I have just tracked down alot of very recent research to do wit MD events. Much
of it will not make it into books for a few years. Some of it is very useful
as it confirms that there are many things that Sprinters are using that can
be of huge benefit to MD athletes. Much of this research will be included in
a formal paper I am producing titled "Maintenance of Running Form in Middle
Distance Athletes" that will be finished in about January 2002.

I have recently had one of my MD 1500m athletes run his first race for the
season and even though he has been in heavy study and was not in strong
condition
to perform sessions like 5 x 800 rest 3min. He still ran a 3:57 with a last
400 in 59 and last 200 in 28s. This is because he now has greatly improved
his "ease of race speed" from plyometrics training and good quality tempo
training
at race pace. Plus he has done a variety of things to improve his ability to
maintain good running form when fatigued.
He has improved his 10 bounds distance from 24m to 27m in the last year. This
is an example of a training element that many distance training oriented MD
athletes would never bother with It is obvious to me that this has enabled him
to develop the ability to accelerate and kick better at the end of races. Plus
when we further develop his 5 x 800m rest 3min type of fitness and ability to
run sustained 40min runs that he will be able to move to a much higher level
and not struggle to relax and at race pace and he will be able to kick. This
is an athlete that had pretty ordinray speed 18months ago of about 54-55s 400
but now is in the mid50s range in a 400m and most of it coming from increased
stride length and decreased contact time when running.

I will review the articles shortly on this email newsletter.
regards
Steve Bennett
www.oztrack.com

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