Teens sessions over the summer

Hi all,

Here's an update of the schedule for Teens training during the summer. I have also included some information on what we will be doing with the Teens and why.

On 11th June it's the Junior Summer Sizzler and I would encourage ALL Teens to have a go at this, even if they do not consider themselves "endurance runners".

The great Michael Johnson (world record holder and gold medallist over 200m and 400m) used to do 20 to 40 minute Tempo runs, to build his aerobic fitness so he could manage the shorter speed sprinting sessions' volume; and I don't think any of the Teens will take over 20 minutes to run the 3km Sizzler!

Next Sessions

When we return to the Deer Park sessions on 18th June, we'll begin a 6-week mesocycle (coach's word for a short term plan!) that will take us up to we have a summer break. During that time we will try and get to some of the Chetenham & County Harriers' (C&CH) Midsummer Open meetings (MSO) which are on Wednesday evenings. Not sure which ones yet, but will let you know once we have determined which ones have suitable events for the Groups.

What the training comprises

What we are doing with the Teens depends on their athletic development stage (see ADP in previous blog, here), i.e. which groups they are in.

Giants, the endurance running Event Group, will be doing sessions that build speed, efficiency and fitness using running drills and efforts and supported by throwing activities that develop a stronger core and legs

Titans, the Explosive strength based (ie sprinting) Events group (i.e. sprinting and jumping) , will be doing sessions that develop maximum speed and acceleration combined with some speed endurance, through sprinting and jumping activities. The latter are key for acceleration and coordination, key for producing suffcient force into the ground with minimal ground contact time. Jumping also helps develop resilience of the body to the shock loadings that come from sprinting.

Vikings, the Foundation to Event Groups transition group, will be doing sessions that incorporate the relevant parts of the Giants and Titans sessions, scaled appropriately. The measured performances enable us to decide which Event Group to move the Vikings into and when.

The two Foundation groups, Seahawks and Lions, will continue to do a wider range of activities, both sprinting and endurance running, and both jumping and throwing to maintain their overall physical development as they pass through puberty. We will progress the Seahawks into Lions and Lions into Vikings, based on three criteria:

1. attendance at sessions and events

2. performances (as measured at training sessions and at events) - looking for improvement

3. capability (and mindset), e.g. can do drills reliably

Schedule for the summer:

June:

4th Deer Park, usual times, preparation session for the Junior Summer Sizzler

11th Junior Summer Sizzler in Cirencester Park at 6:30. Entries here

18th Deer Park, usual times, start of (summer) mesocycle

25th Deer Park, usual times

NB Saturday 28th June : Cirencester Parkrun @ 9am; Club 40th Anniversary in afternoon (details to follow).

July:

2nd Deer Park, usual times, or MSO in Cheltenham

9th Deer Park, usual times, or MSO in Cheltenham

16th Deer Park, usual times, or MSO in Cheltenham

23rd Deer Park, usual times, or MSO in Cheltenham

30th no session

August:

6th no session

13th no session

20th no session

27th Deer Park, usual times, start of next (Autumn) mesocycle