The aim of all training is to inprove the abilities essential for successful athletic performance. Of the many qualities needed by the track athlete, such as strength, speed, endurance, suppleness and skill, the two basic ones are SPEED and ENDURANCE.
Speed can be defined as the capacity to run a fixed distance in the shortest possible time. Speed, in a greater or less degree is, therefore a component of all track events and some work at competition pace or faster is essential for all running training.
Endurance can be of two types – Aerobic (with oxygen) endurance, wjich applies to activities of long duration but moderate intensity in which the energy expended is balanced by the intake of oxygen; Anaerobic (without oxygen) endurance characterized by activities of shorter duration but high intensity in which the intake of oxygen is insufficient to balance te output of energy and so the muscles incur an ‘oxygen debt’
Running Trainning may be divided into two main systems: Repetition systems – generally carried out on the track and ; ‘Natural’ systems – carried out away from the track, preferably in the country-side or else on the road.
A mixture of these two systems will give the best results.
