5 Running Tips from U.S. Olympic Distance Runners
Follow these running tips from Olympic distance runners and coaches and learn ways to improve your training and race-day performance. Photo Source: vacationhomerentals.com
With the Summer Olympics still a recent memory, Fuel100 Electro-Bites thought it would be fun to see what we could learn from some of the best runners and coaches in the world. These running tips from American athletes and coaches can help inform your training program and race schedule as you prepare for the fall running season.
Compete. Unlike other distance teams, the U.S. team relies on competition, not committees to pick the team. This competition gives our athletes valuable practice in handling stress, pre-race routines, and race strategy. Consider adding more races to your season and look at them as opportunities to tune-up your race routine. The added race-day practice and exposure to competition will pay off in the races where you really want to perform well.
Pick a Single Reasonable Goal. A goal focuses our attention and provides the psychological incentive to train. Running coaches say to pick a single attainable goal for each season and focus all your attention and training supporting that goal. Multiple goals can be distracting and confuse training. Trying to focus on too many goals may result in accomplishing nothing by the end of the season.
Run with a Friend. Studies have shown that you push harder and endure higher levels of pain when running with a teammate or friend. Scientists believe that as social beings we are psychologically wired to work harder in a team. Running may be an individual sport, but a friend can help you go faster.
Stick to Your Race. You can’t control how others will run, or their race strategy. All you can do is run the race that is smart for you. It is easy to get caught up in the emotions of the moment and lose sight of your plan and your pace. Speeding up with the pack can sap your energy and leave you flailing across the finish line. Stick to your race and you will catch the runners that couldn’t resist the surge of the pack.
Train Smart. The body needs time to recover, particularly as you age. Don’t be afraid to adjust your workout as you get older or during times when your body is feeling worn out. While professional runners may adjust from a seven to an eight-day training cycle, distance coaches suggest that the rest of us might consider a 14-day cycle. The 14-day cycle fits easier into the traditional work week and makes it easier to coordinate long runs on the weekend. Coaches say to do five hard days during the two-week period with other days occupied with tempo runs, distance runs, and additional rest days.
Running tips from Fuel100 – Whatever your endurance sport, the all-natural fuel and electrolytes in Electro-Bites will help you perform at your best.