high school training

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Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

high school training Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:56 am

I think there are some high school (and junior high?) runners out there... I'm curious what kind of training is typical for student-athletes in cross-country and track today. Does the team typically do training runs together, or do people tend to run more on their own? What kind of weekly mileage is typical, and what kinds of workouts do you run?

run4life

Indiana
Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Posts: 9

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:46 pm

I am an 8th grader in junior high and training for track right now. During the cross-country season, I ran 30-36 miles a week. (mon thru sat) about three days a week we would do intervals, which were usually 800-1200. On the longer distance intervals, we would do 4-7 repeats at about a 6 min pace. Of course the guys would usually go a little faster. During each workout, I would run with the only other girl that was doing the same stuff and the guys. I never really ran on my own, except for once. That was right after my national JO meet. I had strep throat since the Sunday before, and had never gone to the doctor. So when it came time for race day, I ended up blowing the whole race. I ended up placing in the 200s. I was really upset the next few days, because I though it was all my fault. (still didn't know about the strep at this point) So after one day off, I decided to go run an 8 miles by myself. It was freezing cold weather and windy, so I ran it at a 7:20 pace. Later I found out that I had strep, and couldn't run for a week. Now that I am training for track, I run 25-30 miles a week, with all of my runs (except 1 or 2) at a fast pace. Normally I try to run the last two miles of all workouts at a 6:30 or below pace. I run with high school kids, so I am never on my own. I also lift 3 times a week. I am not sure these are the "typical" workouts, but those things are what my weeks consist of.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:18 pm

Wow, that sounds pretty fast, although I don't really have a good comparison for someone in junior high. You're certainly faster than most of us "old" folks, though! Have you ever raced outside of a school event? You should find a local 5K race to enter-- you'd almost certainly place well enough to win something. How many days a week are you training for track? Doing all but one or two at a hard pace sounds pretty tough. Do you not try to alternate hard days and easy days? Does your coach pretty much dictate your workout schedule, or do you get to make it up yourself?

run4life

Indiana
Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Posts: 9

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:17 pm

The last time I ran a 5k, I placed first in my age group and second over all female. I love road races, I have just not had any time lately. I still run 6 days a week, but I am not allowed to go very far milage each day. My grandpa is the coach over at the highschool I train at, and then my father is sort of my coach also. They tell me I shuldn't go more than 30 miles a week, since my body is still growing. I am also supposed to run slower (recovery) every other day. I always set out to do just that, but some how I find myself going as hard as I can by the time I am half way through the workout. I pretty much decide what I am going to run each day, but with some guidance.

mfox

South Orange, New Jersey
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 367

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:25 pm

Your father and grandfather are smart. Too much stress on a growing body isn't good. You risk damaging the growth plates in bones if you pound them too much. Be careful on those recovery days. I've always had the same problem with running too fast on my recovery days...until this past year. I really focused on keeping my pace slow and after a while I noticed a difference. I felt much stronger on my hard days. That is, I found I could sustain my workouts longer or at a stronger pace.

run4life

Indiana
Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Posts: 9

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:03 pm

Do you (or anyone else) know of any books that are written for the youth runner? I have been searching for one, but haven't had any luck. I want to educate myself even more about my running, so I do not damage any part of my body. I have been looking at articles on growth plates lately, because of the way I train. I also want to know more about the subject of nutrition. I know the basics, but I really want to read more in depth articles, etc.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:13 pm

How about this book: Training for Young Distance Runners

run4life

Indiana
Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Posts: 9

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:22 pm

Thats perfect, thank you very much!

mfox

South Orange, New Jersey
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 367

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:47 pm

Wow! Talk about service. Speaking of enhancements for the web site; have you considered having a "Library" where users could find a list of recommended reading, by topic perhaps (marathon, weight training for runners, etc.), with user reviews? A similar area for gear and gadgets might be usefull as well.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: high school training Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:38 pm

Yep, it's on "the list" of things I'll maybe hopefully get to.

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