Training Day – 25 April 2021 – Brecon Athletics Track
Process goals for the session
1. For athletes to consider and practice race day preparations and routines
2. For athletes to attempt to implement a race plan in a time trial setting
3. For athletes to evaluate what went well and what could have been improved in their time trail, therefore taking the experience and lessons learned with them into future races
Before training day
Athletes provided with an infographic on Race Day Preparation with six key points to consider for upcoming races:
1. Discuss a race plan
2. Be prepared
3. Nutrition
4. Complete a through warm up
5. Believe in yourself
6. Learn from each race
See the infographic for more details on these six points.
Athletes were encouraged to consider the six points and discuss with their coach before the day of the time trials so that they could practice the elements recommended on the infographic in the time trial. There was then a discussion on the information in the inforgraphic at the start of the training day.
Time Trials
Athletes had been given the time table for the time trials and who would be in each time trial prior to the training day, as would be the case in most races, especially championship races. Athletes were encouraged to start warming up at the correct time so that they were ready for their time trail. Athletes then undertook the time trial (either 1500m and 3000m). After the time trial athletes were encouraged to perform a warm down
After time trials
Athletes were encouraged to go back to the six key race day preparation points on the infographic and consider, with the aid of their coaches, what they did well and what they could improve upon in future races. To help with this, athletes were provided with their 400m splits and final time trial times so they could see if they were even paced or if there were sections when they slowed down or sped up. Athletes were reminded that even paced running is the quickest way to run these distances.
