Training

Training Times and Venues

About Training

Training is the process of stressing the body’s systems to force it to adapt to the demands placed upon it. We do this in several ways.

Endurance athletes, for example build stamina by training their aerobic system to cope with long events (such as running for several km). They also train their bodies to tolerate lactic acid. This involves interval training – lots of repetitions of shorter distances.

You may think of training as just practicing for events. When you come to training expect to do both event practice and training exercise drills. Your coaches will arrange a programme of training, which if you attend all the sessions, will steadily improve your general fitness and event skills.

Event practice does not involve constantly repeating the event. All events can be broken down into parts. For example:

Jumps are composed of four phases;

• Acceleration in the run-up
• Take off
• Flight
• Landing

Each part can be practiced separately. Your coaches will break events down into sections like this and instruct you how to improve each part. Your coach has spent many hours on courses learning how to help you. Try to listen to the changes he is suggesting so you don’t repeat your old mistakes. This will improve your performance.

Before Training

Before training your diet is important.

• Have a drink when you get home from school – so that you are not dehydrated before athletics.
• Eat only a light meal or snack, it is best if you can have dinner after training.
• Don’t eat lots of greasy food as it takes longer to digest.

Whilst the body is digesting a meal, blood is taken from the muscles and sent to the digestive tract. Your training will be inefficient, as your muscles will be receiving a reduced supply of oxygen.

Please make sure that you arrive on time. If you are late, you will still need to warm up, and may miss the important instruction phase, and the endurance games at the beginning of the session.

What To Bring

• Be prepared for training by bringing the following kit:
• A drink – During exercise we should drink a little and often. Dehydration impairs performance, even before you feel thirsty.
• Dress in layers of clothing – put popper pants or jogging trousers over your shorts, then you can take them off if you get too warm.
• A warm top – to wear over your t-shirt.

• Wear good running trainers – NOT SPIKES. Trainers for training, spikes for competition on all weather tracks ONLY.
• Track fees £2 per session.

Parents

Please collect your children promptly at the end of the session. If you are unavoidably delayed please try to contact us. We will look after the children until you can arrive.