Technique has not changed much since the days of Jesse Owens. Where changes have occurred is in knowing how much work should be done – when it should be done – under what conditions it should be done- and how to recover from it. -Coach Francis
One of the biggest struggles for me is what every coach must deal with. Not to over simplify things in Track and Field but much of what we do is how much, how hard, and when you you do it. After reviewing the good and bad from last year, the question is how to make things optimal. The utopian sweet spot of training load. Just enough to taper off, not too much to break people down. Easier said than done. I have overreached people and I have failed to get people fit enough. Nothing embarrassing but like anyone, we are trying to hit the parametric zone that is better than before and better than the competition. One variable that throws a monkey wrench to coaches programs is change. When you change once piece what is the ripple effect? With a steady inventory I plan to do the same sequence but add more volume in tempo and GPP circuits in the fall. The trick is to see if I can still ingrain the same technique demands without loosing valuable changes in conditioning and general strength. As this chart illustrates what is necessary training design wise, my hope is that Jan and other great minds share more openly what they believe so we can start helping those early in their coaching careers not repeating the same mistakes.