing that on the other side of the world was some Ethiopian training to beat him. Choose your boogeyman. :wink:

Best of luck. Along with the others, I look forward to hearing how you progress.

Agree with being a good student of the sport, and I also hope you keep us posted on your progress.

[Halfmiler2]

I'd agree with much that has been said. You are looking to build a base and strength now so speed workouts would not make much sense in the off-season. I did think hill training was useful and lifting at the end of some base workouts helped my kick later on. I never amounted to much in cross country in high school but it did help me for the track season.

One thing to keep in mind: what you do may be modified by what type of halfmiler you intend to become: One who drops down to the 400 or the indoor 600, or one who goes up to the mile on occasion.

[Zat0pek]

Bump for an update. How is everything going, jpittell7?