HS boy starting track (sprinting) with no previous experience? Any tips?

[Anonymous]

My son is in high school and wants to join the track team. He has no running experience, just mostly rock climbs and occasionally works out with friends. But he's curious to try sprinting. Any tips for a freshman or sophmore just trying sprinting or track for the first time?

[Anonymous]

Sprinting is going to be a popular event that many kids will want to do. Also, there is a strong genetic component. As a track coach and former miler, I’ll say that almost anybody who is thin can become at least a mediocre distance runner if they don’t have asthma and are willing to suffer. Not so much with sprinting.

If your kid isn’t fast, they may not get the opportunity to try sprinting.

[Anonymous]

I would not have him practice sprinting too much on his own. It's easy to get injured.

I WOULD have him make sure he can run a couple of miles a day. Building endurance now will help him at practice.

A typical practice would involve a mile of easy running to warm up, then drills with the speed coach. Then a cool down.

The PP is right -- he may or may not be a natural sprinter. If he's not fantastic at the 100 or 200, the coach may have him try the 400 or 800. Good luck to him!

[Anonymous]

There is a total divide between the sprinters and the distance track runners so if he is a decent runner- he might get put the distance and then he will never sprint race

[Anonymous]

Have him start running now, 20-30 minutes daily after school, minimum, 6 days a week.

Get him fitted for good running shoes at a store like road runner sports or Potomac river runners. Get smart wool running socks too, to prevent blisters.

Optional, Get a watch w a gps function (garmin 45 is $150) to track mileage.

Check the school athletic website or have him email the coach for a pre-season running plan.

Don’t focus on times yet. Focus on building up stamina and a running “base” to prepare for the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sprinting is going to be a popular event that many kids will want to do. Also, there is a strong genetic component. As a track coach and former miler, I’ll say that almost anybody who is thin can become at least a mediocre distance runner if they don’t have asthma and are willing to suffer. Not so much with sprinting.

If your kid isn’t fast, they may not get the opportunity to try sprinting.

You don’t have to thin to be a runner.

[Anonymous]

I was at a district track meet recently and was impressed that sprinters are all shapes and sizes. I would try to guess who was fastest based on my preconceived notions of a “runners physique” and I was wrong 100% of the time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was at a district track meet recently and was impressed that sprinters are all shapes and sizes. I would try to guess who was fastest based on my preconceived notions of a “runners physique” and I was wrong 100% of the time

The comments by PP about genetics above is not about looks at all, but they are 100% right that sprinting is a genetics game with a small training component to strive for that last 10%. You can be a lot more ordinary and be good at the 800m and above just by sheer training and masochism.

If your DS did luck out on genetics, then he will get the most help from hitting the weight room in the winter. A lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sprinting is going to be a popular event that many kids will want to do. Also, there is a strong genetic component. As a track coach and former miler, I’ll say that almost anybody who is thin can become at least a mediocre distance runner if they don’t have asthma and are willing to suffer. Not so much with sprinting.

If your kid isn’t fast, they may not get the opportunity to try sprinting.

You don’t have to thin to be a runner.

You have to be thin to be a good runner at 800m and above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sprinting is going to be a popular event that many kids will want to do. Also, there is a strong genetic component. As a track coach and former miler, I’ll say that almost anybody who is thin can become at least a mediocre distance runner if they don’t have asthma and are willing to suffer. Not so much with sprinting.

If your kid isn’t fast, they may not get the opportunity to try sprinting.

You don’t have to thin to be a runner.

As a former high school miler and adult marathoner who became a powerlifter later in life, I can tell you that I found it easier to run fast at 180 than 220. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Can you find a fitness center/franchise specializing in speed training for youth athletes? We use one and DC's sprinting speed has measurably improved over six months. They do a combination of running for short periods at a very high speed, weight training, and mobility training.

[Anonymous]

My DD was a great sprinter (K through HS) but had issues with shin splints. OP, Google shin splints and look up recommendaitons for how to try to avoid them.

Good luck to your DS!

[Anonymous]

He should definitely tryout. At the least- he will get some good running training and workouts. He might find that he is a good distance runner too.

If you are in NoVA- regionals for indoor track is next week and you can see the high school times from a bunch of local schools.

I have been impressed with the runners- some are even freshman and qualifying for states.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sprinting is going to be a popular event that many kids will want to do. Also, there is a strong genetic component. As a track coach and former miler, I’ll say that almost anybody who is thin can become at least a mediocre distance runner if they don’t have asthma and are willing to suffer. Not so much with sprinting.

If your kid isn’t fast, they may not get the opportunity to try sprinting.

You don’t have to thin to be a runner.

For sprinters--no! The all-state sprinters at our HS are jacked as hell. Very muscular. You see it the NFL--some of those big dudes crossover and sprint in the Olympics.

I always joked that I was built like a sprinter, but did distance. I played soccer and had huge muscular thighs and everyone thought I was a sprinter---but I played center midfield where I ran for 90 minute straight so when I got to college I was doing distance and then marathons.

[Anonymous]

So I am going to answer this as a sprint coach who has coached a few all-American athletes and had a few of them going on to run in college. If he is a freshman, let him try out-- even if he is not the fastest. If he will be a freshman in the fall it's even better, a national coach told me once the kids will get better by just running. If the coach knows how to coach then they would do strength and form work in the fall which does not include sprinting but will make him strong... REMEMBER THE 400 IS A SPRINT TOO... I had a freshman who came to the school running 57, he ran 52 his freshman year by doing strength and form running in the fall. He went on to run 46.xx his senior year. Was not eligible for college because of grades, but was an excellent athlete. Another thing sprints include 100, 200, 400, 800 (depending on the coach), 110 hurdles (speed does not matter but needs to be quick), and 400 hurdles. Also if he is slender he can be good in the high jump, triple jump, and pole vault all include some form of speed. As PP mentioned, DO NOT sprint often, a shin splint is a b*&ch... Multiple talented athletes had to give up the sport because they were double training and got injured.