Lesson 1:
Are You Training 400m and 800m Athletes Correctly?
Dr. Derek Leininger challenges common coaching biases in 400m and 800m training, highlighting how sprint and distance coaches often default to their expertise—either overemphasizing endurance or speed. He explains why the 400m is not purely a sprint and why the 800m is not strictly a distance event, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. Coaches must adapt their training to include both anaerobic and aerobic components, ensuring athletes develop the right mix of speed and endurance to excel in these unique middle-distance races.
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Dr. Derek Leininger’s course, 400-800M Training for HS Athletes, provides an in-depth framework for coaching high school middle-distance runners, focusing on the physiological, technical, and strategic aspects of training. The course begins by breaking down the physiological demands of the 400m and 800m events, covering topics such as energy system utilization, anaerobic and aerobic development...
